Senior Benefits Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION Position: Senior Benefits Specialist Location: Cincinnati, OH Job Type: Remote (90%), Travel (10%) Reports to: Director of Benefits and Compensation Department: North American Operations Position Purpose: The Senior Benefits Specialist administers and manages employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave administration, wellness initiatives, and voluntary benefits. This role serves as a key resource for employees and management, ensuring accurate administration, regulatory compliance, and exceptional employee experience. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Demonstrates the values and business principles of Leadec. Works safely at all times. Benefits Administration Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefit plans. Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and status changes. Ensure benefits data is accurate within HRIS and benefits administration systems. Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, communications, and employee support. Employee Support Respond to employee benefit inquiries. Educate employees on benefit programs, eligibility rules, and enrollment processes. Resolve escalated benefits issues with carriers, vendors, and third-party administrators. Vendor Management Serve as primary liaison with insurance carriers, brokers, consultants, and benefit vendors. Monitor vendor performance and service levels. Assist with implementation of new benefit programs and vendor transitions. Compliance and Reporting Support compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and other applicable regulations. Prepare and maintain required employee benefit documentation and notices. Assist with audits, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 support, and compliance reporting. Retirement Programs Administer 401(k) and NQDC plans. Coordinate eligibility, enrollments, loans, distributions, and employee education. Work with recordkeepers and fiduciary partners to resolve issues and support plan governance. Data Analysis and Process Improvement Analyze benefits utilization, costs, and trends. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, employee experience, and data integrity. Participate in benefits strategy and program design discussions. Adhering to and supporting all EHS and Quality objectives, in accordance with ISO 14001, 45001 and 9001 respectively. All other duties as assigned by Leadec manager. Competencies: Action Orientation Managing Tasks Open Communication Self-Management Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Communication Skills - Ability to communicate with all levels of Leadec and customer employees. Language Ability -- Talking to others to convey information effectively. Advanced knowledge of employee benefits programs and regulations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience with ADP HRIS systems preferred. Proficiency in Excel and benefits reporting. Excellent communication and customer service skills. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information. Strong project management and organizational skills. Position Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred. 5-8+ years of benefits administration experience. Experience managing health and welfare benefits and retirement programs. Strong knowledge of federal and state benefits regulations. Experience with Canadian Benefits preferred, but not required CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) CBP (Certified Benefits Professional) SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the key actions of the job: Required to talk and/or hear in an office setting (noise level is low). Frequently required to stand and walk on concrete surfaces for 4 -12 hours. Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; lift; climb or balance; kneel, crawl, stoop, or crouch. Vision requirements: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and focus adjustment. Work is performed in an office environment with significant time spent working on a computer or at a desk. As described in the Job Description