HR Services - Benefits Specialist

Position Job Summary: The Benefits Specialist works directly with HR Services clients and their employees to provide day-to-day support all aspects of benefit administration and management from enrollment to termination of coverage.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Benefits Administration
  • Manage ongoing Benefits Administration for assigned clients, overseeing tasks such as New Hire and Open Enrollments, Medical Support Orders, processing benefit changes at the carrier level, invoice audit and reconciliations, payroll audit and verification, and managing COBRA processes & vendor interfacing.
  • Administer day-to-day support for employee benefit plans, covering medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee/dependent eligibility, and long-term disability.
  • Analyze and address client employee inquiries about benefits, emphasizing both timeliness and quality in responses.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations by securing and maintaining benefit documentation.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of federal and state regulations, compliance requirements, and filing procedures impacting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, Medicare, etc.
  • Input and maintain precise employee enrollment information in benefits-related technology, such as online carrier portals and enrollment modules.
  • Conduct employee orientations to acquaint them with company benefits.
  • Research and formulate responses to complex benefit issues impacting client relationships.
• Client Satisfaction
  • Conduct conference calls and meetings with clients to discuss benefit plan administration.
  • Develop and maintain employee communication, contributing to policy development.
  • Provide ongoing consultation by addressing administration questions, discussing regulatory updates, resolving claim issues, and managing customer service problems with carriers.
  • Assist in vendor management activities to ensure accurate and timely completion of tasks and resolution of employee questions.
• Collaboration and Expertise
  • Act as a liaison with Broker-of-Record or Higginbotham Producer/Account Manager.
  • Collaborate, communicate, and address inquiries related to benefits for internal stakeholders, including HR Services team members, HIG brokers, and account managers.
  • Serve as a knowledgeable resource for Higginbotham team members seeking guidance on benefits administration.
  • Assist with implementations and internal and external vendor or system changes.
• Ad-Hoc or Miscellaneous Duties
  • Support various tasks and special projects as required.
  • Fulfill additional responsibilities as delegated by the supervisor or management.

Qualifications and Skills Required: 

• Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to multi-task
• Strong attention to detail and patience for tedious tasks
• Excellent communication and customer service skills with the ability to work well with others
• Ability to work well under pressure or time constraints
• Highly motivated and reliable
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to maintain a positive presence in the workplace and with clients
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Education/Training/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• 3-5 years Benefit Administration or Benefit related experience
• 1+ years Human Resources Administration experience
• Preferred experience with the any of the following HRIS/Payroll systems: Paylocity, AllianceHCM, Paycor, Paycom or ADP Workforce Now

Perks & Benefits:

• Generous employee benefits package which includes a robust wellness program
• Employee Ownership Opportunities
• Career progression opportunity – the potential for growth within the company