Benefits Specialist

Canandaigua, NY
Full Time
Direct Placement, HR Works Client Opportunities
Mid Level
HR Works is pleased to assist our client, a well-established and growing organization, is seeking an experienced Benefits Specialist to manage and support a comprehensive portfolio of employee benefit programs. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on professional who can quickly step in, take ownership, and drive accuracy, compliance, and a high-quality employee experience in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate brings well-rounded benefits expertise, strong technical proficiency, and the ability to communicate effectively with employees and leadership at all levels.

Key Responsibilities
  • Administer the full lifecycle of employee benefit programs, including health, welfare, and voluntary offerings.
  • Manage and coordinate leave of absence programs, including federal and state leaves, within a high-volume environment.
  • Support administration of retirement plans, including defined contribution, pension, and deferred compensation programs.
  • Maintain and optimize HRIS functionality, including benefits configuration, data integrity, and reporting.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to benefits and leave administration.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to deliver a seamless and efficient employee experience.
  • Provide clear, responsive communication and education to employees regarding benefits offerings and processes.
  • Develop and maintain process documentation to support consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Qualifications
  • 3+ years of progressive benefits administration experience, preferably in a high-volume or complex environment.
  • Broad, hands-on experience across benefits, leave administration, retirement plans, and onboarding/orientation support.
  • Working knowledge of retirement programs, including pension and deferred compensation plans.
  • Demonstrated experience managing high-volume leave programs (e.g., FMLA, state leaves).
  • Strong HRIS expertise; experience configuring or implementing benefit plans within a system is highly desirable.
  • Proven ability to quickly learn processes, document workflows, and work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage with senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
  • Solid understanding of benefits-related regulations, including FMLA, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
  • Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Salary range is $70,000 to $85,000 per year.  For full job description, click here.  
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