Benefits Specialist

Position Summary

For over 40 years, North Hill, a not-for-profit senior living community located in Needham, Massachusetts, has provided vibrant living opportunities to people 65+ by offering a host of hospitality, wellness and health care services. The Benefits Specialist plays a crucial role in the administration of all benefits and retirement programs at North Hill. This includes managing various programs such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability, and the 401(k) plan.

The Benefits Specialist collaborates closely with Team Members, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure exceptional service and support are provided to our valued workforce.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Administers Team Member benefit programs in accordance with federal, state, local laws, and regulations
• Serves as the main point of contact for all Health and Welfare Benefits programs including, but not limited to, medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefit programs
• Acts as the primary point of contact for Team Member leave of absences, providing clear communication to Team Members and managers, and maintaining accurate records in the HRIS system
• Effectively interprets and applies FMLA and ADA regulations as they pertain to leaves of absences and disabilities
• Manages benefits administration including new hire enrollment, open enrollment and status changes ensuring accurate eligibility information is provided to the vendors through the HRIS system
• Performs reconciliation of all benefit related invoices and collaborates with Accounts Payable for timely payment
• Serves as the primary liaison with the Benefits Broker and coordinates vendor meetings
• Maintains accurate human resource information system records and generates reports from the database as needed
• Assists with onboarding and compliance of Team Member documents as needed
• Performs ongoing data validation to ensure all benefits and welfare compliance
• Collaborates with the HR team to develop and administer HR policies and procedures
• Supports the 401(k) program with inquiries, withdrawals, and other requests
• Ensures proper filing and tracking of injuries and incidents for workers compensation and submits annual OSHA reports
• Processes yearly EEOC filing
• Prepares reports, presentations, and visualizations to effectively communicate findings and recommendations to HR leadership and stakeholders
• Keeps abreast of State and Federal laws ensuring compliance across the HR department and organization to include: FMLA, PFML, STD, LTD, ADA, COBRA
• Partners with HR team to drive Team Member engagement and support North Hill’s programs and initiatives, such as professional development, recognition, and milestone awards
• Meets department uniform, appearance, and grooming requirements
• Complies with all OSHA safety regulations, local applicable laws regarding health, safety, or environment

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and strong customer support
• Complies with protection of health information (HIPAA) safeguards
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with Team Members, Residents, family members, visitors, and the general public
• Work professionally with people from a wide variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• When working in Resident areas, must be able to communicate effectively in English
• Attends and participates in in-service educational classes, Healthcare Academy and staff meetings as directed

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
• 2+ years of benefits administration experience
• Familiarity with Benefit Regulations (i.e., ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA)
• Experience with HRIS systems, report running and analysis
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced formulas, pivot tables, and data reconciliation
• Proficient with computer software programs (i.e., Microsoft Office Suite and Applicant Tracking Systems).
• Must be detail oriented and have a strong service orientation and excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.

Satisfactory completion of a background investigation is required for this position.