Specialist, Talent - Benefits

Uncommon Schools • New York, NY

12d • $78,800 - $92,700 • Onsite

About The Position

The Specialist, Talent - Benefits supports a comprehensive total rewards experience for Uncommon Schools staff by administering employee benefits programs and providing accurate, timely, and empathetic guidance on benefits questions. Working with internal teams and external vendors, the role manages day-to-day benefits operations, open enrollment, and compliance, helping staff feel supported and able to focus on student outcomes.

The position administers health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans; processes employee benefit changes in the HRIS; audits vendor billing; supports staff and escalated claims issues; and collaborates with payroll and talent teams. It also supports annual open enrollment, maintains benefits records and reporting, improves administrative workflows, prepares compliance submissions, and monitors regulatory updates.

This is an in-person role requiring at least three days each week at the Central Office at 100 Church Street in downtown Manhattan. Candidates must be based in the NYC or Newark region and travel monthly to regional locations, such as Rochester, Boston, or Camden, for two to three days at a time. The role has an immediate start. The full compensation range is $78,800–$92,700 per year; qualified new hires typically start at or near $83,400.

Requirements

• 3–4 years of relevant experience in benefits administration, human resources, or total rewards.
• Strong knowledge of health and welfare benefits administration, retirement plans, and leaves of absence management.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations related to employee benefits, including ACA, FMLA, COBRA, and ERISA.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms and spreadsheet tools for data tracking, auditing, and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a customer-service orientation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using human resources management systems (HRMS) or specialized benefits administration platforms.
• Prior experience working in a multi-site or mission-driven organization.
• Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or related HR credential.

Responsibilities

• Administer day-to-day operations for health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans.
• Process employee enrollments, terminations, status changes, and qualifying life events in the HRIS.
• Audit vendor billing statements, resolve discrepancies, and process invoices for payment.
• Serve as the main point of contact for staff inquiries about benefits coverage, eligibility, claims, and enrollment.
• Communicate clearly and empathetically to resolve complex benefits issues and improve the employee experience.
• Collaborate with payroll and talent teams on premium deductions, benefits setup, and onboarding and offboarding workflows.
• Partner with third-party vendors and brokers to resolve escalated claims issues and maintain service standards.
• Support planning and execution of annual open enrollment, including communications, system configuration, and vendor setup.
• Maintain accurate benefits records, documentation, and reporting in HR systems.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency.
• Draft and update benefits communications, guides, and educational materials.
• Ensure benefits programs comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, ACA, FMLA, and COBRA.
• Prepare data submissions for annual compliance reporting, audits, and mandatory filings.
• Monitor regulatory updates and help keep organizational policies and plan documentation current.

Benefits

• 19 days of paid time off.
• Three weeks of paid Winter and Summer organization-wide holidays.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 403(b) retirement savings program with employer match.
• Paid leave of absence options, including parental, medical, and disability leave.
• Mental health and counseling support and wellness benefits.
• Pre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health savings accounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed