Sr. Benefits Specialist

ExplorUS Corporate; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ExplorUS Corporate is seeking a Sr. Benefits Specialist to oversee and improve health, retirement, leave, and wellness programs for a large multi-state workforce. You will serve as a benefits SME, ensuring compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and state laws while delivering excellent employee service.

You will lead open enrollment activities, coordinate with brokers and payroll, and administer 401(k) plans. Ideal candidates have several years of benefits experience, strong analytical skills, and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related field.
• 4–6+ years in benefits administration and HR ops for multi-state employees.
• Strong knowledge of ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and state leave laws.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll and benefits platforms.
• Excellent communication, organization and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a compliance-driven environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Oversee and administer benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), leave, PTO).
• Lead evaluation and improvement of benefits through cost analyses and vendor reviews.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state/local regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA).
• Coordinate with brokers, carriers, TPAs, payroll, and HR operations for administration and audits.
• Support annual open enrollment, including HRIS config and employee education.
• Administer 401(k) and retirement plan enrollment, payroll contributions, audits, and reporting.
• Oversee leave of absence programs and ensure multi-state compliance.
• Support audits, resolve escalated issues, maintain policies and notices.
• Supervise Benefits Coordinator and assist in recognition programs.
• Support compensation management through analytics and benchmarking.

Skills

Benefits administration

HR operations

Regulatory compliance

Vendor management

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/related

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Employee Navigator

Job description

Sr. Benefits Specialist At ExplorUS, you'll help shape the employee experience behind unforgettable destinations. Our Sr. Benefits Specialist supports the administration and continuous improvement of health, retirement, leave, and wellness programs for a diverse, high-volume, multi-state workforce. Serves as a trusted benefits subject matter expert, ensuring programs are administered accurately, remain compliant with applicable regulations, and provide a positive employee experience through exceptional service and support. This position is ideal for an experienced benefits professional who is passionate about benefits administration, compliance, and continuous improvement and is seeking a specialized role rather than a broad HR position.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, voluntary benefits, retirement plans, leave programs, and paid time off for a high volume, multi-state workforce
• Lead the evaluation and continuous improvement of benefits offerings by conducting cost analyses, reviewing vendor proposals, assessing plan performance, and supporting strategic benefits design initiatives
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, state leave laws, eligibility requirements, taxation, and mandated offerings
• Communicate with brokers, carriers, vendors, TPAs, Payroll, and HR Operations to support plan administration, billing audits, open enrollment, PTO administration, compliance filings, and employee communications
• Support annual open enrollment activities, including HRIS configuration, employee education, training, reconciliation, and ongoing support for employee and manager benefits inquiries
• Administer the company's 401(k) and retirement plans, including enrollments, payroll contributions, distributions, audits, benchmarking, renewals, and compliance reporting
• Oversee leave of absence and accommodation programs, ensuring consistent and compliant administration across all jurisdictions
• Support internal and external audits, resolve escalated benefits issues, maintain benefits policies and notices, and drive continuous improvement of benefits and employee recognition programs
• Supervise and support the Benefits Coordinator, ensuring timely, accurate administration of benefits programs and employee recognition initiatives
• Support the compensation management process through analysis, benchmarking, reporting, and program administration.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• 4-6+ years of experience in benefits administration and HR operations supporting multi-state employees
• Strong knowledge of ACA regulations, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and state leave laws
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration platforms
• Strong communication, organization, and customer service skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a compliance-driven environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Preferred

• CBP, SHRM-CP, or similar certification
• Experience supporting complex state leave programs (CA, NY, IL, CO, WA, HI, etc.)
• Employee Navigator experience

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status and all other status protected by law.