Benefits Specialist

The Sharon at SouthPark•Charlotte, NC

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist administers, ensures compliance with, and continuously improves the organization’s employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement plans, leave programs, and other benefits. The role is the primary point of contact for employees with benefits questions and works with vendors, insurance carriers, and internal stakeholders to deliver benefits services accurately and efficiently. The specialist manages compliance, audits, and reporting, and supports the employee experience through clear communication and guidance throughout the employment lifecycle. The position administers benefit enrollments and life-event changes, coordinates open enrollment, maintains accurate records across HRIS, payroll, and vendor systems, and manages the organization’s 401(k) plan. It also administers leave programs, supports employees and managers through leave processes, manages vendor relationships, and coordinates compliance activities, audits, filings, and reporting. The role analyzes utilization and trends, reconciles billing and eligibility information, and assists with benefits system implementation and maintenance. The position reports to the VP of People & Culture and has no supervisory responsibilities. It is primarily based in a clean, well-lit, climate-controlled office with generally quiet to moderate noise. The role may involve exposure to inside environmental conditions and, on occasion, blood, other body fluids, and residents with communicable diseases. Employees must provide proof of influenza vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience administering employee benefits and leave programs.
Experience managing 401(k) plans, ACA compliance, and health and welfare benefits.
Bachelor’s degree in human resources or business administration, or equivalent work experience.
Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration and applicable laws and regulations.
Working knowledge of ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and retirement plan administration.
Excellent customer service and employee relations skills.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
Proficiency with HRIS, benefits administration systems, Microsoft Excel, and reporting tools.
Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex benefits information to employees at all levels.

Nice To Haves

Experience with benefits audits, compliance reporting, and vendor management.
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) certification.
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
Related benefits or leave administration certifications.

Responsibilities

Administer health and welfare programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness, FSA, HSA, and voluntary benefits.
Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and annual open enrollment activities.
Maintain accurate benefit records and employee elections in HRIS and carrier systems, and coordinate eligibility and coverage updates with providers and payroll.
Lead open enrollment and benefit communications for health and welfare and retirement plans.
Serve as a liaison with benefit vendors and consultants and resolve employee benefit issues.
Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and other applicable regulations; manage benefits compliance reporting, including CMS reporting and Form 5500 management.
Administer the 401(k) plan, including enrollments, contributions, eligibility tracking, loans and hardship distributions, and employee education.
Work with retirement plan vendors, recordkeepers, and advisors; monitor regulatory compliance and support plan audits and reporting.
Administer leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, short- and long-term disability, military leave, personal leave, and state and local leave programs.
Coordinate leave administration with third-party administrators and internal stakeholders; guide employees and managers through the leave process.
Track leave utilization and ensure compliance, documentation, and reporting requirements are met.
Respond to employee questions about benefit plans, eligibility, coverage, claims, and other benefits matters.
Educate employees about benefits through meetings, presentations, onboarding sessions, and written communications; develop and maintain benefits materials and resources.
Manage relationships with carriers, brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, and retirement plan providers; monitor vendor performance and coordinate issue resolution.
Assist with renewals, plan evaluations, benchmarking, and vendor selection.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local benefits regulations, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, Medicare reporting, and Section 125 requirements.
Coordinate benefits-related audits and regulatory reviews; prepare compliance documentation, reporting, and annual filings.
Audit benefit plans, employee data, and vendor invoices for accuracy and compliance.
Maintain benefits data integrity across HRIS, payroll, and vendor systems; reconcile benefit billing and eligibility reports.
Analyze benefits utilization and trends to identify process improvements and cost efficiencies.
Assist with benefits system implementations, enhancements, testing, and ongoing maintenance.