US Benefits Consultant

Owens & Minor • Richmond, VA

6d • $115,000

About The Position

The Benefits Consultant plays a key role in administering and optimizing the organization’s U.S. Health & Welfare and recognition programs. This role ensures seamless operations, high‑quality vendor performance, and exceptional employee experience across all benefit offerings. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, strong analytical capability, and a service‑oriented mindset to support a growing global Total Rewards function.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4–7 years of experience in benefits administration, consulting, or vendor management.
• Strong understanding of Health & Welfare plan operations, compliance rules, and vendor ecosystem.
• Ability to interact with all levels of staff using strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive employee situations, with discretion and professionalism, while fostering trust.
• Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate challenges and recommend proactive strategies for benefits administration
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a commitment to delivering exceptional service.

Nice To Haves

• CEBS, CBP, SHRM‑CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR certification.
• Experience supporting recognition programs.
• Familiarity with HRIS platforms and integrations.

Responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day administration of all U.S. Health & Welfare plans, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits.
• Oversee eligibility, enrollment processes, plan updates, and issue resolution.
• Partner with HR Operations, Payroll, and external administrators to troubleshoot and resolve escalated employee benefit concerns.
• Support annual open enrollment, including testing, proofing, and employee communications.
• Serve as primary point of contact for benefit administration vendors (H&W, COBRA, FSA/HSA, EAP, telemedicine, and other third‑party providers).
• Monitor vendor SLAs, conduct performance reviews, track escalations, and drive service improvements.
• Coordinate with brokers, consultants, and carriers on renewals, system feeds, and corrective actions.
• Maintain documentation of plan provisions, vendor contacts, and process guides.
• Support the implementation of new benefit programs, vendor transitions, and maintain strong collaborative working relationships.
• Administer and support employee recognition programs (e.g., service awards, spot awards, global recognition tools).
• Monitor program usage, vendor reporting, and alignment with company culture.
• Recommend enhancements to improve participation and impact.
• Ensure programs meet ERISA, ACA, IRS, DOL, and other regulatory requirements.
• Maintain plan documentation, SPDs, SBCs, and regulatory filings in partnership with Legal/Compliance.
• Support internal and external audits, including SOC reports, plan audits, and operational reviews.
• Provide high‑touch support to employees and HR Business Partners regarding benefits eligibility, coverage, claims, and processes.
• Participate in benefits and HRO initiatives to improve processes, reduce manual effort, and increase operational efficiency.
• Develop and deliver employee-facing communications, FAQs, guides, and presentations that foster understanding of benefits.
• Support benefits education sessions, onboarding, and targeted engagement campaigns.
• Prepare and analyze routine and ad-hoc benefits reports related to enrollment, costs, claims trends, and utilization.
• Identify process efficiencies and partner with HRIS on system improvements.
• Maintain accurate data files, audits, and process controls to ensure data integrity.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Healthcare Plan - Medical, dental, and vision plans start on day one of employment for full-time teammates.
• Educational Assistance - We offer educational assistance to all eligible teammates enrolled in an approved, accredited collegiate program.
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance and Disability - We offer employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
• Voluntary Supplemental Programs – We offer additional options to secure your financial future including supplemental life, hospitalization, critical illness, and other insurance programs.
• Support for your Growing Family – Adoption assistance, fertility benefits (in medical plan) and parental leave are available for teammates planning for a family.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and 401(k) - We offer these voluntary financial programs to help teammates prepare for their future, as well as other voluntary benefits.
• Paid Leave - In addition to sick days and short-term leave, we offer holidays, vacation days, personal days, and additional types of leave – including parental leave.
• Well-Being – Also included in our offering is a Teammate Assistance Program (TAP), Calm Health, Cancer Resources Services, and discount programs – all at no cost to you.

What This Job Offers

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