Sr. Benefits Specialist

Alera Group

18d•$80,000 - $90,000•Remote

About The Position

At Alera Group, we help businesses navigate risk with confidence. Our Employee Benefits teams deliver thoughtful, people-centered solutions that support organizations and the employees they serve. We’re hiring a Benefits Specialist who will play a key role in administering leave and benefits programs while ensuring compliance, accuracy, and a strong employee experience. This role serves as a subject-matter expert in leave of absence programs and partners closely with HR, Payroll, vendors, and employees to ensure seamless, compliant operations across multiple jurisdictions. The Benefits Specialist is responsible for overseeing leave of absence programs while supporting core benefits administration. This role partners closely with internal teams and external vendors to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant execution of leave and benefits processes. Success in this role looks like delivering a seamless employee experience, maintaining strong compliance across evolving regulations, and ensuring operational accuracy across leave and benefits programs. Founded in 2017, Alera Group has grown to become the 14th largest broker of U.S. business. We are passionate about our clients’ success in Employee Benefits, Property & Casualty Insurance, and Financial Services. With offices nationwide, our collaborative approach allows us to deliver national strength with local service. If you’re someone who enjoys navigating complexity, ensuring compliance, and supporting employees through important life events, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while growing your expertise in benefits and leave administration.

Requirements

3+ years of experience supporting leave of absence programs (FMLA, ADA, disability, and state leave programs)
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local leave laws and regulations
Experience working with benefits programs including health, welfare, and retirement plans
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Nice To Haves

Experience with workers’ compensation programs
Knowledge of ERISA and benefits compliance regulations
Experience supporting 401(k) administration and retirement plan processes
Background working with HRIS and vendor platforms
Experience collaborating with Payroll, HR Business Partners, and external vendors

Responsibilities

Oversee and coordinate all leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA, disability, workers’ compensation, and state/local statutory leaves
Serve as the primary liaison with leave, disability, and workers’ compensation vendors
Interpret and apply federal, state, and local leave laws to ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions
Guide employees, managers, and HR partners on leave policies, processes, and responsibilities
Coordinate return-to-work processes and ADA accommodations in partnership with HR and vendors
Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate pay impacts, benefit continuation, and leave status tracking
Monitor state leave portals and ensure compliance with required deadlines
Audit leave data and documentation to ensure accuracy and consistency
Support administration of health, welfare, and retirement programs, including COBRA compliance
Manage eligibility, enrollments, and terminations with a high degree of accuracy
Respond to employee inquiries regarding medical, dental, vision, retirement, and leave-related benefits
Assist with retirement plan administration, including funding, audits, and reporting
Support 401(k) inquiries including contributions and enrollment changes
Perform audits and quality checks within HRIS and vendor systems
Support open enrollment planning, testing, and execution
Partner with vendors, consultants, Payroll, and HR teams on data, eligibility, and compliance interpretation
Participate in compliance and technical discussions related to leave and benefits programs
Support new hire orientation by explaining benefits and leave offerings
Maintain documentation standards to ensure accurate and consistent records
Contribute to process improvements that enhance efficiency and employee experience