Senior Benefits & Wellness Specialist

Access Healthcare LLC; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Access Healthcare LLC seeks a senior Benefits & Wellness Specialist to oversee strategic administration of employee benefits and retirement programs, including health, wellness, FSA/HSA, COBRA, and 401(k). You will lead renewals, manage broker relationships, ensure ERISA/ACA compliance, and drive wellness initiatives while partnering with HR, Payroll, and Finance.

The role requires extensive knowledge of benefits programs, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work independently in a

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits administration.
• Demonstrated experience leading annual benefits renewals and working directly with insurance brokers and carriers during the marketing process.
• Extensive knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, and retirement plan administration.
• Strong experience administering 401(k) plans, including audits, compliance testing, and participant administration.
• Experience managing unemployment, Workers' Compensation, General Liability, and Professional Liability claims.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with experience reviewing carrier renewals, claims reports, and benefit costs.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll platforms such as Paycom, Paychex, or similar systems.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• CEBS, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, or other benefits-related certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration of all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, FSA/HSA, COBRA, and leave programs.
• Manage the annual benefits renewal process by partnering with insurance brokers, evaluating carrier proposals, benchmarking market offerings, and negotiating competitive benefit plans.
• Develop long-term benefits strategies that balance employee satisfaction with organizational cost management.
• Oversee employee wellness initiatives and identify opportunities to enhance overall employee well-being.
• Serve as the organization's primary expert for complex benefits administration and escalated employee benefit issues.
• Administer the company's 401(k) retirement plan, including eligibility, enrollments, contributions, audits, distributions, reconciliations, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, and all applicable federal and state employment laws.
• Perform regular benefits audits, eligibility reviews, payroll reconciliations, and data integrity checks.
• Review and reconcile monthly carrier invoices and ensure payroll deductions are accurate.
• Manage unemployment claims, including responses, hearings, and documentation.
• Oversee Workers' Compensation claims from initial reporting through resolution while partnering with insurance carriers and third-party administrators.
• Manage General Liability and Professional Liability claims in coordination with insurance carriers, brokers, and legal counsel.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with insurance brokers, carriers, retirement plan advisors, and external vendors.
• Analyze utilization, claims, and benefits data to identify trends, recommend improvements, and support annual budgeting.
• Partner with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, and executive leadership to ensure seamless benefits administration and strategic planning.
• Continuously evaluate processes and implement best practices to improve efficiency, compliance, and the employee experience.

Skills

Benefits administration

Renewals management

ERISA compliance

401(k) administration

HRIS/payroll systems

Education

CEBS

SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP

PHR/SPHR

Tools

Paycom

Paychex

Job description

Access Healthcare is seeking a highly experienced Benefits & Wellness Specialist to oversee the strategic administration of our employee benefits and retirement programs. This is a senior-level position responsible for managing all aspects of benefits administration, broker relationships, annual renewals, compliance, claims management, and wellness initiatives. The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert who can work independently, provide strategic recommendations, and continuously improve our employee benefits programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the administration of all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, FSA/HSA, COBRA, and leave programs.
• Manage the annual benefits renewal process by partnering with insurance brokers, evaluating carrier proposals, benchmarking market offerings, and negotiating competitive benefit plans.
• Develop long-term benefits strategies that balance employee satisfaction with organizational cost management.
• Oversee employee wellness initiatives and identify opportunities to enhance overall employee well-being.
• Serve as the organization's primary expert for complex benefits administration and escalated employee benefit issues.
• Administer the company's 401(k) retirement plan, including eligibility, enrollments, contributions, audits, distributions, reconciliations, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, and all applicable federal and state employment laws.
• Perform regular benefits audits, eligibility reviews, payroll reconciliations, and data integrity checks.
• Review and reconcile monthly carrier invoices and ensure payroll deductions are accurate.
• Manage unemployment claims, including responses, hearings, and documentation.
• Oversee Workers' Compensation claims from initial reporting through resolution while partnering with insurance carriers and third-party administrators.
• Manage General Liability and Professional Liability claims in coordination with insurance carriers, brokers, and legal counsel.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with insurance brokers, carriers, retirement plan advisors, and external vendors.
• Analyze utilization, claims, and benefits data to identify trends, recommend improvements, and support annual budgeting.
• Partner with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, and executive leadership to ensure seamless benefits administration and strategic planning.
• Continuously evaluate processes and implement best practices to improve efficiency, compliance, and the employee experience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits administration, with significant experience managing health and welfare plans.
• Demonstrated experience leading annual benefits renewals and working directly with insurance brokers and carriers during the marketing process.
• Extensive knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS regulations, and retirement plan administration.
• Strong experience administering 401(k) plans, including audits, compliance testing, and participant administration.
• Experience managing unemployment, Workers' Compensation, General Liability, and Professional Liability claims.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with experience reviewing carrier renewals, claims reports, and benefit costs.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll platforms such as Paycom, Paychex, or similar systems.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• CEBS, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, or other benefits-related certifications are a plus.

Why Join Access Healthcare?

At Access Healthcare, you'll play a key role in shaping the benefits experience for our employees while supporting one of the nation's fastest-growing healthcare staffing companies. This is an opportunity for an experienced professional to make a strategic impact by improving benefit offerings, strengthening wellness initiatives, ensuring compliance, and building lasting partnerships with our brokers and carriers.

If you're a seasoned benefits professional looking for a leadership-level opportunity with autonomy and influence, we'd love to hear from you.