Benefits Specialist

66degrees•Chicago, IL

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive HR Coordinator to support our growing mid-sized consulting firm. This role is the operational backbone of our HR team, blending hands-on administrative support with frontline employee care. You will focus on executing smooth HR processes, coordinating onboarding/offboarding, maintaining compliance, and serving as a reliable point of contact for our team members. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in HR fundamentals, thrives in a dynamic environment, and is eager to optimize daily HR operations.

Requirements

1-3 years of dedicated HR administrative or coordinator experience, preferably within a professional services or consulting environment.
Proficiency with HRIS platforms (e.g., Rippling, Workday, BambooHR) and standard office productivity tools (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).
Solid baseline understanding of US employment laws, I-9 compliance, and HR best practices.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer-service mindset.
Proven ability to handle sensitive, confidential information with the utmost integrity and professionalism.
Superior time-management skills and the ability to juggle multiple operational tasks without letting details slip through the cracks.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day HR administrative processes, ensuring 100% accuracy and data integrity within our HRIS.
Maintain digital employee records, compliance files, and HR documentation in alignment with federal, state, and local labor laws.
Assist in generating routine HR metrics and data reports for leadership as needed.
Coordinate the end-to-end onboarding experience, including scheduling orientations, preparing new hire packages, and ensuring all compliance paperwork is completed.
Partner with IT and Operations to ensure new hires have the necessary tools and system access on day one.
Facilitate standard offboarding workflows, including coordinating exit interviews, managing equipment returns, and processing system terminations.
Serve as the primary, welcoming contact for employee inquiries regarding general policies, benefits, and standard HR procedures.
Assist employees with basic benefits enrollment questions and escalate complex inquiries to external partners or senior HR leadership.
Partner with the finance/payroll team to track and submit accurate documentation for compensation changes, promotions, and leaves of absence.
Identify bottlenecks in daily administrative tasks and suggest creative ways to streamline HR service delivery.
Provide hands-on assistance with annual HR initiatives, such as open enrollment, performance review cycles, and team engagement events.