Benefits Specialist - Compensation/Benefits - Days

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport•Gulfport, MS

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist administers the organization’s employee benefits programs, including health and wellbeing, retirement, and supplemental offerings. The Specialist helps employees understand benefits and retirement programs and processes, and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. The role organizes and oversees new employee orientation and annual Open Enrollment, providing guidance on benefit elections and programs. It also supports employees and vendors with benefits-related questions, maintains participation and contribution records, processes benefit events and changes in the HR system, and coordinates with Payroll and plan providers to ensure accurate, timely processing. The Specialist assists with tuition reimbursement and retirement benefit calculations, and creates and maintains benefits materials and forms.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Two years of experience administering employee benefits and retirement programs.
Strong communication skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

Administer the organization’s benefits programs.
Provide employees with assistance and guidance about benefit programs and eligibility requirements.
Respond to employee and plan provider requests for information about benefits plans.
Maintain records and databases related to benefit plan participation or contributions.
Process benefit events and changes in the Benefits Administration HR system, escalating complex issues to the Benefits Analyst as necessary.
Liaise between employees and vendors to resolve benefit-related problems and support effective plan utilization and a positive employee experience.
Assist in administering the tuition reimbursement program.
Complete retirement benefit calculations upon request and meet with employees as needed to discuss retirement options and estimates.
Organize and oversee employee benefit events.
Conduct new-hire orientation and guide new hires on benefits eligibility, costs, coverage, and enrollment.
Facilitate Open Enrollment by creating schedules, coordinating vendor attendance, updating benefits documents, and distributing enrollment materials.
Create and maintain benefits handbooks, handouts, correspondence, and other necessary forms.
Respond to and resolve employee inquiries.
Coordinate employee benefit changes with Payroll and plan providers to ensure accurate and timely processing.
Advise employees on benefits eligibility, costs, and coverage and provide benefits information upon request.