Benefits Specialist

LaSalle Intelligent Solutions; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Hybrid work model

Direct Hire

Job summary

LaSalle Network is recruiting a Benefits Specialist for a private, Christian university in Chicago. This hybrid, direct-hire role focuses on day-to-day benefits administration, retirement programs, and leaves, with emphasis on Ellucian Colleague and ACA compliance.

The ideal candidate will have 1–2 years in benefits administration, higher education experience, and strong service orientation to support employees through enrollment, questions, and renewals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Benefits Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of professional experience in benefits administration, leave administration, payroll, Human Resources, or a closely related function
• Working knowledge and hands-on experience with Ellucian Colleague
• Previous experience working within a higher education environment
• Experience or exposure to 403(b) retirement plan administration
• Knowledge of employee benefit and leave regulations, including ACA reporting, FMLA, COBRA, and HIPAA
• Experience supporting or coordinating annual Open Enrollment
• Experience reviewing and reconciling benefit vendor invoices and payroll deductions
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accurate records and manage multiple deadlines
• Ability to collaborate effectively with HR colleagues, employees, vendors, brokers, and other university stakeholders
• Commitment to supporting and advancing the university's Christian mission, values, and faith identity

Responsibilities

• Administer the university's employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, dependent care accounts, health savings accounts, parking, and transit benefits
• Process employee benefit enrollments, changes, and qualifying life events within the benefits platform and Ellucian Colleague
• Serve as a primary resource for employees regarding benefit eligibility, coverage, enrollment, and general benefits questions
• Coordinate and execute the annual Open Enrollment process, including system updates, employee communications, enrollment changes, and follow-up
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee benefit records and documentation
• Assist with annual benefit renewals and other benefits-related initiatives and projects
• Support administration of the university's 403(b) retirement plan, including employee participation and ongoing plan activities
• Administer applicable retiree benefit programs
• Participate in retirement plan audits and assist with documentation, reporting, and compliance requirements
• Respond to employee questions regarding retirement benefits and coordinate with appropriate vendors and plan partners
• Administer employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, short-term disability, long-term disability, pregnancy-related leaves, and other applicable leave programs
• Coordinate benefits and payroll-related activities associated with employee leaves
• Serve as a liaison between employees, benefit carriers, brokers, and other third-party vendors
• Review and reconcile monthly benefit invoices to ensure accuracy
• Support compliance with applicable benefits and leave regulations, including ACA, FMLA, COBRA, and HIPAA
• Prepare and review Forms 1095-C and assist with annual ACA reporting requirements

Job description

Our client, a private, Christian university, is seeking a Benefits Specialist to join its Human Resources team. Founded in 1891 and affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church, the university is committed to providing a values-driven educational environment grounded in its Christian mission.

Supporting 350 full-time employees, the Benefits Specialist will serve as the primary point of contact for benefits administration and will work closely with the Senior Director of Human Resources, HR Business Partners, and HR Coordinator.

This is a hands-on role responsible for the day-to-day administration of employee benefits, retirement programs, leaves of absence, benefits compliance, and vendor relationships. The ideal candidate brings previous higher education experience, working knowledge of Ellucian Colleague, and a strong service-oriented approach to supporting employees.

What's the job?

• Administer the university's employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, dependent care accounts, health savings accounts, parking, and transit benefits
• Process employee benefit enrollments, changes, and qualifying life events within the benefits platform and Ellucian Colleague
• Serve as a primary resource for employees regarding benefit eligibility, coverage, enrollment, and general benefits questions
• Coordinate and execute the annual Open Enrollment process, including system updates, employee communications, enrollment changes, and follow-up
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee benefit records and documentation
• Assist with annual benefit renewals and other benefits-related initiatives and projects
• Support administration of the university's 403(b) retirement plan, including employee participation and ongoing plan activities
• Administer applicable retiree benefit programs
• Participate in retirement plan audits and assist with documentation, reporting, and compliance requirements
• Respond to employee questions regarding retirement benefits and coordinate with appropriate vendors and plan partners
• Administer employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, short-term disability, long-term disability, pregnancy-related leaves, and other applicable leave programs
• Coordinate benefits and payroll-related activities associated with employee leaves
• Serve as a liaison between employees, benefit carriers, brokers, and other third-party vendors
• Review and reconcile monthly benefit invoices to ensure accuracy
• Support compliance with applicable benefits and leave regulations, including ACA, FMLA, COBRA, and HIPAA
• Prepare and review Forms 1095-C and assist with annual ACA reporting requirements

What's needed?

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Benefits Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 1-2 years of professional experience in benefits administration, leave administration, payroll, Human Resources, or a closely related function
• Working knowledge and hands-on experience with Ellucian Colleague
• Previous experience working within a higher education environment
• Experience or exposure to 403(b) retirement plan administration
• Knowledge of employee benefit and leave regulations, including ACA reporting, FMLA, COBRA, and HIPAA
• Experience supporting or coordinating annual Open Enrollment
• Experience reviewing and reconciling benefit vendor invoices and payroll deductions
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accurate records and manage multiple deadlines
• Ability to collaborate effectively with HR colleagues, employees, vendors, brokers, and other university stakeholders
• Commitment to supporting and advancing the university's Christian mission, values, and faith identity

Key Details

• Compensation: $70,000-$72,000 annually
• Work Model: Hybrid
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision
• Employment Type: Direct Hire

LaSalle Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer m/f/d/v.