Benefits Consultant

University of North Carolina Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 61,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Charlotte seeks a Benefits Consultant to advise employees on leaves of absence, retirement options, onboarding and offboarding, and other benefits programs across the employee lifecycle. The role delivers high-volume support, manages time-sensitive inquiries, and ensures accurate application of university policies.

Working in Human Resources (Adm) within the Business Affairs division, this EHRA Non-Faculty, full-time position requires a Bachelor's degree with 2+

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 2+ years of HR benefits experience preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills required.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Responsibilities

• Lead benefits consultations for leaves of absence, retirement, onboarding and offboarding.
• Provide high-volume, timely benefits information and case handling.
• Ensure accurate application of federal, state, and university policies.
• Support open enrollment and other benefits administration tasks.

Skills

Advanced Excel

HR benefits experience

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Benefits Consultant

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

• This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, problem-solving, and making a real impact across the employee lifecycle-from onboarding to retirement. You'll support a large, dynamic campus community and help employees navigate some of the most important moments in their careers.
• If you have experience in leave administration, retirement benefits, or general HR benefits and thrive in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment, this could be a strong next step.
• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Position Information

General Information

Position Number: 000517

Vacancy Open to: All Candidates

Working Title: Benefits Consultant

Position Designation: EHRA Non-Faculty

Employment Type: Permanent - Full-time

Months per Year: 12

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours required, as necessary.

Hours per week: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt

Division: Business Affairs

Department: Human Resources (Adm)

Work Location: King Building

Salary Range: $61,000 - $66,000

Primary Purpose of Department: Consults with employees, managers, departments, governing bodies, vendors, and other stakeholders on matters related to employee benefits and services. The unit administers leaves of absence, retirements, onboarding and offboarding processes, and other assigned benefits programs that support the full employment lifecycle for more than 4,000 faculty, staff, and eligible temporary employees.

Primary Purpose of Position: The Benefits Consultant Generalist provides adaptable, crossfunctional support across core benefits functions. This role delivers consultations and case management for leaves of absence, retirement processing, onboarding and offboarding activities, and related benefits administration. The consultant manages highvolume inquiries, timesensitive casework, and ensures accurate application of federal, state, and university policies. By providing coverage during peak workloads, staff absences, and overlapping deadlines, the generalist helps maintain timely, compliant service and consistent support for employees throughout the employment lifecycle.

Leave of Absence (LOA) - 30%

• Guide LOA options, eligibility, benefits, and required processes.
• Review applications and medical documentation, determine eligibility, and complete forms, notifications, and system entries.
• Consult with employees on continuation, conversion/portability, waivers, and accelerated benefits.
• Coordinate with Employee Relations when appropriate.
• Monitor case data for accuracy, compliance, timekeeping, and billing; produce related reports.
• Support additional LOA tasks as assigned.

Retirement - 30%

• Consult employees on retirement options, eligibility, and benefit calculations for:
  • Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS), including Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) benefits
  • Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
  • Phased Retirement
  • Incentive programs such as the Faculty Incentive Retirement Program (FRIP)
• Guide related retirement benefits, including retiree health insurance, Medicare Parts A and B, NC Flex, and UNC System benefits.
• Consult on supplemental retirement plans (UNC System 403(b), 457(b), NC 401(k)), including contribution limits, plan rules, and enrollment changes.
• Process retirement forms, documentation, communications, and system entries; ensure accuracy and timely completion.
• Support additional retirement tasks such as pensionspiking reviews, special separation allowance calculations, and presentations.

Onboarding / Offboarding - 30%

• Conduct orientations and benefits consultations for prospective, new, and transferring employees.
• Assist with benefits enrollment, documentation, and platform tasks, including compliance with mandatory retirement plan elections.
• Guide terminationrelated benefits, including continuation/portability, COBRA, and vendor contacts.
• Monitor separation reporting, end deductions, and process adjustments or exception requests as needed.
• Support Reduction in Force (RIF) actions, including Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR) requests for eligible TSERS participants, employee consultations, and required payroll and platform updates.

Other Benefits Support - 10%

• Provide general benefits support, including processing HR service cases through HR Connect.
• Research and interpret benefits policies and collaborate with internal partners as needed.
• Maintain process documentation and support process improvements.
• Process qualifying life events and related system entries.
• Assist with open enrollment, events, and other benefits duties as assigned.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Related Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of HR benefits experience; or
• Equivalent combination of training and experience (degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions).
• Advanced Excel Skills
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Broad benefits administration experience, including state programs, leave of absence, retirement, and on/offboarding support
• Strong Excel skills with solid systems proficiency
• Public sector experience preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including delivering presentations to diverse audiences

Special Notes to Applicants

• This is a great opportunity for someone who