Senior Benefits Specialist

OverviewA large, multi-site organization based in New York City is seeking a Senior Benefits Specialist to provide analytical, technical, and consultative support across the organization. This role ensures accurate benefits and compensation administration, HRIS data integrity, regulatory compliance, and timely issue resolution. The Senior Benefits Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for benefits, compensation, HRIS reporting, and onboarding-related processes, and works closely with senior HR leadership on annual cycles, audits, and cross-functional initiatives. This position includes oversight responsibility for one HR Coordinator.Key ResponsibilitiesAdminister and optimize the HRIS, including HR and benefits modules, and provide guidance to HR staff and stakeholders across multiple locationsCreate, maintain, and distribute standard and ad hoc reports; develop and update system procedures and documentation; support HR and payroll system testing and implementationsDeliver system training to users at all levels of the organizationServe as the primary point of contact for health and welfare benefit programs, including eligibility, plan administration, and Affordable Care Act complianceManage vendor and insurance carrier file feeds, enrollments, reconciliations, and ensure timely COBRA notificationsRespond to benefit inquiries from active employees, retirees, and COBRA participantsAdminister and monitor all leave programs, including FMLA, disability, paid family leave, prenatal, medical, and personal leaves, ensuring accurate tracking and regulatory complianceOversee PTO accruals within the HRIS, providing guidance on eligibility criteria and calculation methodologyPartner with senior HR leadership to support annual open enrollment, including employee communications, system configuration, testing, and implementationSupport retirement plan administration through data reconciliation, audits, and responding to participant questionsAssist with salary administration processes, including job grading, compensation inquiries, and annual exempt and non-exempt compensation cyclesCompile, analyze, and present compensation and workforce data for leadership reviewAdminister incentive pay programs by monitoring eligibility, communicating with employees, and ensuring timely and accurate paymentsManage qualified domestic relations orders, qualified medical orders, unemployment insurance questionnaires, and employment verificationsSupport compliance reporting, workforce analytics, headcount reporting, and other special or ad hoc projectsSupervise one HR Coordinator, providing guidance, coaching, and performance management