Benefits Assistant

Arnold & Porter; Maryland; On-site; USD 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Arnold & Porter seeks a detail-oriented Benefits Assistant for our Washington, DC office to support health, welfare, and retirement programs for attorneys and staff. You will handle enrollment, changes, and inquiries while maintaining confidential information with discretion.

The role involves processing COBRA materials, retirement plan invoices, and open enrollment communications, plus maintaining accurate HRIS records and benefits files.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or associate degree preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered
• Prior benefits, law firm, or professional services experience is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Windows-based applications required; SharePoint experience is a plus.
• Experience working with an HRIS is preferred.
• Typing proficiency of at least 45 words per minute.
• Strong administrative, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrated trustworthiness and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Reliable, dependable, and motivated, with a commitment to exceptional internal client service.
• Flexibility to work additional hours as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Assist with benefits enrollment and orientation for new attorneys and staff, including processing life-event changes and beneficiary updates.
• Prepare and process COBRA materials and benefits departure summaries for departing attorneys and staff.
• Prepare and submit retirement plan invoices.
• Review retirement plan reports to confirm the accuracy of employee and partner 401(k) elections and payroll withholdings.
• Support annual open enrollment, including employee communications, educational programs, and enrollment-related materials.
• Respond to routine benefits inquiries by telephone and email, providing timely and professional client service.
• Maintain accurate employee and partner benefits files, including electronic and paper records.
• Perform routine data entry and updates in the firm’s HRIS.
• Organize and maintain benefits-related documents, including retirement plan materials posted on the Firm intranet.
• Draft and distribute quarterly 401(k) webcast announcements and assist with other participant education communications.
• Assist with benefits surveys and the distribution of retirement plan compliance notices.
• Support Firm wellness initiatives, including the annual Benefits Health Fair and Benefits Spotlight communications.
• Assist in planning and attending in-person and virtual benefits-related meetings and events.
• Provide general administrative and clerical support to the Health & Welfare and Retirement Benefits teams, as needed.

Skills

HRIS experience

MS Office Suite

SharePoint

Typing speed

Communication skills

Time management

Discretion

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Associate degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

HRIS

Windows applications

Job description

Arnold & Porter is an international law firm with offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia. The firm provides sophisticated regulatory, litigation, and transactional services to clients across a broad range of industries, including more than half of the Fortune 100.

The Benefits Department is seeking a detail-oriented Benefits Assistant to join the Washington, DC office. This role supports the day-to-day administration of the firm’s health and welfare and retirement programs for attorneys and professional staff.

The Benefits Assistant will assist with employee enrollment and changes, retirement plan administration, benefits communications, recordkeeping, and employee inquiries. The successful candidate will be highly organized, service-oriented, and trusted to handle confidential information with discretion and accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with benefits enrollment and orientation for new attorneys and staff, including processing life-event changes and beneficiary updates.
• Prepare and process COBRA materials and benefits departure summaries for departing attorneys and staff.
• Prepare and submit retirement plan invoices.
• Review retirement plan reports to confirm the accuracy of employee and partner 401(k) elections and payroll withholdings.
• Support annual open enrollment, including employee communications, educational programs, and enrollment-related materials.
• Respond to routine benefits inquiries by telephone and email, providing timely and professional client service.
• Maintain accurate employee and partner benefits files, including electronic and paper records.
• Perform routine data entry and updates in the firm’s HRIS.
• Organize and maintain benefits-related documents, including retirement plan materials posted on the Firm intranet.
• Draft and distribute quarterly 401(k) webcast announcements and assist with other participant education communications.
• Assist with benefits surveys and the distribution of retirement plan compliance notices.
• Support Firm wellness initiatives, including the annual Benefits Health Fair and Benefits Spotlight communications.
• Assist in planning and attending in-person and virtual benefits-related meetings and events.
• Provide gDeneral administrative and clerical support to the Health & Welfare and Retirement Benefits teams, as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or associate degree preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered
• Prior benefits, law firm, or professional services experience is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Windows-based applications required; SharePoint experience is a plus.
• Experience working with an HRIS is preferred.
• Typing proficiency of at least 45 words per minute.
• Strong administrative, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrated trustworthiness and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Reliable, dependable, and motivated, with a commitment to exceptional internal client service.
• Flexibility to work additional hours as business needs require.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $52,000 - $58,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

As a nonexempt position, this position is eligible for overtime.

The firm may provide a discretionary bonus annually.