Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist

Reports To: Team Lead, Benefits Specialist

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Northbrook, IL Hybrid (3 days in office / 2 days remote)

Position Summary

The Client Support Specialist serves as the primary day-to-day resource for assigned clients and their employees, providing expert guidance on employee benefits, claims resolution, enrollments, qualifying life events, disability benefits, and ongoing benefits administration. This position partners closely with the Benefits Renewal Consultants and Benefits Operations Team to deliver an exceptional client experience. While Benefits Operations owns system configuration and technical administration, this role must possess advanced working knowledge of PrismHR and be capable of performing operational responsibilities when business needs require.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned clients and worksite employees.
• Respond to benefit questions regarding medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, FSA, HSA, HRA, COBRA, Section 125 and voluntary benefits.
• Assist employees with qualifying life events, claims issues, disability benefits, eligibility questions and benefit education.
• Coordinate with insurance carriers to resolve eligibility, enrollment and claims issues.
• Support annual open enrollment activities and employee communications.
• Develop strong client relationships and partner with Benefits Renewal Consultants to ensure a seamless client experience.

Operational Support & PrismHR Responsibilities

• Advanced working knowledge of PrismHR is required.
• Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations and benefit changes as needed.
• Assist with payroll deduction audits and benefit-related discrepancies.
• Coordinate COBRA administration and disability benefit processes.
• Partner with the Benefits Operations Team on benefit administration and processing.
• Assist with carrier invoice reconciliation, compliance activities and maintenance of employee benefit records.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of employee benefits administration experience.
• Professional Employer Organization (PEO) experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced working knowledge of PrismHR (required).
• Experience administering group health and ancillary benefits.
• Strong customer service, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Microsoft Excel proficiency.
• Illinois Life & Health License preferred.

Key Competencies

• Client relationship management
• Benefits expertise
• Attention to detail
• Adaptability and teamwork
• Process improvement mindset
• Ability to manage multiple priorities