HR Operations and Benefits Administrator — ADP WFN
About The Position
PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC) is seeking an experienced HRIS and Benefits Specialist to own day-to-day ADP administration and employee benefits operations for a workforce of approximately 45 or more employees. Reporting to the Senior HR Manager, this hands-on role maintains accurate employee data, administers benefits throughout the employee lifecycle, resolves employee and vendor issues, and establishes reliable, documented processes. The specialist independently manages recurring work, follows issues through resolution, and identifies matters requiring HR leadership approval. The position is a six-month contract with potential for extension or conversion. It is based in Bedford, Massachusetts, and provides dedicated operational capacity as PIRC continues to grow. PharmaEssentia is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on biologic therapeutics in hematology, oncology, and immunology. PIRC, established in 2023, advances next-generation therapeutics through translational science, protein engineering, and novel therapeutic modalities.
Requirements
- At least five years of relevant HR operations, HRIS, or benefits administration experience, including direct ownership of employee benefits administration.
- Recent hands-on ADP Workforce Now administrator experience, including employee data maintenance, benefits setup, reporting, and troubleshooting.
- Demonstrated experience managing open enrollment, carrier invoice reconciliation, benefits deductions, retirement-plan administration, and broker or vendor relationships.
- Working knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, Section 125, ACA reporting, and Massachusetts leave-related benefits administration, with the ability to recognize when specialist guidance is needed.
- Strong Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables, and reconciliations.
- Sound judgment, discretion, clear employee communication, and reliable follow-through.
- Relevant degree or equivalent experience.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with PIRC’s specific ADP product.
- Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences experience.
- Experience supporting a small, growing organization.
- CEBS, SHRM, or HRCI certification.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary day-to-day administrator for PIRC’s ADP environment, maintaining employee and organizational records, approved compensation and status changes, onboarding and offboarding transactions, and applicable time-off settings.
- Administer approved ADP workflows and role-based access; support employee self-service; troubleshoot system issues with ADP, document resolutions, and escalate unresolved problems.
- Maintain and test benefits eligibility rules, plan setup, enrollment workflows, deduction codes, and carrier connections with ADP and benefit vendors, obtaining approval before material configuration changes.
- Audit employee, enrollment, and deduction data; reconcile ADP data with carrier and payroll records; produce headcount, benefits, and exception reports for HR and Finance.
- Administer PIRC-sponsored benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, tax-advantaged accounts, and other programs as offered.
- Manage new-hire enrollments, qualifying life events, dependent changes, beneficiary updates, and coverage terminations, verifying eligibility, documentation, effective dates, and timely processing across systems.
- Serve as the first point of contact for employee benefits questions; explain plans and enrollment procedures, coordinate coverage and claims issues with vendors, and track cases through resolution.
- Coordinate annual open enrollment, including maintaining the calendar, preparing employee communications, testing ADP setup and rates, coordinating vendor sessions, monitoring elections, and confirming carrier enrollment and payroll deductions.
- Reconcile monthly carrier invoices and eligibility files, investigate discrepancies, obtain credits or corrections, and submit validated invoices to Finance for approval and payment.
- Coordinate retirement-plan eligibility and enrollment, contribution and loan data, and vendor reconciliations with Payroll and the recordkeeper; support required testing and reporting with plan advisers.
- Administer benefits aspects of employee leaves and separations, including coverage continuation, employee premium tracking, reinstatements, and timely COBRA notifications through the designated administrator.
- Maintain the benefits compliance calendar and required records; coordinate applicable notices, disclosures, census data, filings, and audit support with the broker, third-party administrators, HR, and counsel.
- Manage routine broker, carrier, ADP, and administrator interactions; support renewals with accurate census data and implement approved plan changes.
- Document standard operating procedures, recurring deadlines, issue logs, and backup instructions; protect confidential employee information through secure handling and access controls.
- Provide the Senior HR Manager with a concise weekly update on completed work, unresolved issues, upcoming deadlines, and decisions required.
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What This Job Offers
Education Level
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