Senior Benefits Specialist

Southland Industries • Garden Grove, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Benefits Specialist supports the day-to-day administration and continuous improvement of employee health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs. This role combines hands-on benefits administration, employee support, data management, compliance, and vendor coordination with opportunities to improve processes and support benefits-related projects. The ideal candidate will have strong benefits administration experience, proficiency in Workday or a similar HRIS benefits administration platform, excellent attention to detail, and a customer-focused approach. Experience with self-funded health plans is preferred but not required.

Requirements

• 5+ years of benefits administration experience preferred.
• Strong proficiency with Workday or a similar HRIS benefits administration platform required.
• Experience administering health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs.
• Working knowledge of applicable benefits regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA.
• Experience with self-funded health plans is preferred but not required.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to perform high-volume data entry accurately and efficiently.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to research discrepancies and identify solutions.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits information clearly to employees.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with HR, Payroll, Finance, Accounting, IT, and external vendors.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and increased efficiency.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• CEBS or CBP certification preferred but not required.
• Construction or engineering industry experience is a plus.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with self-funded health plans is preferred but not required.
• CEBS or CBP certification preferred but not required.
• Construction or engineering industry experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Administer health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k) plans.
• Perform benefits-related data entry and system maintenance, ensuring employee and dependent information is accurate and processed timely.
• Serve as a primary resource for employee benefits questions, providing responsive and knowledgeable customer service.
• Assist employees with enrollments, qualifying life events, benefit changes, and other benefits-related needs.
• Research and resolve benefit discrepancies, eligibility issues, and employee concerns, partnering with carriers and third-party administrators as needed.
• Support leave of absence and other benefits administration activities as needed.
• Assist with annual open enrollment, including system preparation, employee communications, enrollment support, and post-enrollment audits.
• Utilize Workday or a similar HRIS benefits administration system to process, maintain, and audit benefits data.
• Support benefits-related system implementations, integrations, testing, upgrades, and ongoing enhancements.
• Perform regular audits and reconciliations to identify and resolve data discrepancies.
• Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, Accounting, and IT to ensure accurate benefits data and system functionality.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes, improve workflows, and increase the efficiency and scalability of benefits administration.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of benefits procedures, documentation, and standard operating processes.
• Support compliance with applicable federal and state benefit regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA.
• Maintain relationships with brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators to support effective service delivery and issue resolution.
• Assist with benefits plan audits, required reporting, and compliance activities.
• Support benchmarking and evaluation of benefit programs to ensure offerings remain competitive and aligned with organizational needs.
• Support the development and distribution of employee benefits communications, presentations, guides, and educational materials.
• Participate in informational sessions and open enrollment meetings to help employees understand available benefit programs.
• Support benefits-related projects, including system enhancements, process improvements, mergers and acquisitions, and other organizational initiatives.
• Provide reporting and analysis related to benefits enrollment, utilization, costs, and other program metrics as needed.
• Collaborate across HR and business teams to support evolving benefits and employee needs.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
• Disability income protection insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
• Wellness benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior