Senior Benefits Specialist

The Senior Benefits Specialist is a vital member of our Human Resources team, responsible for the daily administration, communication, and compliance of our employee benefits programs. This role requires a meticulous and empathetic individual who can effectively manage complex information, provide exceptional employee support, and contribute to a positive and transparent benefits experience. 

Benefits Program Administration  

• Administer health, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefits, and other employee benefit plans.
• Review and process approvals for new hire enrollments, life event changes, and terminations, and maintain precise HRIS records while maintaining accurate records and documentation for all benefit transactions.
• Manage COBRA notifications and processes in coordination with third-party administrators.
• Act as the point of contact for all employee benefit inquiries across the MCG brands, providing clear and empathetic support while collaborating with brokers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Manage all benefits billing processes, including reviewing and reconciling carrier invoices, handling self-billed arrangements, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring timely payment in coordination with Finance.
• Coordinate annual benefits open enrollment, including system setup and communications

Leave Management

• Develop and maintain a clear, compliant, and comprehensive process for administering employee leaves, including FMLA, disability, personal, and other applicable leave types, ensuring consistency and a positive employee experience.
• Administer leaves of absence (FMLA, STD, LTD, personal leave), ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations and consistent employee experience.
• Coordinate with HR partners and Safety across MCG on case management and accommodation as needed.

401(k) Plan Management

• Serve as day-to-day administrator of the company's 401(k) plan, including enrollments, deferrals, employer contributions, loans, and distributions.
• Coordinate with plan broker, recordkeeper, third-party administrator (TPA), and finance to ensure compliance and accuracy.

Compliance and Reporting

• Maintain full compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, and other federal and state regulations.
• Prepare and deliver required benefit-related communications, including SBCs, required notices, and plan summaries.
• Support internal and external audits, including benefit plan audits and workers’ compensation reviews.
• Assist with annual audits, non-discrimination testing, other compliance-related reporting, and preparing and distributing all required benefit notices.

Employee Communications: 

• Deliver clear and engaging benefits communication (e.g., open enrollment materials, new hire orientations, benefit guides). 
• Promote a positive and supportive benefits culture, educating employees on benefit options, plan provisions, and utilization.
• Drive benefit improvement by researching and proposing search, as well as suggesting and implementing innovative solutions to improve the employee benefits experience, including evaluating new benefit programs and vendors.
• Administer and analyze the annual employee benefits survey results to assess employee satisfaction and identify improvement opportunities. Review annual benefits benchmarking data to ensure offerings remain competitive and aligned with market standards. 

Competencies and Required Behaviors:

• Safety Focus: Prioritize safety in all actions. Actively follow safety protocols, identify potential hazards, and take immediate steps to correct or report unsafe conditions. Model safe behavior for others and contribute to a culture of workplace safety.
• Have Humanity: Respect the input and ideas of everyone to create the best possible outcome.
• Be Transparent: Value transparency in all interactions, ensuring honesty and openness with each stakeholder. 
• Drive Innovation: Seek new ways to improve and take on new challenges. 
• Be Resilient: Adapt to the ever-evolving business needs enabled by resourcefulness and agility.
• Always Reliable: Deliver on your commitments and achieve your goals. Show up to work on time and complete your assigned tasks.
• Grit: Learn new things, actively seek feedback and training.
• Ownership Mindset: Take full responsibility for the quality and efficiency of your work. Proactively identify issues, offer solutions, and follow through. Treat company resources and goals as your own.

Required Knowledge / Experience:  

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, a related field, or equivalent experience
• 4 plus years of experience in employee benefits administration
• BSwift Platform experience is required  
• In-depth knowledge of employee benefits programs (health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), FSA/HSA, etc.) and all federal and state regulations that coincide, including, but not limited to, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, Section 125, ACA, Social Security, and DOL requirements 
• Proficiency in HR technology and data analytics. Paylocity experience is a plus
• Knowledge of payroll processes as they relate to benefit premiums and employer contributions
• Extremely proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Ability to prioritize workload, multitask, and work under pressure in a demanding environment
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Maintain confidentiality 

Work Environment and Physical Demands:  

• FLSA executive and professional positions paid on a salary basis, where project requirements and tight client deadlines may require workweeks over forty (40) hours (including weekends or holidays)  
• This role will work in an office setting, however, some visits to the production floor are required to engage staff. 
• Mobility: Ability to move around the manufacturing plant, including walking, standing, and climbing stairs. 
• Manual Dexterity: Occasional use of hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. 
• Lifting: Ability to lift and carry items up to twenty-five (25) pounds. All lifting should be done following OSHA standards. 
• Visual and Auditory Requirements: Must be able to see and hear well enough to navigate the plant safely and communicate effectively with team members.