Benefits Administrator

Summary

The Benefits Administrator supports the day‑to‑day administration of employee benefit programs for faculty and staff. This role is responsible for processing enrollments, changes, and terminations; assisting employees with benefit questions; coordinating with vendors; and ensuring accurate and timely documentation. The Benefits Administrator will work closely with the HR team and external partners to help maintain smooth and compliant benefit operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Support the full benefits lifecycle, including new hire enrollment, qualifying life events, annual open enrollment, and termination processing.
• Maintain understanding of basic federal and state regulations related to benefits (e.g., ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA) and ensure processes align with requirements.
• Assist employees with general inquiries regarding eligibility, plan provisions, and enrollment procedures.
• Enter enrollment changes accurately into HR and vendor systems and ensure supporting documentation is collected and filed.

Vendor & Billing Support

• Coordinate with benefit carriers and third‑party administrators to resolve routine issues or discrepancies.
• Review monthly invoices for accuracy and submit payment requests on time.
• Maintain positive working relationships with external partners and ensure service issues are addressed promptly.

Employee Support & Communication

• Provide clear communication to employees regarding benefits offerings, deadlines, and processes.
• Assist with preparing benefits materials such as announcements, guides, and informational emails.
• Support the planning and execution of annual open enrollment activities and onsite benefits events.

Leave Administration

• Assist with processing FMLA, disability, and workers’ compensation paperwork.
• Coordinate with payroll on leave-related pay updates and communicate status updates between employees and managers as needed.
• Track return‑to‑work documentation and ensure proper workflow routing.

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain organized and up‑to‑date benefit files and digital records according to retention guidelines.
• Support periodic audits to ensure accuracy of benefits data and help resolve inconsistencies.
• Provide routine benefit-related reports as needed.

Wellness Program Support

• Assist with wellness initiatives, including distributing communications, helping coordinate workshops or events, and tracking participation.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in benefits administration or an HR generalist role with strong exposure to benefits.
• Working knowledge of benefit programs such as health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and flexible spending/health savings accounts.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Familiarity with benefit compliance concepts (ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA).
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Clear communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and provide excellent customer service.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with HRIS systems preferred; Banner knowledge a plus.