Senior Benefits Specialist

RTI International; Few (NC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

RTI International, based at the RTP Headquarters, is seeking a Senior Benefits Specialist to lead complex benefits projects and manage retirement plan administration. The role can be resident full-time or hybrid with 3 days onsite.

You will oversee program administration, drive data-driven decisions, mentor a team, and ensure regulatory compliance across HIPAA, ERISA, ACA, COBRA and FMLA while advancing employee wellbeing and engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years of directly related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with a bachelor’s level degree being equivalent to 6 years of directly related experience.
• Strong working knowledge of retirement and retiree health benefits plans, FMLA, absence and disability management, regulations governing these plans, general accounting, business practices, and benefits communication.
• Strong experience in benefits program management and administration, including program development and implementation.
• In-depth knowledge of benefits compliance and regulations, including HIPAA, ERISA, SECURE, COBRA, ACA, and FMLA.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.
• Professional certifications and knowledge of data privacy regulations are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex benefits projects, including Open Enrollment and retirement plan administration.
• Develop and administer benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement, retiree health, time off, disability, and leave of absence.
• Analyze market trends, benchmarks, and employee feedback to enhance programs, optimize costs, and drive innovation that boosts engagement and helps attract and retain top talent.
• Oversee day-to-day benefits operations, including enrollment, eligibility, claims, and vendor coordination, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Apply industry best practices to continuously improve administration and ensure compliance with HIPAA, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, and other regulations.
• Provide training, workshops, and communications to build awareness and utilization of benefits programs, mentoring junior staff.

Skills

Retirement benefits knowledge

FMLA & COBRA knowledge

Benefits program management

Data analysis & reporting

HRIS/payroll systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world’s most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach - one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

We are currently looking for a Senior Benefits Specialist to lead and manage complex projects, including annual Open Enrollment, 401(k) compliance testing, annual retirement plan, and retiree health plan audits, and advances the organization’s employee benefits programs. You will oversee program administration, ensuring compliance with regulations and industry best practices.

The Senior Benefits Specialist conducts data analysis and reporting to drive data-driven decision-making and program improvements. You will provide expert guidance to employees, deliver training sessions, and foster effective communication. Additionally, you mentor and support a team, collaborate cross-functionally, and contribute to strategic initiatives for employee wellbeing and engagement.

This role is based at our RTP Headquarters, either as a resident full-time or hybrid, with 3 days per week onsite.

What You'll Do

Benefits Program Management: Lead complex projects, with a preferred focus on Retirement Plan administration, and support Open Enrollment alongside our external Benefits Administrator and internal teams to deliver on time. Develop and administer benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement, retiree health, time off, disability, and leave of absence.

Benefits Program Strategy and Development: Shape benefits strategy in alignment with business objectives. Analyze market trends, benchmarks, and employee feedback to enhance programs, optimize costs, and drive innovation that boosts engagement and helps attract and retain top talent.

Benefits Program Administration: Oversee day-to-day benefits operations, including enrollment, eligibility, claims, and vendor coordination, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Apply industry best practices to continuously improve administration.

Compliance and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with benefits laws and regulations, including HIPAA, ERISA, the SECURE Act, ACA, FMLA, and COBRA, and proactively address legislative changes and gaps. Partner with legal and compliance teams on documentation, audits, and regulatory inquiries. Maintain SOPs and controls so benefit plans are administered in HRIS systems in line with company policies, plan documents, and vendor contracts.

Data Analysis and Reporting: Use benefits data, HRIS systems, and analytical tools to analyze trends, metrics, and utilization. Deliver reports and insights that drive decisions, program evaluation, cost savings, and a better employee experience.

Employee Support and Communication: Serve as the benefits subject matter expert in Retirement and Retiree Health benefits, resolving complex employee inquiries and issues. Develop and deliver training, workshops, and communications that build awareness and utilization of benefits programs.

Mentorship and Team Leadership: Mentor and develop junior team members, sharing expertise and best practices to build a collaborative, high-performing team. Support complex cases and problem-solving to ensure exceptional service to employees.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership: Partner with HR teams, including compensation, talent acquisition, and HR business partners, to align benefits with HR strategy. Contribute to cross-functional initiatives that improve employee experience and promote wellbeing and advise senior leadership on benefits matters.

To be successful in this role, you will bring proficiency in HRIS and payroll systems, strong analytical and project management skills, and close attention to detail. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills will help you collaborate across functions and support a positive employee experience. You will be adaptable, manage competing priorities efficiently, and stay current on industry trends and best practices, with a commitment to employee wellbeing.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years of directly related experience, or a equivalent combination of education and experience, with a bachelor’s level degree being equivalent to 6 years of directly related experience.
• Strong working knowledge of retirement and retiree health benefits plans, FMLA, absence and disability management, regulations governing these plans, general accounting, business practices, and benefits communication.
• Strong experience in benefits program management and administration, including program development and implementation.
• In-depth knowledge of benefits compliance and regulations, including HIPAA, ERISA, SECURE, COBRA, ACA, and FMLA.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.
• Professional certifications and knowledge of data privacy regulations are a plus.

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EEO & Pay Equity Statements

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Equal Pay Act Minimum/Range

$110,000.00-$140,000.00