Position Overview:The Benefits Specialist is a strategic and operational role responsible for overseeing employee benefits programs as well as optimizing processes and company policy related to employee benefits. This position plays a critical role in enhancing the employee experience, driving cost-effective benefits strategy, and leading major initiatives such as plan design changes, carrier transitions, annual open enrollment and benefits plan compliance.
Workplace Location: This is a Remote position, however, candidates must live in either Florida or Colorado.
Key Responsibilities:
Administer and manage employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and voluntary benefits.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, resolving issues related to eligibility, coverage, claims, and life event changes.
Lead open enrollment efforts, including communication strategy, employee education, and HRIS updates.
Maintain and audit benefits data in the HRIS to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a smooth employee experience.
Proactively monitor benefits utilization and trends, identifying cost drivers and opportunities for savings.
Evaluate benefit plan performance and partner with carriers, third-party administrators and ESL’s insurance broker to implement design enhancements or cost-containment measures.
Implement benefit transitions such as plan design changes or carrier transitions, including project planning, vendor coordination, data analysis, employee communication, and utilization tracking.
Produce and analyze HRIS reports to support benefits planning, compliance, and leadership decision-making.
Continuously assess and improve benefits-related processes and workflows to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
Collaborate with Finance and HR to forecast benefit-related costs and propose strategies that align with organizational goals and financial stewardship.
Support carrier invoice payment processing and perform regular reconciliation of benefits costs against payroll deductions.
Regularly reconcile payroll contributions to employee Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts and the Retirement Plan.
Stay informed on relevant legislation and regulations (ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA) and apply industry best practices.
Support annual compliance tasks, including retirement plan audit, annual filings and notices.Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Proven experience in benefits administration and HRIS management, preferably in healthcare or senior living environments.
Experience supporting or leading significant benefit transitions strongly preferred.
Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
Proficiency with HRIS and benefits platforms (e.g., ADP, Paylocity, UKG).
Strong analytical skills and ability to leverage data to drive strategic decisions.
High attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and project management capabilities.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative and employee-centered approach.
Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and integrity.Benefits
We offer a full benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, life and voluntary life, 401k with employer matching, paid holidays, and up to 20 days PTO in the first three years.