Benefits Specialist (Remote)

Overview: U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder Ongoing contract position, potential to transition to direct hire W2 with full benefits Remote position The pay rate for this full-time position is $35-$42/hr and benefits. Summary The People & Culture Sr. Benefits Specialist supports the employee’s experience by serving as the subject matter expert while providing an expert level of administration, analysis, and optimization of health and welfare, retirement and wellness programs. This role serves as the subject matter expert, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, managing vendor relationships, analyzing plan performance and costs while supporting organizational objectives. The Sr. Benefits Specialist partners closely with Payroll, Finance, Legal, HR Business Partners, and external vendors to ensure accurate plan administration and regulatory compliance. The Sr. Benefits Specialist serves as a point of contact for employees supporting day-to-day administration of health & welfare and retirement benefit programs. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding the organization’s compliance obligations, supporting employees Responsibilities: Benefit Administration & Operations Supports day-to- day administration of health & welfare and retirement benefit programs. Monitors day-to-day vendor management, including escalations, performance monitoring, and service delivery reviews. Ensures timely and accurate processing of enrollments, changes, terminations, and life events. Includes monitoring payroll deductions. Partners with HR, Payroll, and third-party vendors to resolve complex benefit matters. Ensures compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, and other federal/state regulations. Coordinates preparation and posting of required notices (e.g. SPD, SBC, 1095-C, COBRA notices). Assists with management and monitoring of the Benefits mailbox, while ensuring timely, accurate, and professional responses to employee’s inquiries. Handles requests related to enrollments, eligibility, life event changes, payroll deductions, and retirement plan questions. Supports audits (internal and external, 401(k), ACA) and regulatory filings including Form 5500. Maintain plan documentation and ensure alignment with plan design and policy. Analyze benefits utilization, trends, and cost data; prepare reports and dashboards for leadership. Lead or support annual open enrollment planning and execution. 401(k) & Retirement Plan Management: Serves as subject matter expert (SME) for retirement plan questions and administration. 401(k) administration - Monitor participation rates, deferral trends, employer match utilization, and plan engagement. Assists with nondiscrimination testing (ADP/ACP), compliance activities, and audit support. Coordinates with recordkeepers and payroll to resolve eligibility and contribution discrepancies. Strong knowledge of: ERISA and fiduciary responsibilities, Safe Harbor plan structures, Employer match formulas, IRS and DOL regulations. Familiarity with recordkeeper platforms and retirement plan administration processes. Benefits Data Analysis & Metrics Development: Tracks, categorize, and analyze employee inquiries to develop actionable operational metrics, including: Volume trends, Response time and service levels, Recurring issues and root causes Develops monthly and quarterly dashboards summarizing benefit performance and service data. Analyze enrollment, participation, and cost trends across benefit programs. Reconciles vendor reports with payroll and internal data to ensure accuracy. Identifies process improvement opportunities based on data insights. Summarizes plan performance: Present operational metrics and Highlight cost and participation trends Employee Support & Communication Provides compassionate, high-quality service to employees. Maintains timely, professional, and accurate communication using phone, email, and vendor platforms. Develops and deliver benefit communications and educational materials. Provides escalated support for complex employee benefits inquiries. Assists with benefits training sessions and information meetings as needed. Qualifications: Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Human Resources, related field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is required. 5-8 years’ experience of progressive benefits administration and analysis. Experience managing employee benefit inquiries in a high-volume environment. Experienced with Workday HCM and third-party benefits applications. Advanced analytical skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams) and reporting tools. Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies Excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate and develop partnerships across multiple functional areas, with vendors, and with all team members. Effective time management, strong project management and organizational skills. Strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives. Self-directed with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities. Consistently exhibits good judgment and discretion when dealing with sensitive information. Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products. Experience in a Technology, Engineering and/or Aerospace and Defense company is preferred. Attention to detail, follow-through, a sense of urgency, strong teamwork, collaborative skills, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple benefits projects with competing demands in a growing organization is required.