Senior Benefits Consultant

PEPL•New York, NY

About The Position

The Benefits Consultant is responsible for the implementation, configuration, administration, optimization, and ongoing support of employee benefits programs and benefits technology platforms. This role serves as the primary liaison between Human Resources, Payroll, Benefits Providers, vendors, and employees to ensure accurate benefit plan administration, system integrity, compliance, and exceptional service delivery. The ideal candidate combines deep benefits administration implementation expertise with strong technical system administration capabilities, data analytics, process improvement skills, and a consultative approach to supporting both internal stakeholders and external clients.

Requirements

3–7+ years of benefits administration, benefits consulting, or HRIS administration experience.
Experience implementing and administering benefits technology platforms.
Experience managing open enrollment and benefits vendor relationships.
Strong knowledge of employee benefit plans and compliance requirements.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including data analysis and reporting.
Experience with carrier feeds, EDI integrations, and file management.
Strong understanding of HRIS configuration and workflow management.
Ability to analyze complex data and identify process improvement opportunities.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a consulting, brokerage, HR outsourcing, PEO, or professional services environment preferred.
CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist)
SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP
PHR or SPHR
Benefits Administration or HRIS certifications

Responsibilities

Serve as subject matter expert for health, welfare, retirement, wellness, voluntary, and leave of absence programs.
Consult with clients and business leaders regarding benefits strategy, plan design, enrollment processes, and employee communications.
Support annual open enrollment planning, execution, testing, and post-enrollment audits.
Manage life event changes, eligibility administration, dependent verification, and benefits reconciliations.
Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, FMLA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
Partner with carriers, brokers, TPAs, and vendors to resolve escalated benefit issues.
Conduct regular audits to ensure accuracy of employee and dependent benefit elections.
Serve as primary system administrator for benefits administration platforms and HRIS systems.
Configure benefit plans, eligibility rules, rates, workflows, enrollment events, carrier feeds, and reporting structures.
Lead implementation and enhancement projects for benefits technology solutions.
Maintain system tables, plan configurations, and data integrity across benefit programs.
Develop, test, and validate system changes, upgrades, and enhancements.
Manage carrier connections, EDI feeds, and vendor integrations.
Troubleshoot and resolve benefits system issues and data discrepancies.
Create and maintain system documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials.
Lead benefits implementation projects from discovery through go-live and post-implementation support.
Gather business requirements and translate them into system configuration specifications.
Coordinate project timelines, deliverables, testing activities, and stakeholder communications.
Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) and ensure successful deployment of new benefit programs and system enhancements.
Facilitate client and employee training sessions.
Manage multiple implementations simultaneously while meeting project deadlines.
Develop and maintain benefits reporting dashboards and metrics.
Analyze enrollment trends, participation rates, utilization patterns, and cost drivers.
Perform payroll and carrier billing reconciliations.
Create executive-level reports and recommendations regarding benefits effectiveness and cost management.
Support annual budgeting and renewal processes through data analysis.
Provide expert-level support for employee and client benefit inquiries.
Assist with escalated benefits issues requiring advanced problem-solving.
Develop employee communications, enrollment materials, and educational resources.
Deliver high-quality customer service while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.