Benefits Analyst

Horizontal Talent; Arkansas; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizontal Talent is seeking a benefits operations professional to support daily health, welfare, and retirement program activities. You will validate data, coordinate with vendors, resolve issues, and contribute to process improvements that align with employee and business goals.

The role emphasizes open enrollment testing, eligibility audits, data validation, and accurate reporting while ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs.
• Understanding of benefit plan provisions, principles, and operational processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes.
• High attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent organization and time management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently within established processes.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to analyze data, identify discrepancies, and take appropriate action.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with vendors and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day benefits operations, including open enrollment testing, eligibility audits, data validation, invoice processing, billing reconciliation, enrollment corrections, and content quality checks.
• Review files, correct eligibility records, and make appropriate contribution or record adjustments.
• Act as a primary operational contact for vendor and employee issues, helping identify root causes and driving timely resolution.
• Track vendor service levels, maintain dashboards, follow up on action items, and elevate concerns when needed.
• Assist with small-scale enhancements, process improvements, readiness efforts, and implementation-related tasks across benefit programs.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable federal and state requirements by escalating exceptions, plan-rule questions, and contractual concerns appropriately.
• Prepare standard and custom reports, validate data accuracy, and summarize findings for stakeholders.
• Maintain process documentation, maps, and audit evidence to support operational consistency and audit readiness.
• Support internal and external audits by gathering data, validating documentation, and tracking issues through resolution.
• Contribute to enterprise initiatives through testing, data preparation, and readiness support.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and support better business outcomes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent worker

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Join a dynamic benefits team supporting the administration and ongoing management of health, welfare, and retirement programs. In this role, you’ll help keep benefit operations running smoothly through data validation, vendor coordination, issue resolution, and process improvements that support employees and business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day benefits operations, including open enrollment testing, eligibility audits, data validation, invoice processing, billing reconciliation, enrollment corrections, and content quality checks.
• Review files, correct eligibility records, and make appropriate contribution or record adjustments.
• Act as a primary operational contact for vendor and employee issues, helping identify root causes and driving timely resolution.
• Track vendor service levels, maintain dashboards, follow up on action items, and elevate concerns when needed.
• Assist with small-scale enhancements, process improvements, readiness efforts, and implementation-related tasks across benefit programs.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable federal and state requirements by escalating exceptions, plan-rule questions, and contractual concerns appropriately.
• Prepare standard and custom reports, validate data accuracy, and summarize findings for stakeholders.
• Maintain process documentation, maps, and audit evidence to support operational consistency and audit readiness.
• Support internal and external audits by gathering data, validating documentation, and tracking issues through resolution.
• Contribute to enterprise initiatives through testing, data preparation, and readiness support.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and support better business outcomes.

Skills

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs.
• Understanding of benefit plan provisions, principles, and operational processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes.
• High attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent organization and time management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently within established processes.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to analyze data, identify discrepancies, and take appropriate action.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with vendors and internal stakeholders.

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting open enrollment, eligibility administration, billing, or benefits data validation.
• Familiarity with reporting, dashboard tracking, and audit support activities.
• Experience contributing to process improvement or program readiness initiatives.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment and manage changing priorities.
• Strong documentation skills, including maintaining process maps and operational records.

Horizontal is committed to building an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone has the opportunity to contribute and grow. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and experiences who are excited to make a positive impact through thoughtful, equitable, and collaborative work.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.