Benefits Specialist

University Health KC; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

University Health KC is seeking a Benefits Specialist to help employees understand and maximize their benefits, including health, wellness, leave, and retirement programs. You will be a trusted resource ensuring accuracy, compliance, and employee-focused service across the benefits lifecycle.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Payroll, HR, and vendors, delivering excellent customer service while navigating complex benefits scenarios and life events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or equivalent.
• Experience in Human Resources.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefit programs including health and welfare plans, PTO, disability, and leave programs.
• Serve as primary contact for benefit inquiries and provide timely guidance.
• Coordinate FMLA, STD, military, personal, and other leaves while ensuring compliance.
• Educate employees and leaders on benefit programs and eligibility.
• Partner with Payroll to coordinate deductions and premium collections.

Skills

Benefits administration

HRIS knowledge

Customer service

Analytical skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

HRIS software

Job description

Benefits Specialist

101 Truman Medical Center

Job Location

Northpoint

Kansas City, Missouri

Position Type

Full time

Work Schedule

8:00AM - 4:30PM

Hours Per Week

40

Job Description

Help our team thrive by delivering exceptional benefits support that makes a difference every day.

At University Health, our employees are our greatest asset. As a Benefits Specialist, you'll play an essential role in ensuring team members understand, access, and maximize the benefits that support them throughout every stage of their career. From health and wellness programs to leave administration and retirement benefits, you'll be a trusted resource who helps employees navigate important life events while ensuring our benefits programs remain accurate, compliant, and employee-focused.

If you enjoy solving problems, delivering outstanding customer service, and working collaboratively to improve the employee experience, we'd love to meet you.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Be a trusted advisor for employees with benefits and leave-related questions.
• Support meaningful employee life events including family leave, disability, and other leaves of absence.
• Partner with Payroll, HR, vendors, and leaders to ensure benefits are administered accurately and efficiently.
• Help improve benefit communications, policies, and employee education.
• Participate in initiatives that enhance the overall employee experience.
• Make a direct impact on the health, well-being, and financial security of our workforce.

What You'll Do

• Administer employee benefit programs including health and welfare plans, paid time off, disability, and leave of absence programs.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, researching issues and providing timely, accurate guidance.
• Coordinate Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Short-Term Disability (STD), military, personal, and other leave programs while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Educate employees and leaders on benefit programs, leave policies, and eligibility requirements.
• Partner with Payroll to coordinate benefit deductions, premium collections, reimbursements, and related payroll processes.
• Audit benefit enrollments, deductions, vendor invoices, and eligibility records to maintain data integrity.
• Monitor HRIS benefit file feeds and troubleshoot discrepancies.
• Process life insurance and long-term disability claims while serving as a liaison with benefit vendors.
• Maintain and update benefits policies, employee communications, forms, and intranet content.
• Assist with Open Enrollment, benefits fairs, new hire orientation, and supervisor education.
• Participate in benefits and compensation surveys, special projects, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Support a culture of compliance, customer service, collaboration, and operational excellence.

What We're Looking For

• Enjoys helping others navigate complex benefits and leave situations.
• Is highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities with accuracy.
• Thrives in a collaborative, customer-focused environment.
• Has strong analytical skills and enjoys identifying and resolving discrepancies.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with employees at all levels.
• Values confidentiality, integrity, and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience in Human Resources.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Working knowledge of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Human Resources experience in a healthcare environment.