Sr. Benefits Specialist

ExplorUS; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ExplorUS is seeking a Sr. Benefits Specialist to oversee and continuously 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, COBRA, HIPAA, and state leave laws while delivering excellent service. The role focuses on benefits administration, vendor collaboration, and program design with opportunities to drive continuous improvement and employee recognition initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration or related field is required.
• 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 platforms.
• Excellent communication, organization, and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a compliance-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and administer employee benefits programs across medical, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, retirement, leave, and PTO for a multi-state workforce.
• Lead cost analyses, vendor evaluation, and plan performance reviews to improve benefits offerings.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and state leave laws.
• Collaborate with brokers, carriers, TPAs, Payroll, and HR Operations on plan administration and open enrollment.
• Support annual open enrollment with HRIS configuration and employee education.
• Administer 401(k) and retirement plans including enrollments, contributions, distributions, audits, and reporting.
• Oversee leave of absence and accommodations across jurisdictions.

Skills

Benefits administration

Regulatory compliance

HRIS

Payroll

Vendor management

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS platforms

Payroll systems

Benefits administration tools

Job description

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
• Compensation planning experience a plus

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.