Benefits Specialist (Health & Welfare + Retirement

Job Summary

Our client is seeking a Benefits Specialist to join their team. The Benefits Services team is seeking a Temporary Benefits Specialist to support a high volume case environment across both Health & Welfare and Retirement (401(k)/pension) programs. This role is critical in absorbing day to day casework—currently totaling ~4,000 items in the pipeline—and enabling internal team members to focus on process improvements, automation initiatives, and vendor management activities.

The ideal candidate brings 5 years of hands on benefits administration experience (exceptional 4 year candidates may be considered) and is comfortable navigating a wide range of case types, from routine inquiries to complex tier 3 escalations. This is a highly employee facing role requiring strong communication, accuracy, and service orientation.

• Manage daily incoming benefit cases across Health & Welfare (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, etc.) and Retirement (401(k), pension, deferred compensation)
• Resolve cases that cannot be routed to third party administrators; elevate when appropriate
• Conduct research, coordinate with carriers/vendors, and ensure timely, accurate case closure
• Handle a mix of quick resolution items and complex, research heavy cases
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees—estimated 80% employee interaction
• Provide clear explanations of benefit options, eligibility, processes, and next steps
• Deliver updates, acknowledgements, and follow ups with professionalism and empathy
• Maintain a positive employee experience during peak seasons
• Interpret benefit plans and apply rules accurately to case scenarios
• Support back end administration tasks (~20% of workload)
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation in case management systems
• Use Dovetail (case management), SAP (HRE/payroll), and Marketer (legacy agency system)
• Follow established processes, SLAs, and service standards
• Identify recurring issues, process gaps, or opportunities for automation and improvement

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of employee benefits experience (Health & Welfare and/or Retirement)
• Demonstrated ability to manage cases in a high volume, fast paced environment
• Experience supporting tier 1–tier 3 inquiries and escalations
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn new systems quickly

• Experience with both Health & Welfare and Retirement plans
• Familiarity with 401(k), pension, and deferred compensation programs
• Background in HR shared services or benefits administration
• Experience with Dovetail, SAP, or similar HRIS/case management tools

• Customer‑focused communication
• Ownership and accountability
• Adaptability in a fast‑paced environment

Location:

New York, NY;
Hybrid – 3 days onsite. High‑volume, employee‑facing environment in a team focused on operational improvements, automation, and service delivery enhancements.

• Pay Range: $50.00 – $59.00 per hour
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Plans
• Employee‑Owned Profit Sharing (ESOP)
• 401(k) offered
• W‑2 only (no third‑party firms or C2C arrangements)