Senior Benefits Specialist

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research•Boulder, CO

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

UCAR is seeking an experienced Senior Benefits Specialist for its Total Rewards team. The role primarily focuses on retirement benefits, including independent administration of retirement plans, guiding employees through retirement, ensuring compliance, supporting audits, and coordinating with payroll and benefit providers. The specialist also administers assigned health and welfare benefits and may provide backup support for leave administration. The position supports accurate and compliant benefits administration in accordance with plan documents, organizational policies, and applicable regulations, while strengthening processes, internal controls, and employee service. The role requires hands-on experience administering retirement plans and at least one other employee benefits program, supporting a large employee population, and independently resolving complex issues with sound judgment and care for employees. The position is available to candidates seeking in-person or hybrid work. Hybrid work combines three days in person and two days remote; all work must be performed within the United States, excluding U.S. territories. The role is regular, and visa sponsorship is not available for this position. The hiring range is $91,340 to $114,170, with final compensation based on relevant education, experience, and skills. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on November 15, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Seven years of progressively responsible employee benefits administration experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience independently administering retirement plans, performing financial reconciliation, resolving complex issues, and supporting plan audits.
Hands-on experience working with Human Capital Management (HCM) systems.
Experience administering employee benefits for a large employee population, typically 1,000 or more employees.
In-depth knowledge of 403(b) and 457(b) plan compliance, fiduciary standards, non-discrimination testing, and statutory regulations governing benefits, including ERISA, Section 125, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and HIPAA.
Strong numerical ability to perform complex payroll deduction audits, reconcile billing discrepancies, validate participant census data, and lead audit preparation.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to counsel employees sensitively on retirement transitions and deliver group presentations.
Ability to assess administrative workflows, diagnose root causes of data discrepancies, and implement process improvements.
High discretion and rigorous attention to detail when handling sensitive financial records, medical information, and confidential personnel data.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with the Workday HCM system.
Experience administering a 403(b) plan.
Relevant professional industry certifications, such as Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefit Professional (CBP).

Responsibilities

Administer UCAR’s 403(b) and 457(b) plans in accordance with plan documents, procedures, laws, regulations, and other requirements.
Review, process, and audit retirement plan eligibility, enrollment, contribution elections, and other plan transactions.
Coordinate with retirement plan vendors to support compliant administration and complete corrections as needed.
Guide employees through the retirement transition process, including timelines, benefit coverage options, and administrative steps.
Administer new Secure 2.0 Roth requirements, advise impacted employees about requirements and options, and audit contribution limits.
Coordinate required benefit notices, filings such as Form 5500, and non-discrimination testing with leadership, legal counsel, and external providers.
Monitor changes to retirement laws, regulations, and guidance; assess their implications and coordinate updates to plan administration, procedures, and employee communications.
Administer assigned health and welfare benefits, which may include medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, LTD, FSAs, HSAs, COBRA continuation coverage, and retiree benefits.
Review eligibility and process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, coverage changes, and terminations within required timelines, as assigned.
Respond to employee and retiree inquiries and coordinate resolution of coverage, claims, and service issues with vendors.
Review payroll deductions, vendor invoices, and eligibility records; identify discrepancies and coordinate corrections with Payroll and HR Operations.
Support open enrollment, plan renewals, system testing, vendor implementations, and cross-functional backup coverage.
Serve as a primary administrative resource for external retirement plan audits and lead or support compliance reviews and audits across benefit programs.
Compile, validate, and reconcile participant census data, payroll records, and supporting documentation for auditors.
Apply internal controls, including documented approvals, reconciliations, secondary reviews, and appropriate escalation.
Maintain complete, accurate, confidential, and auditable records, documenting administrative decisions, corrections, and supporting rationale.
Protect confidential information through secure handling, storage, and transmission; restrict access and disclosure to authorized individuals; and report suspected unauthorized access or disclosure according to UCAR procedures.
Administer or provide backup support for leave administration.
Develop benefits communications, intranet resources, and standard operating procedures; deliver benefit orientations and presentations.
Identify workflow improvements to simplify processes, improve service, reduce errors, and contribute to HR system testing and reporting enhancements.
Monitor project deadlines, coordinate vendor deliverables, and serve as a technical peer resource to HR colleagues on complex benefits questions.