Senior Benefits Specialist

Petroplan; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading oil and gas operator in Houston is seeking a Senior Benefits Specialist to manage employee benefits programs. This role requires extensive experience in benefits management and regulatory compliance, specifically within the oil and gas industry. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree and 15+ years of HR experience. A competitive compensation package and full-time employment are offered.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in employee benefits or related HR functions.
• Advanced understanding of benefit plan design, regulations, and compliance.
• Oil and gas industry experience highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end administration of health & welfare, 401(k), and retirement plans.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other regulations.
• Mentor and coach HR team members to build future benefits expertise.

Skills

Employee benefits management

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

HR leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

SAP

SuccessFactors

BenefitFirst

Job description

Petroplan is working with a leading operator! We are seeking a Senior Benefits Specialist to join this team in a high-impact role in Houston, TX.

Position Overview

The Senior Benefits Specialist will lead the ongoing design, development, administration, and continuous improvement of the employee benefits programs. In this highly visible role, you will be managing program costs and maintaining compliance across all benefit plans, conducting audits, and 401K contributions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end administration of health & welfare, 401(k), and retirement plans
• Partner with brokers, vendors, and TPAs to ensure competitive, cost-effective programs
• Manage HR systems, eligibility updates, payroll deductions, and weekly data feeds
• Coordinate annual Open Enrollment, including setup and execution
• Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other federal/state regulations
• Coordinate audits, Form 5500 filings, annual nondiscrimination testing, and ACA reporting
• Conduct self-audits and streamline processes for efficiency and accuracy
• Analyze benefits metrics and industry trends to recommend solutions
• Support 401(k) plan reconciliations and maintain SERP plan data
• Develop benefits communications, presentations, and education sessions
• Maintain policy documentation and respond to employee inquiries professionally
• Mentor and coach HR team members to build future benefits expertise
• Monitor market trends and evolving best practices
• Collaborate with HR leadership to shape and execute benefits strategy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• Oil and gas industry experience
• 15+ years of experience in employee benefits or related HR functions
• Advanced understanding of benefit plan design, regulations, and compliance
• Proficiency with HRIS/benefits systems and Microsoft Office Suite, SAP, SuccessFactors, BenefitFirst a huge plus

Seniority Level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment Type

• Full-time

Job Function

• Human Resources

Industries

• Oil and Gas