Benefits Specialist

Encore; Schiller Park (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Encore in Schiller Park, IL seeks a Benefits Specialist to oversee daily benefits administration across health, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement plans. You’ll partner with vendors, maintain enrollment materials, and ensure proper reporting while safeguarding data privacy.

The role requires 3+ years of benefits experience, strong HR knowledge and excellent communication skills, with a focus on accuracy and customer service in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• At least 3 years benefits administration experience.
• Extensive knowledge of HR, Benefits and Payroll processes.
• Knowledge of employment laws including FMLA and ADA.
• Excellent verbal/written communications and customer service skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong time management.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Evaluate, document and maintain internal benefit procedures to reduce costs or increase efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA and related regulations.
• Analyze employee data and process all group plan billings timely.
• Distribute and maintain health enrollment materials and eligibility changes.
• Consult and advise employees on eligibility, coverage and 401(k) plan.
• Oversee monthly eligibility in line with plan guidelines.
• Audit enrollment elections and deductions in HRIS.
• Create and run benefit reports for HR customers.

Skills

Benefits administration

HR knowledge

Payroll processes

Microsoft Office

HRIS software (Ultimate Software)

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

HRIS software

Payroll systems

Job description

Position Overview

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration of group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, travel and accident plan, health savings account, flexible spending plan, 401(k) plan and retirement plan). The Benefits Specialist also provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers. The Benefits Administrator will report to the Manager, Benefits

Position Overview

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration of group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, travel and accident plan, health savings account, flexible spending plan, 401(k) plan and retirement plan). The Benefits Specialist also provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers. The Benefits Administrator will report to the Manager, Benefits

Key Job Responsibilities

Benefit Compliance

• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Evaluate, document, revise and maintain internal benefit administrative procedures to reduce costs and/or increase efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations (i.e. ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA, etc…).
• Analyze employee data, ensure accuracy of data and process all group plan billings timely manner.
• Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of all plan designs and functions and respond to employee requests for conflict resolution.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of any personal or sensitive data.

Benefit Administration

• Consult and advise employees on eligibility, coverage and other matters related to Encore's benefits and 401(k) plan.
• Oversee monthly benefits eligibility in accordance to Encore, state and/or federal plan guidelines to identify newly eligible employees and employees who no longer qualify for benefits coverage.
• Distribute and maintain health insurance enrollment materials for monthly eligibility changes, open enrollment periods, employee orientations, summary plan descriptions or for packages requested by field employees.
• Ensure all health and welfare enrollment elections and specialized claims are processed in accordance with plan specifications and that they are submitted to insurance vendors on a weekly basis.
• Compiles and maintains benefit records and documents in HRIS in accordance with plan specifications and ensure data accuracy.
• Follow-up on any incomplete enrollment elections and/or documentation.
• Audit enrollment elections and deductions within HRIS each pay period.

Team Support

• Cross-train with the Benefits Specialist (Leave of Absence Administration) on the functions performed in managing leaves of absences as this role will be that person's primary back-up
• Cross-train the Benefits Specialist who manages leaves on the functions performed in this role as the Specialist will be this job's primary back-up
• Assist HR Shared Services Team with any other duties as assigned

Reporting

• Provide system reporting by running standard weekly and monthly HRIS reports.
• Create and run benefit reports from Encore's HR system for function users and HR customers, which will include monthly and quarterly filings.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience required
• At least 3 years benefits administration experience
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of HR, Benefits and Payroll processes
• Knowledge of all employment laws, including FMLA and ADA
• Excellent verbal/written communications and customer service skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Persistent follow through on assignments
• Ability to consistently deliver high quality customer service in a professional manner
• Excellent time management and organizational skills (ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously)
• Ability to work independently
• Comfortable working in a fast paced environment
• Ability to work as a team member including the ability to be flexible with changing priorities based on the business need
• Ability to accurately enter and manage sensitive employee data and manual records.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office products and HRIS software (preferably Ultimate Software)

Competencies

• Concern for Quality
• Exceeds Customer Expectations
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Integrity

Work Environment

Work is generally performed at an office that is moderately quiet. Team members will occasionally visit other work locations for meetings or for other business reasons. Working times will include days and may include evenings, weekends and holidays. Team members must adhere to appearance guidelines as defined by Encore.

Salary Pay Range: $64,506.00 - $83,858.00

The compensation offered for this role is determined based on the qualifications outlined in the job posting for the specified location. Final compensation is based on a number of factors including location, travel, relevant work experience, or particular skills and expertise. In addition, some positions may be eligible for other compensation such as potential overtime, bonuses or incentives.

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