Senior Benefits Specialist / Benefits Manager
Accounting & Finance
Remote
Senior Benefits Specialist / Benefits Manager
Contract | Remote (U.S.)
Contact | David Kellogg, The Judge Group – dkellogg@judge.com
About the Opportunity
Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Benefits Specialist / Benefits Manager to provide maternity leave coverage and lead benefits administration across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. This position will have primary responsibility for supporting U.S. employee benefits programs, including ownership of the annual Open Enrollment process, benefits administration, employee communications, vendor management, and retirement programs.
This role is ideal for a benefits professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has strong Open Enrollment experience, and can work independently while partnering with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
Responsibilities
Benefits Administration
- Manage daily administration of employee benefit programs, including:
- New hire enrollments
- Life event changes
- Terminations
- Eligibility updates
- Employee questions and escalations
- Administer health and welfare benefit programs across assigned regions.
- Maintain accurate benefits records within the benefits administration platform.
- Partner with HR, Payroll, and internal stakeholders to resolve employee and system-related issues.
- Ensure smooth operation of benefits processes and employee support activities.
Open Enrollment Leadership
- Lead and manage the annual Open Enrollment process from planning through completion.
- Coordinate system configuration, testing, employee communications, enrollment monitoring, and post-enrollment audits.
- Manage timelines, project deliverables, and stakeholder expectations.
- Partner with brokers, benefit carriers, and internal teams to ensure a successful enrollment period.
Benefits Systems Administration
- Administer benefits through the organization's benefits platform (UKG experience preferred).
- Process benefits transactions and approvals.
- Ensure data accuracy between benefits and payroll systems.
- Support ongoing system enhancements, testing, and process improvements.
Vendor & Broker Management
- Serve as the primary contact for benefit carriers, brokers, consultants, and third-party vendors.
- Partner with Mercer and other service providers to resolve operational issues.
- Support carrier implementations, renewals, and vendor performance management.
- Maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure effective service delivery.
Employee Communication & Support
- Provide exceptional customer service and benefits guidance to employees.
- Develop and distribute benefits communications and educational materials.
- Conduct employee orientations and benefits information sessions.
- Respond to employee inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
Retirement Programs
- Support administration of retirement programs, including:
- 401(k) plans
- Pension plans (preferred experience)
- Partner with Fidelity and Payroll teams on participant inquiries and plan administration.
- Assist employees with retirement-related questions and escalations.
Compliance & Governance
- Support benefits compliance activities and regulatory requirements.
- Partner with brokers and advisors on reporting and compliance initiatives.
- Ensure adherence to federal, state, and regional benefits regulations.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of benefits administration experience, preferably in a multi-state U.S. environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading Open Enrollment programs from planning to post-enrollment activities.
- Strong knowledge of health and welfare benefits administration.
- Experience working with benefits administration systems and platforms.
- Experience managing vendor, carrier, and broker relationships.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Strong employee-service mindset and customer support skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
- Experience partnering with HR, Payroll, and business stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with UKG Benefits Administration.
- Experience in a self-funded benefits environment.
- Exposure to benefits administration in Canada and Latin America.
- Experience with benefit renewals and carrier implementations.
- Knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
- Experience supporting 401(k) and pension plans.
- Familiarity with Fidelity retirement programs.
- Experience working with Mercer or similar benefits consulting firms.
Work Environment
- Fully remote position within the United States.
- Must be available during Eastern Time Zone business hours.
- Collaborate regularly with teams across the U.S., Mexico, and Europe.
- Reports to the Global Benefits Leadership Team.
- No direct reports; significant cross-functional leadership responsibilities.
What Will Make You Successful
- Deep understanding of U.S. benefits administration.
- Proven Open Enrollment expertise.
- Strong employee communication and customer-service skills.
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple stakeholders.
- Detail-oriented, organized, and solution-focused.
- Comfortable operating in a highly visible and fast-paced benefits environment.
Start Date: September 2026
Assignment Length: Maternity leave coverage with approximately one month of knowledge transfer before leave begins.