Senior Benefits Specialist

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Boulder (CO); Sur place; USD 91 000 - 114 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research seeks a Senior Benefits Specialist to lead retirement plan administration and oversee comprehensive benefits programs for a large workforce. The role focuses on guiding employees through retirement transitions, administering plans, and coordinating with payroll and providers to ensure compliant, accurate benefit services.

The position requires hands-on retirement plan experience and managing benefits for 1,000+ employees, with strong

Qualifications

• Experience independently administering retirement plans and at least one other employee benefits program is required.
• Hands-on benefits administration for large employee populations (typically 1,000+ employees) with attention to compliance and audits.

Responsabilités

• Retirement Plan Administration: Manage UCAR's 403(b) and 457(b) plans, eligibility, enrollment, and transactions; coordinate with vendors and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Health & Welfare Benefits Administration: Oversee medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, FSAs/HSAs, COBRA, and retiree benefits; support enrollments and benefit changes.
• Audits, Compliance & Internal Controls: Lead external retirement plan audits and internal compliance reviews; maintain auditable records and controls.
• Leave Administration & Process Improvement: Administer leave processes and develop clear benefits communications and intranet resources.

Description du poste

Position Type: Regular

Visa Sponsored Job: No

Relocation Assistance Eligible: No

Hiring Range: 91,340.00 USD - 114,170.00 USD *Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 11:59 pm Mountain Time on: 2026-11-15

About The Role

UCAR is seeking an experienced Senior Benefits Specialist to help employees navigate important benefits decisions and ensure accurate, compliant administration of our benefits programs. This role has a primary focus on retirement, including guiding employees through the retirement process, administering retirement plans, supporting internal and external audits, and coordinating with payroll and benefit providers. The position also contributes across UCAR's broader benefits programs as requested, helping ensure that administration aligns with plan documents, organizational policies, and applicable regulatory requirements. Experience independently administering retirement plans and at least one other employee benefits program is required.

We are looking for someone who brings hands-on benefits administration experience supporting a large employee population (typically 1,000 or more employees) and can independently manage complex issues with sound judgment, attention to detail, and care for employees. Strong candidates can identify compliance concerns, research requirements, and collaborate on appropriate solutions. As part of our Total Rewards team, you will partner with knowledgeable colleagues, strengthen processes and internal controls, and support the employees who advance UCAR's scientific mission.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Retirement Plan Administration & Support

• Administer UCAR's 403(b) and 457(b) plans in accordance with governing plan documents, established procedures, and applicable laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Review, processes, and audit retirement plan eligibility, enrollment, contribution elections, and other plan transactions, as applicable.
• Work closely with UCAR's vendors to ensure compliant administration of the plans and to complete corrections as needed.
• Guide employees through the retirement transition process, including required timelines, benefit coverage options, and administrative steps.
• Administer the new Secure 2.0 Roth requirements, guiding impacted employees through the Roth requirements and options and auditing contribution limits.
• Ensure compliance requirements are completed, including required benefit notices, filings (e.g., Form 5500), and non-discrimination testing, in coordination with leadership, legal counsel, and external service providers.
• Stay current on changes to retirement laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance; assess implications for UCAR's retirement plans and coordinate updates to plan administration, procedures, and employee communications.

Health & Welfare Benefits Administration

• Administer assigned health and welfare benefits, which may include medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, LTD, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), COBRA continuation coverage, and retiree benefit programs.
• Review eligibility and process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, coverage changes, and terminations accurately within required timelines, as assigned.
• Respond to employee and retiree inquiries promptly, accurately, and professionally, explaining benefit provisions and coordinating the resolution of coverage, claims, and service issues with external vendors.
• Review payroll benefit deductions, vendor invoices, and eligibility records to identify discrepancies and coordinate corrections with Payroll and HR Operations.
• Support annual open enrollment, benefit plan renewals, system testing, vendor implementations, and cross-functional backup coverage across team programs.

Audits, Compliance, & Internal Controls

• Serve as a primary administrative resource for external retirement plan audits and lead or support compliance reviews and audits across all benefit programs.
• Compile, validate, and reconcile participant census data, payroll records, and supporting documentation requested by internal and external auditors.
• Support required benefit notices, filings (e.g., Form 5500), and other compliance requirements, as requested.
• Apply established internal controls, including documented approvals, reconciliations, secondary reviews, and appropriate escalation.
• Maintain complete, accurate, confidential, and auditable records. Documents administrative decisions, corrections, and supporting rationale.
• Protect confidential information through secure handling, storage, and transmission of records; limit access and disclosure to authorized individuals; and promptly report suspected unauthorized access or disclosure in accordance with UCAR procedures.

Leave Administration, Process Improvement, & Team Support

• Administer or provide backup support for leave administration.
• Develop clear benefits communications, intranet resources, and standard operating proce