This is a TEMPORARY position with a client in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration and delivery of comprehensive employee benefits and leave of absence programs. This role supports the overall Total Rewards function by ensuring benefits are competitive, compliant, and effectively administered. The position serves as a key resource for employees, providing guidance on benefit offerings and leave policies while maintaining strict confidentiality and compliance with all applicable regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Oversee daily operations of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability (STD/LTD), COBRA, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs, and retirement plans.
• Coordinate with external vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators to ensure accurate enrollment, eligibility, and premium processing.
• Maintain and update HRIS systems for new hires, life events, and annual enrollment.
• Support annual open enrollment, including system preparation, employee communications, and education sessions.
• Assist with benefits renewal processes and market reviews to ensure competitive offerings.
• Partner with Accounting and Payroll to provide benefits cost analysis, reporting, and audit support.
• Perform compliance testing for retirement plans and applicable benefits programs.

Leave of Absence Administration

• Administer leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA, parental leave, disability leave, military leave, and other statutory or company-sponsored leaves.
• Act as subject matter expert on leave policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Review, process, and track leave requests, ensuring required documentation is complete and compliant.
• Coordinate with HR, Payroll, management, and third-party leave administrators to ensure smooth leave management and return-to-work processes.
• Support ADA accommodation requests and participate in the interactive process as needed.
• Ensure accurate continuation of benefits during leave periods.

Employee Support & Communication

• Serve as primary point of contact for employee inquiries related to benefits and leave programs.
• Provide clear guidance and education through new hire orientations, enrollment meetings, and written communications.
• Maintain benefits content on internal platforms and ensure information is current and accessible.

Compliance, Reporting & Process Improvement

• Ensure compliance with all applicable benefits and leave regulations.
• Maintain detailed and confidential records in accordance with legal and organizational standards.
• Generate reports and analyze trends related to benefits utilization, leave activity, and costs.
• Support internal and external audits and compliance reviews.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance efficiency and employee experience.

Required Qualifications

• 2-3+ years of experience in benefits administration and/or leave of absence management.
• Strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, COBRA, and other applicable U.S. benefits and leave laws (multi-state knowledge preferred).
• Experience working with HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, ADP Workforce Now) and benefits administration systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a customer-service mindset.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• HR certifications such as PHR or SHRM-CP.
• Experience in professional services or corporate environments.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.