Title: Benefits Specialist

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday - Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: Finance and Administration

Department: Human Resources

Position Summary

The Benefits Specialist works with employees and their departments regarding the University's benefits package, including the retirement plan, medical and dental insurance, life insurance, long term disability insurance, cobra, as well as all voluntary benefits provided by the University. The Benefits Specialist processes enrollments, terminations, and changes to enrollments, maintains and updates the University database for specific benefit programs, prepares related payment reports and payment requisitions, and administers the Retirement plan and audit.

This role involves interpretation of plan documents, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with ERISA, IRS, and DOL requirements. Resolving participant escalations, directing vendors as necessary, problem solving, maintaining accurate business process documents and leverage data to conduct analysis. Provide support in developing plan design changes and vendor management in collaboration with the Director of HR Operations. Manages the Onboarding process.

Benefits of Working at Elon

Benefits of Working at Elon: Full-time Position

As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.

Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.

Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.

Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses

Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.

Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.

Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.

Free use of campus fitness facilities.

Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.

Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.

Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and 3-5+ years experience in core benefits in leading and administering health and welfare, retirement programs such as defined benefit/defined contribution plans including vendor management. Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be accepted.

Preferred Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree in business, human resources, accounting, or closely related field preferred. Prior experience with benefits administration and/or higher education preferred.

Experience with Colleague ERP system preferred.

Job Duties

• Ensures that faculty and staff are given accurate information and appropriate assistance regarding benefits by providing requested information, assisting with the benefit enrollment process, and making changes in enrollments and assistance with benefit problems, as well as providing assistance with claims issues as needed.
• Ensures the accuracy of benefit transactions, assures the compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and assures the appropriate use of university funds by maintaining an accurate database of benefit coverage, monitoring benefit enrollments, changes in enrollments, payroll deductions, and insurance carrier invoices and prepares monthly payment requests for long term disability, life insurance, and all administrative fees.
• Coordinates continuing coverage of benefits requiring a payroll deduction if employees are on leave without pay. Provides relevant information as needed to potential retirees.
• Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds. Helps to assure the overall success of the Office of Human Resources by working with and assisting fellow HR colleagues to promote awareness of benefits and wellness programs offered by the University