Benefits Specialist

NearU; Charlotte (NC); On-site; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NearU is seeking a detail-oriented Benefits Specialist to join the Human Resources team at our Charlotte, NC site. You will administer and improve our employee benefits programs across multiple states, serving as the main point of contact for health, retirement, and wellness benefits.

Responsibilities include benefits administration, open enrollment, billing/auditing, compliance, and vendor liaison. The role requires 2+ years in HR benefits with strong Excel and Dayforce experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in HR benefits administration or HR operations.
• Proficiency with HRIS and benefits platforms and advanced Microsoft Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables). Experience with Dayforce is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of employee benefit regulations (ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA).
• Exceptional communication, customer service, and discretion when handling sensitive data.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for employees regarding benefits inquiries and issues.
• Manage daily administration of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k) and voluntary benefits.
• Lead annual open enrollment processes and onboarding communications.
• Audit payroll deductions and coordinate with Finance/Payroll for accurate processing.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state/local laws and regulatory reporting.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Discretion

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

HRIS

Dayforce

Excel

Job description

NearU is a people-centric, process-driven, and technology-enabled customer service platform dedicated to revolutionizing the home services industry by vastly improving the customer and employee experience.

This role is four days on-site at our Charlotte Branch Service Center office. Located at 2550 West Tyvola Road Charlotte, NC.

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team. In this role, you will play a vital part in administering, maintaining, and improving our comprehensive employee benefits programs.You will serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding their health, retirement, and wellness benefits, ensuring seamless day-to-day operations and full compliance with federal and state regulations. This role is critical in ensuring our benefits offerings are competitive, compliant and aligned with our strategic goals and employees wellbeing across multiple states within the NearU footprint.

Key Responsibilities

• Employee Support & Communication: Serve as the go-to resource for employees regarding benefits inquiries, resolving complex issues with empathy, accuracy, and confidentiality.
• Benefits Administration: Manage the daily administration of employee benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k)/retirement plans, and voluntary perks.
• Open Enrollment & Onboarding: Lead the annual open enrollment process—including planning communications, managing system updates, and conducting information sessions. Facilitate benefits orientation for new hires.
• Billing & Auditing: Review monthly carrier invoices, reconcile discrepancies, audit payroll deductions, and work with the finance/payroll department to ensure accurate processing.
• Compliance & Reporting: Ensure company benefit programs comply with federal, state, and local laws (e.g., ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA, FLSA). Assist with mandatory filings and compliance audits.
• Vendor Relations: Maintain positive working relationships with insurance brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and wellness vendors.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience: 2 or more years of hands-on experience in HR benefits administration or human resources operations.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with HRIS and benefits administration platforms and advanced Microsoft Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables). Experience with Dayforce is preferred.
• Knowledge Base: Strong foundational understanding of employee benefit regulations and compliance laws (ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA).
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills, with a high degree of discretion when handling sensitive personal data.

NearU is an Equal Opportunity Employer AA/EOE/M/F/V/D. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NearU may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.