Benefits Specialist

We’re looking for a Benefits Specialist who thrives on accuracy, ownership, and oversight—someone who ensures our benefit spend is correct, defensible, and fully aligned across systems. About the Role The Benefits Specialist is responsible for hands‑on, day‑to‑day execution of benefits administration processes, with a strong emphasis on benefits billing oversight, eligibility accuracy, and vendor reconciliation. This role goes beyond processing invoices—you will actively review, validate, and reconcile carrier invoices against HRIS data and payroll deductions, identify variances, and partner closely with Finance to ensure benefit costs are accurate and appropriately resolved. You’ll serve as a key point of accountability for billing accuracy, helping prevent costly errors while supporting employees through benefits changes, life events, and open enrollment. What You’ll Be Doing Billing Oversight & Reconciliation - Review and reconcile monthly carrier invoices against HRIS eligibility data and payroll deductions - Investigate and resolve discrepancies related to coverage tiers, effective dates, and premium variances - Track and validate retroactive adjustments, overpayments, underpayments, and credits - Partner directly with vendors to research discrepancies, confirm corrections, and prevent repeat issues - Prepare and provide clear reconciliation documentation and variance explanations for Finance - Monitor recurring billing cycles and deadlines to support accurate, timely payments Eligibility & Data Accuracy Review and validate employee benefit elections, life events, and terminations for accuracy - Audit eligibility files prior to vendor transmission - Support HRIS-to-vendor file feeds and troubleshoot data or eligibility errors - Conduct recurring audits to ensure alignment across HRIS, vendor platforms, and payroll systems Benefits Operations Support - Support open enrollment through testing, validation, and post-enrollment reconciliation - Maintain benefits tracking logs, audit documentation, and process references - Partner with the Benefits Manager on escalated or complex billing and eligibility issues - Provide technical guidance to the Benefits Coordinator - Collaborate closely with Finance to reconcile premium payments and explain variances What You Bring to the Team - Strong analytical and reconciliation skills with a control‑minded approach - Ability to clearly explain complex billing or eligibility findings to cross‑functional partners - Exceptional attention to detail and follow‑through - Comfort working with large datasets, spreadsheets, and detailed vendor reports - Clear, collaborative communication style - Proactive mindset toward issue resolution and process improvement Education & Experience - 4+ years of benefits administration experience - Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred - 2+ years of carrier invoice reconciliation and billing analysis experience - Experience working with HRIS and vendor platforms (Paycom preferred) - Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP/INDEX‑MATCH, filtering, formula‑based reconciliation) - Experience supporting open enrollment, audits, and multi‑vendor environments - Background in high‑volume or fast‑paced HR operations Skills & Knowledge - Strong working knowledge of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits - Understanding of eligibility rules, qualifying events, and coverage structures - Experience reviewing and reconciling carrier invoices and identifying billing discrepancies - Knowledge of payroll deduction alignment, premium calculations, and retroactive adjustments - Familiarity with HRIS–vendor file feeds and data validation - Working knowledge of COBRA rules and leave‑of‑absence impacts - Ability to interpret rate sheets, eligibility reports, and complex billing data