Benefits Specialist

Overview

Job Locations:
Chicago
New York City

​Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is the world’s foremost advisor on executive leadership, driving superior client performance through premier human capital leadership advisory services. For more than 70 years, we’ve delivered value for our clients by leveraging unrivaled expertise to help organizations discover and enable outstanding leaders and teams. Learn more at www.heidrick.com

Job Description:

Who We Are:

Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world's top organizations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organization and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.®  

Additional information on the firm can be found at www.heidrick.com. 

The Role:

The Benefits Specialist is part of the Total Rewards team and will play a key role in the administration of health, wellness, and retirement savings programs in the U.S. This role serves as the primary point of contact for U.S. benefit administration, including support for annual open enrollment and new hire enrollment. It will also provide exposure to various areas of benefit compliance, including audits, government filings, and annual reporting. This role will collaborate with human resources, payroll, finance, and legal colleagues on various programs, policies and initiatives while maintaining strict confidentiality regarding sensitive and complex information. In addition, the Benefits Specialist will assist as needed in global benefits projects.

Responsibilities:

• Monitoring the Benefits inbox, serving as the first point of contact for employee questions. Liaising with employees and vendors to assist with resolution of benefit issues.
• Owning the maintenance of all US benefit communications, guides, intranet pages, and job aids to support the entire employee life cycle, including pre-hire, onboarding and offboarding materials.
• Coordinating and processing of benefits payroll deductions and one-time payments with internal payroll team.
• Preparing for the annual benefits open enrollment process, working with internal partners and various vendors to implement changes, conduct appropriate system testing, develop communications and conduct employee meetings.
• Managing the U.S. new hire benefits process. Ensuring communications are up-to-date and conducting new hire benefit orientations.
• Reviewing, tracking, reconciling and processing applicable vendor invoices for payment.
• Coordinating the 401(k) savings plan daily, monthly and annual processes; includes payroll funding, working with auditors and ERISA experts on annual compliance testing, and providing support for audits and government filings.
• Administering the disability, workers’ compensation, and leave of absence programs for U.S. employees, working with the applicable vendor(s) and helping employees navigate the process.
• Staying current with benefits-related legislation to ensure compliance. (ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, SECURE Act, etc.). Assisting with related activities including but not limited to annual section 125 audits, IRS filings, and annual reporting/notice requirements.
• Overseeing benefit interfaces and providing support to the Workday and vendor integration teams as needed– partner with other teams to ensure processes are developed, documented, implemented and maintained.
• Complete routine updates and ad-hoc process updates within the Workday benefits module. This includes reviewing and approving life events, updating the enrollment experience, and other basic HRIS maintenance.
• Supporting global benefits projects and performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a minimum of two years’ experience in employee benefits.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive and complex information.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as attention to detail.
• Experience with project management.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements.
• Proactive learner, possessing a natural inquisitiveness and interest in self-development.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-performing, and client-focused environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships with vendors and key stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Workday experience, specifically with the Benefits Module.
• Comfortable using vlookups, pivot tables and formulas in Excel.

Pay Range Guidelines for this Position:

The salary range for this position is 65000 USD to 75000 USD. Compensation is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience and skills. In addition to your salary, Heidrick & Struggles offers discretionary bonuses (subject to eligibility requirements) and a comprehensive benefits package including: medical, dental, vision, disability leave, parental leave, paid time off and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). Note: we have a location based compensation structure; there may be a different range for candidates in other locations.

Heidrick & Struggles is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, or citizenship status.