Benefits & Leave Specialist — Data-Driven & Compliant

Action for Boston Community Development; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is seeking a Benefits Specialist to manage leaves of absence, retirement plan programs, and benefits administration. You will ensure accurate data flows between vendors, payroll, and HR, while upholding compliance and clear employee guidance on insurance and savings benefits.

In this role, you will counsel staff on leave eligibility, monitor retirement plan activity, and coordinate with plan administrators and payroll to process changes and

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma with HR-related coursework.
• At least 3 years in HR focused on benefits, compliance, or data analysis.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Proficient in MS Office, Google Suite, and database management.
• Experience with HRIS, benefits administration, and compensation.
• Keeps current on compliance and legal issues affecting benefits.
• Ability to work sensitively with individuals and groups.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as advocate with benefits vendors and leave administrator to resolve issues.
• Counsel employees on family, medical, or personal leave and guide them through steps.
• Oversee leave data and ensure accurate storage by HR systems.
• Regularly reconcile information between leave administrators and HR systems.
• Provide regular updates to managers on employee leaves and recommend next steps.
• Prepare communications regarding status of continued employment.
• Maintain knowledge of ABCD policies and related leave laws.
• Support retirement plan administration, including auto-enrollment and deferral changes.
• Monitor retirement plan loans and coordinate with plan administrator and payroll.
• Collaborate with retirement plan admins, advisors, auditors, payroll to resolve issues.
• Validate information to retirement plan admins; review reports.
• Assist with annual compliance census data and reports.
• Keep up-to-date on retirement plan changes and compliance.
• Develop retirement plan documents and support recordkeeping.
• Support retirement plan audit as needed.
• Monitor HR system changes with IRS limits and insurance rates; test changes.
• Suggest process improvements and ensure data quality.
• Support open enrollment and life events via online portal and carriers.
• Perform other related duties.

Skills

HR experience

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Project management

MS Office

Google Suite

Database management

HRIS

Benefits administration

Compensation

Compliance knowledge

Sensitivity/people skills

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma

HR coursework

Public Administration background

Tools

NA

Job description

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is seeking a Benefits Specialist to manage leaves of absence, retirement plan programs, and benefits administration. You will ensure accurate data flows between vendors, payroll, and HR, while upholding compliance and clear employee guidance on insurance and savings benefits.

In this role, you will counsel staff on leave eligibility, monitor retirement plan activity, and coordinate with plan administrators and payroll to process changes and