Sr. Specialist, Benefits

Purpose of JobThis position is ideal for someone who is passionate about benefits, leave administration, and compliance, while also contributing to HR operations and process improvements. The Sr. Benefits Specialist will partner with HR leadership, payroll, and external vendors to ensure employees receive high-quality support and that all programs are administered accurately and in compliance with legal and organizational standards.Job DescriptionAdminister employee benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), wellness, and voluntary benefits), ensuring accuracy, compliance, and effective employee communication.Manage all aspects of leave of absence programs (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL, personal leave, and workers’ compensation), serving as the primary point of contact for employees and managers.Partner with payroll, vendors, and brokers to ensure accurate benefit deductions, reconciliations, and timely resolution of benefits- and leave-related inquiries.Maintain and audit HRIS and benefits data to ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.Provide compensation-related support through data gathering and analytics (e.g., benchmarking, pay equity, and compensation trends) to assist leadership with pay decisions and compliance.Monitor changes in federal and state employment laws and recommend updates to benefits and leave policies, processes, and practices as needed.Prepare and analyze benefits and leave reports (benefits utilization, leave trends, healthcare costs, headcount, and turnover data) to provide actionable insights for HR leadership.Support HR compliance and audits by maintaining accurate and complete employee benefits and leave records.Assist with broader HR initiatives such as open enrollment, wellness programs, onboarding, and employee engagement activities.Lead benefits-related projects such as system enhancements, policy rollouts, vendor evaluations, and process improvements.Act as a trusted HR resource, providing day-to-day guidance to employees and managers on benefits, leave, and related HR policies.Job RequirementsBachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.3-5 years of progressive HR experience with a strong focus on benefits administration, leave management, and HR operations.In-depth knowledge of federal and state leave regulations (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL).Experience with HRIS and benefits platforms (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paylocity, SAP, Paychex).Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and present findings clearly to leadership.Excellent communication and customer service skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.Essential Mental & Physical FunctionMental Functions: Decisions may affect a work unit or area within a department. May contribute to business and operational decisions that affect the department. This position performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to supervisor's guidelines.Physical Functions: Sitting required 90% of the time. Walking and standing required 5% of the time respectively. No heavy lifting required. Constant keyboarding and telephone usage.Supervisor ResponsibilitiesN/ALanguage SkillsAbility to read, write, and communicate properly in English.Work EnvironmentStandard office working environment.Travel RequirementsAs needed based on projects and workload.