Benefits Specialist

LHH; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions is seeking a highly experienced Benefits Specialist for a contract-to-hire role in the Charlotte market. The ideal candidate will be expert in benefits administration, leave management, and HR compliance, able to take ownership with minimal ramp-up time.

The role requires independent work, strong vendor liaison skills, and comfort handling complex benefit-related matters while supporting employees and leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience in benefits administration and HR support functions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience with FMLA, ADA, LOA and accommodations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HR compliance and employee relations best practices.
• Experience with HRIS systems such as ADP, Workday, or UKG.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits-related questions and support
• Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability, and wellness offerings
• Lead and support open enrollment processes, employee education, and benefits communication initiatives
• Manage leave administration including FMLA, ADA, LOA, and related compliance processes
• Partner with benefit vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve escalated issues and ensure smooth program administration
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and company policies related to benefits and leave programs
• Support HR operations including onboarding, employee documentation, HRIS updates, and reporting as needed
• Assist with audits, reporting, and process improvement initiatives to enhance overall HR efficiency
• Provide a high level of professionalism, discretion, and customer service while handling sensitive employee matters

Skills

Benefits Administration

HR Support

Independent Work

FMLA/ADA/LOA

HR Compliance

Tools

ADP

Workday

UKG

Job description

LHH Recruitment Solutions is seeking a highly experienced and hands-on contract to hire Benefits Specialist for a client in the Charlotte market. This is a critical, high-impact role for an organization seeking a true subject matter expert who can step in, take ownership, and operate with minimal ramp-up time.

This opportunity is ideal for a polished HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is highly autonomous, and brings a strong blend of benefits expertise, employee support, compliance knowledge, and operational execution. The ideal candidate will be a proactive go-getter who is comfortable navigating complex benefit-related matters while serving as a trusted resource to employees and leadership alike.

This individual must be able to hit the ground running, think independently, and bring a strong working knowledge of benefits administration, leave management, and HR best practices to the table.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits-related questions and support
• Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability, and wellness offerings
• Lead and support open enrollment processes, employee education, and benefits communication initiatives
• Manage leave administration including FMLA, ADA, LOA, and related compliance processes
• Partner with benefit vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve escalated issues and ensure smooth program administration
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and company policies related to benefits and leave programs
• Support HR operations including onboarding, employee documentation, HRIS updates, and reporting as needed
• Assist with audits, reporting, and process improvement initiatives to enhance overall HR efficiency
• Provide a high level of professionalism, discretion, and customer service while handling sensitive employee matters

Qualifications

• Strong experience within Benefits Administration and HR support functions
• Proven ability to work independently and manage priorities with minimal supervision
• Experience handling FMLA, ADA, LOA, and employee accommodations strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of HR compliance, policies, and employee relations best practices
• Experience with HRIS systems such as ADP, Workday, UKG, or similar platforms preferred
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment and confidently take initiative

Additional Information

• Fully onsite opportunity in the Charlotte area
• Client is open to temp, temp-to-hire, or direct hire depending on candidate alignment