Benefits Specialist - Hybrid

Benefits Manager This role will oversee the design, implementation, administration, communication, and ongoing evaluation of the organization's benefits programs, policies, and procedures. Ensures benefits program supports the organization's business objectives and meets all legal requirements. Oversees benefits planning and programs including health and welfare, retirement and leave of absence programs. Ensures administration and maintenance of employee records, databases and systems including the HRIS (Workday) in connection to Benefits. Must adhere to the organizational Policies, Procedures, Code of Ethics, and all licensing and accreditation standards of the position. Must represent the organization's Mission in all actions and communications. Strategic Benefits Design, recommend, and administer all employee insurance programs including all health insurance plans, life, disability, and accident. Manage employee savings plans which include the organization's 403(b) plan. Responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, worker's compensation, life insurance, travel and accident plan, flexible spending plan, retirement plans, etc.). Collect and compile key HR metrics and data from relevant sources. Analyze trends and patterns with attention towards enrollment, utilization, absenteeism, leaves, recruitment, motivation, turnover and compliance. Prepare reporting of data including presentation, explanation and relative recommendations for Senior Leadership. Coordinate and oversee benefits enrollment events and administration of employee benefit plans including Open Enrollment planning, administration, and implementation. Develop and manage Wellness Programs, including wellness platform, offerings and communications. Effectively interpret Family Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act implications as they relate to leaves of absence/disabilities while managing the administration of leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork and coordinating with third party carriers. Act as Retirement Savings Plan Administrator including processing of rollovers, Qualified Minimum Distributions, loans, compliance testing and annual compliance audits. Conducts employee surveys, census, and other research and demographic efforts required to collect accurate quotes from benefit providers and compensation planning. Work with vendors to develop and launch communication plans to provide education and promotion of features surrounding benefits, wellness programs and initiatives including changes and developments related to eligibility, coverage and provisions. Manage the administration of Federal and State Loan Repayment programs. Process Qualified Medical Support Orders, ensuring compliance at hire and subsequent Open Enrollments. All other duties as assigned. Compliance and Administration Ensure compliance with all Federal, State and Local employment laws and regulations, including but not limited to; Affordable Care Act, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 5500, FLSA and ensure conducted/communicated timely and accurately as required by requesting agency. Maintain the HRIS system ensuring the accuracy of benefit data, including vendor interfaces, data integrity and addressing/correcting errors. Reconcile monthly benefit invoices. Perform plan audits in conjunction with broker. Prepare, collect and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with actuarial evaluation task forces. In conjunction with payroll, participate in accurate and timely delivery of employer contributions and employee payroll deductions to carriers, plan administrators, or other appropriate service providers. Coordinate with payroll to calculate and monitor benefit contributions for employees on unpaid leave Monitors administrators' and insurance carriers' reports to ensure the organization's compliance with plan requirements. Ensures the organizations and plans' compliance with the applicable provisions of COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA. Skills / Knowledge / Abilities: Knowledgeable in benefits plans and plan administration processes, including legal and regulatory requirements. Knowledgeable in local, state and national employment law and benefits-related laws and regulations. Demonstrated proficiency in HRIS systems, including building benefit plans and enrollment events, and implementing system modules. Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships and work in a collaborative team environment. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrated business acumen. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail including time and priorities management. Strong Analytical and problem-solving skills. Education / Licenses / Certificates: Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management or related field preferred. SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP CEBS professional designations preferred. Experience: A minimum of 3 years' professional, progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed above. Experience with 3rd party leave of absence management and system utilization, improvement processes, and implementation activities required. Experience leading benefits meetings, benefit consultants and/or executive leadership. Healthcare experience preferred. Workday experience preferred. Physical Requirements: Possible exposure to patients/clients with illnesses and/or infections. Frequent telephone and computer use, requiring manual dexterity for writing and computer use. Sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. May require bending, squatting, or kneeling and lifting up to 50 pounds. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required. Client Population Served: NA Who We Are: Cherry Health, Michigan's largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), operates in six counties across the state, is based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 800 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual's insurance status or ability to pay. We provide primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, substance abuse services, residential re-entry services, school-based health centers and more. Our Mission: Cherry Health improves the health and wellness of individuals by providing comprehensive primary and behavioral health care while encouraging access by those who are underserved. Our Vision: Our community will be healthier because we will seek out and welcome those who need our services. All will be treated as family with integrated, coordinated care to improve health and personal well-being. Our Values: Collaboration Support the Cherry Health mission by encouraging teamwork to accomplish organizational goals. Customer Service Serve internal and external customers in a welcoming manner with compassionate care. Innovation Embrace creativity to improve patient care and workplace efficiency while remaining curious and open to learning. Integrity Uphold the highest ethical standards by being honest and trustworthy. Professionalism Create a positive work environment where we care accountable for our decision, our action and the results. Benefits: Cherry Health has excellent benefit offerings dependent on employment status. Check out a sample of the benefits available to our team members below! Loan repayment through the NHSC and Michigan State Loan Repayment Program for select roles Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your family Generous Paid Time Off benefit 4 weeks per year for full time Paid holidays - 8 full day paid holidays (Including Black Friday!) and 2 half day paid holidays! 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with generous employer match - $ for $ match up to 5% MET and MESP 529 Savings Plans Pet Insurance! Employee Assistance Program Our policy is to offer all employees and applicants for employment equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability,

Created: 2026-03-06