Benefits Specialist — HRIS & Payroll Expert

Central Catholic; Lawrence (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, MA seeks a part-time Benefits Specialist to manage benefits programs, payroll data integrity, and open enrollment. You will educate staff, coordinate with vendors, and ensure regulatory compliance across health, welfare, and retirement plans.

Reporting to the Director of People Operations, you will handle COBRA, plan changes, and billing reconciliations while providing high-touch service to faculty and staff throughout the employment lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of hands-on experience in payroll and benefits administration.
• Working knowledge of employee benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience administering self-insured benefit programs.
• Advanced proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems. Preferably ADP.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working within an independent school, Secondary education institution, or nonprofit organization.
• Familiarity with education-sector employee benefit programs.
• Professional certifications such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or related credentials are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day administration of employee benefits programs including medical, dental, life insurance, FSAs, DCA, COBRA, Voluntary Life and 403(b) retirement plans.
• Process benefits enrollments, terminations, dependent additions, address changes, and eligibility updates.
• Maintain and manage electronic enrollment files and carrier data exchanges.
• Administer COBRA notifications and ongoing participant communications.
• Coordinate claims processing activities and resolve benefit-related discrepancies.
• Conduct benefits orientations for newly hired employees.
• Lead and administer the annual Open Enrollment process, including vendor coordination and system configuration.
• Serve as the backup for payroll-related inquiries including tax withholding updates and benefits deductions.
• Ensure accurate data entry and maintenance of employee information within HRIS and payroll systems.
• Maintain data integrity across all payroll and benefits platforms.
• Maintain accurate benefits records, documentation, and procedures.
• Reconcile monthly benefits invoices against active payroll rosters.
• Support financial operations related to benefits administration.
• Research and resolve billing discrepancies with vendors and carriers.
• Monitor participant accounts to ensure accurate premium and contribution reporting.
• Serve as primary contact for employee benefits questions and issue resolution.
• Act as liaison with insurance carriers, brokers, retirement providers, and benefits partners.
• Assist with special projects and other HR duties.

Skills

Payroll administration

Benefits administration

HRIS proficiency

ADP

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Customer service

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field

Tools

ADP

HRIS systems

Job description

Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, MA seeks a part-time Benefits Specialist to manage benefits programs, payroll data integrity, and open enrollment. You will educate staff, coordinate with vendors, and ensure regulatory compliance across health, welfare, and retirement plans.

Reporting to the Director of People Operations, you will handle COBRA, plan changes, and billing reconciliations while providing high-touch service to faculty and staff throughout the employment lifecycle.