Sr Benefits Specialist

Huntsville Hospital Health System•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

Serves as a member of the Human Resources team, providing information and service to employees, managers, and external customers. The Senior Benefits Specialist leads benefits projects, including implementing new benefits, making benefit changes, introducing new carriers or partners, and onboarding new groups to the benefits program and Lawson. The role also assists with coordinating the Huntsville Hospital benefits program, conducting new employee orientation and other educational sessions, processing employee benefit changes, and supporting employee recognition programs and events. The specialist advises employees on eligibility and provisions for health, dental, vision, 401(k), 457(b), group life insurance, and short- and long-term disability plans. The role prepares and supports employee benefits communications and booklets, enters new-hire and miscellaneous benefits data, answers benefits department and front desk calls, and provides front desk backup as needed. The role leads annual benefits Open Enrollment across the HH EMS System and develops and delivers benefits education and communications across a multi-site organization. It coordinates with internal teams, affiliated hospitals, consultants, carriers, vendors, and external resources to support compliant and understandable benefit plans, employee education, and effective project delivery. The specialist may administer designated programs, including retirement plans, FSA, HSA, and COBRA, oversee related funding and data integrity, identify and implement process improvements and audit procedures, and support ongoing benefits administration and compliance work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college; comparable education and experience will be considered.
At least two years of Human Resources experience working with or administering employee benefit plans.
Excellent public speaking skills and comfort speaking in front of groups.
Ability to multitask, manage projects, and collaborate with internal and System teams.
Strong attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

A degree in Human Resources, Business Management, or Marketing/Public Relations is preferred.
Experience in Marketing/Public Relations, public speaking, business writing, or event planning is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead annual benefits Open Enrollment across the HH EMS System, coordinating the annual guide, timelines, system reviews, HRIS updates, internal teams, and external resources.
Collaborate with internal and system-wide teams and consultants to support legal compliance, clear benefits communications, and employee decision-making.
Design and implement benefits education and communications, including writing and delivering in-person classes, developing targeted videos, conducting pop-up sessions, and evaluating ways to improve communications.
Work with Corporate University and/or external resources to launch classes that meet employee needs.
Plan and lead periodic System Benefits meetings, coordinate knowledge-sharing resources, visit affiliated hospitals, and build working relationships across sites.
Manage benefits onboarding projects when a new population joins the benefits program and Lawson, including leading transition meetings, coordinating with HRIS, supporting payroll tests and go-live, and training new groups on benefits, Lawson entry, and vendor information processes.
Identify administrative issues and opportunities to improve benefit plans, analyze them, and develop and implement solutions.
As assigned, administer benefit programs such as the HH EMS retirement plans, FSA, HSA, and COBRA, working with vendors on data integrity, participant education, plan design, administration, and changes.
Ensure timely and accurate funding of HH Health System and HH EMS retirement plans and HSA for regular payroll cycles and quarterly employer contributions; resolve funding issues related to payroll changes.
Implement programs as needed, such as onboarding groups to FMLA Source, rolling out Total Rewards Statements, and improving communication about employee discounts.
Work with the HR management team to evaluate and recommend cybersecurity preparations that support continued departmental services during a cyberattack.
Research options for additional System employee benefits, discuss alternatives with System teams, and recommend changes.
Identify and implement audit procedures for benefits processes, including Open Enrollment.
Develop relationships with consultants, carriers, and benefit vendors.
Monitor open and upcoming projects to support effective progress and closure.
Perform daily administrative work as needed, including benefits data entry, researching and answering employee questions, coordinating updates, processing education reimbursement, assisting with ACA compliance, handling compensation data, and coordinating issues with HRIS.
Manage multiple tasks and projects, collaborate with internal and System teams, and maintain strong attention to detail.
Conduct new employee orientation and other informational education sessions.
Counsel and advise employees on benefit eligibility, provisions, and related matters.
Prepare employee benefit booklets and communications such as monthly articles and flyers.
Answer benefits department and front desk telephones and provide front desk backup as needed.