Benefits Specialist

ISO New England Inc.•Holyoke, MA

73d•$105,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist plays a key role in the delivery of an exceptional employee benefits experience. This position partners closely with the Total Rewards & HRIS team, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to ensure compliant, efficient administration across a broad portfolio of benefit programs, including health insurance, life/disability, voluntary benefits, retirement, leaves of absence and accommodations. The ideal candidate brings strong judgment, a consultative approach, and the ability to translate complex plan provisions into clear guidance for employees and managers. The Benefits Specialist leads operational execution, drives process optimization, and supports the organization’s total rewards strategy, all while helping employees navigate some of life’s most important moments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, Psychology, or a related field (advanced degree and/or HR or benefits certification(s) a plus)
3+ years of experience supporting a variety of benefit programs including leaves of absence
Working knowledge of benefits-related regulations and governance (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA/state leave, ADA); the ability to interpret and apply regulations and plan provisions
Experience with HRIS/benefits administration platforms (e.g., Workday, Dayforce, Alight, Benefitfocus, bswift), including testing, configurations, and file feeds
Demonstrated ability to manage highly sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality
Ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritize effectively, problem-solve, and deliver on tight timelines
Strong written and verbal communication skills – adaptable as needed to fit the situation, message, and recipient(s)
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
Strong analytical thinking skills, organization skills, and a keen eye for attention to detail

Nice To Haves

advanced degree and/or HR or benefits certification(s) a plus

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day administration and continuous improvement of multiple benefit processes, partnering with the Total Rewards team to align delivery with employee experience, compliance, and benefits strategy
Coordinate and oversee core benefits operations (enrollments, life events, vendor file feeds, reconciliations), and create and maintain standard operating procedures
Serve as primary point of contact and subject matter expert for select benefit offerings and processes (e.g., education reimbursement, pension processing, retiree health benefits), owning workflows, tracking, and driving related communications
Assist with leave of absence and accommodation administration, ensuring timely follow up and clear guidance to employees, managers, and Payroll, as well as proper vendor case management
Manage day-to-day benefits vendor relationships, ensuring strong partnerships, efficient administration, ongoing process improvement, and timely issue escalation/resolution
Create and distribute engaging benefits communications that translate complex topics into clear decision support for employees and leaders
Drive annual open enrollment for active and retiree populations—project planning, system readiness/testing, vendor coordination, and employee-ready communications
Lead special projects as assigned, including working closely with the Total Rewards team to implement strategic benefits initiatives
Support benefits budgeting processes, annual benefits audits, invoice processing and reconciliation, and data collection and reporting
Serve as first point of contact for employee and retiree inquiries; provide basic education on plan provisions and next steps, and resolve issues with sound judgment, escalating complex cases as needed
Support the planning and coordination of benefits-related webinars, meetings, and required mailings
Identify efficiencies and opportunities to streamline and automate routine processes