Benefits Specialist

Executive Service Corps

. Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending, dependent care, health savings, parking, transit, and other assigned employee benefit programs.

Posted 9/29/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $55,000 - $65,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in administering employee benefits programs, including retirement plans and leave administration, while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Proficient in utilizing benefit enrollment systems, particularly Ellucian Colleague, to manage employee inquiries and maintain accurate records.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Benefits AdministrationRetirement Plan AdministrationEllucian ColleagueCompliance with FMLA and COBRAStrong Reconciliation Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Benefits EnrollmentLeave AdministrationRetirement Plan ProcessesACA ReportingVendor BillingOpen Enrollment AdministrationDocumentation Skills

Soft Skills

Customer ServiceConfidentialityCommunication

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointHR Information Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

CEBSSHRM-CPPHR

Industry Keywords

Higher EducationEmployee BenefitsBenefit CompliancePayroll CoordinationBenefit Audits

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending, dependent care, health savings, parking, transit, and other assigned employee benefit programs.
Guide new employees through benefit enrollment and process elections in the benefits enrollment platform and Ellucian Colleague.
Process qualifying life event changes, coverage terminations, dependent eligibility changes, beneficiary updates, and other benefit transactions.
Plan and administer annual open enrollment, including system configuration, communications, meetings, guides, deadlines, and completion tracking.
Respond to benefits inquiries and provide confidential assistance to employees, retirees, and eligible dependents.
Maintain benefits content, enrollment materials, guides, forms, and employee resources.
Administer retirement plan processes and the Retiree Benefits Program.
Liaise with benefit carriers, retirement providers, administrators, brokers, and vendors to resolve enrollment, eligibility, claims, billing, and data issues.
Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and enrollment records and prepare approved invoices for payment.
Coordinate with Payroll to validate deductions and funding for benefit arrangements.
Administer employee leave requests, including eligibility review, notices, documentation, tracking, and return-to-work coordination.
Coordinate FMLA, short-term disability, long-term disability, pregnancy-related leave, and other applicable leave processes.
Maintain confidential leave files and provide information to authorized parties.
Notify the Title IX Coordinator of confidential pregnancy-related leave matters when required.
Prepare Forms 1095-C and other required government documentation and employee notices.
Lead benefit plan audits, reconcile system discrepancies, produce documents, and track completion.
Prepare and distribute required retirement plan disclosures and other plan notices.
Maintain accurate and confidential benefit and leave records in enrollment platforms, Ellucian Colleague, and document systems.
Review processes and records for compliance with plan documents, University policies, and applicable requirements.
Monitor regulatory and plan changes and update procedures, communications, and forms.
Support benefit renewals, implementation activities, data requests, testing, and other assigned benefits projects.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Personal commitment to and ability to articulate support for North Park University's mission, identity, and Christian faith commitment.
Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, benefits administration, or a related field.
At least two years of experience in benefits, retirement, leave administration, payroll, human resources, or a closely related field.
Experience administering benefits in higher education or another complex employer environment.
Experience administering retirement plans, ACA reporting, vendor billing, and open enrollment administration.
Working knowledge of benefit enrollment systems and HR information systems; working knowledge of Ellucian Colleague is required.
Working knowledge of benefit and leave requirements, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, COBRA, HIPAA privacy requirements, and applicable benefits compliance practices.
Strong reconciliation and documentation skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and related productivity tools.
Eligible to work in the United States.
Preferred: Experience with benefits audits.
Preferred: Experience providing customer service in an employee-facing or customer-facing role.
Preferred: CEBS, SHRM-CP, PHR, or another relevant benefits or HR certification.