Benefits Specialist

Job Title: Benefits Specialist

Location: Chicago, IL

Industry: Education

Compensation: $26.00 - $38.00 / hour

Work Schedule: Hybrid Schedule – 2 Days Onsite / 3 Days Remote

Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) benefits.

About Our Client:

Addison Group is partnering with our client, a well-respected educational institution in downtown Chicago, to identify a Benefits Specialist to join their Human Resources team. This opportunity offers a hybrid work schedule, exposure to a wide range of benefits administration functions, and the chance to support employees in a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

Job Description:

Our client is seeking an experienced Benefits Specialist to provide day-to-day support for employee benefit programs and leave administration. This individual will serve as a key resource for employees regarding benefit enrollment, eligibility, compliance, and leave-related matters while ensuring accurate administration of benefit plans and HRIS data. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, analytical, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced HR environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit inquiries, enrollment questions, and benefit changes.
• Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, voluntary benefits, and retirement-related processes.
• Process benefit elections, life event changes, new hire enrollments, and annual enrollment updates through the HRIS system.
• Maintain and audit employee benefit records to ensure data accuracy and compliance.
• Support compliance initiatives related to ACA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, and other applicable regulations.
• Coordinate leave administration, including FMLA, long-term disability, military leave, caregiver leave, and other employee leave programs.
• Facilitate new hire orientations and provide benefit education to employees throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Manage workers' compensation claims, documentation, reporting, and vendor communication.
• Oversee educational assistance and tuition-related benefit programs.
• Conduct regular benefit audits and collaborate with vendors to resolve employee issues and discrepancies.
• Assist with payroll-related benefit activities and ensure accurate deductions and benefit processing.
• Create, update, and maintain benefit communications, employee resources, and internal documentation.
• Prepare reports and support annual audits, compliance reporting, and benefits-related analysis.
• Recommend process improvements and assist with enhancing operational efficiencies within the benefits function.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of benefits administration experience.
• Previous experience supporting leave administration, compliance, and employee benefits programs.
• Strong understanding of federal and state benefit regulations, including ACA, FMLA, ADA, ERISA, COBRA, and Section 125 plans.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, and formulas.
• Experience working within an HRIS platform; PeopleSoft experience is highly preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex benefits information to employees in a clear and professional manner.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

Additional Details:

• Candidates should be comfortable working independently within a small, collaborative benefits team.

Perks:

• Opportunity to gain exposure to a broad range of benefits and leave administration functions.
• Join a close-knit HR team with direct visibility and impact.
• Downtown Chicago location near public transportation.
• Collaborative and mission-driven organizational culture.
• Long-term contract opportunity with potential for continued growth and experience.

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.

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