Benefits Specialist
Lawrence, MA
Little Sprouts – Home Office /
Full-Time /
Hybrid
Join a Dynamic HR Team at Little Sprouts
Are you a passionate and results-driven Human Resources Business Specialist looking to make a significant impact in an evolving organization? We are seeking a dedicated professional to join our evolving HR team, led by a visionary HR Director, who has joined us last year.
As a Human Resources Business Specialist, you will play a crucial role in driving HR initiatives and supporting our organizational growth and success. You will work closely with leaders across the company to provide strategic HR advice, implement best practices, and support our evolving needs.
In this hybrid role (3 days onsite in the beautiful Mill Buildings of the Riverwalk District in Lawrence, MA), this individual may work remotely up to 2 days a week.
The Benefits Specialist is responsible for delivering value-added services to management and employees that reflect the organization’s business needs. The successful individual acts as an employee champion for benefits administration while seeking to develop integrated solutions, growth strategy, and problem-solving. The position formulates partnerships across the organization and with external vendors to reflect the business objectives of Babilou Family. The role will participate in the daily functions of the Human Resources team including assisting the Director, Human Resources and colleagues with all facets of benefits administration.
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Benefits/Leave Administrator to manage and oversee our company's employee benefits programs. This role involves administering entire benefits package inclusive of health, HSA, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid leave, wellness initiatives, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for enhancing the employee experience. The primary function of the role is to partner with the employees in providing active guidance in supporting the complex HR lifecycle and corresponding HR strategies in achieving the highest quality of the employee experience.
Salary: Commensurate with experience – salary is up to $70,000.
Role & Responsibilities (including, although not limited to):
- Benefits administration:
- Administer and manage employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, retirement, supplemental and leave policies.
- Ensure compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and company policies.
- Monthly and Quarterly invoice reconciliation
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and resolve issues.
- Conduct benefits orientations and educational programs for new and existing employees.
- New Hire Check-Ins to ensure needs are met, value proposition of benefits are understood and benefits selection made 72 hours in as well at the 2 week and 30 day marker.
- Develop and implment employee communication materials, FAQs and internal resources to increase awareness and engagement with benefit offerings.
- Collaborate with insurance providers, brokers, and vendors to maintain and improve benefit offerings.
- Research new employee benefit plans and vendors to identify those that present the best value.
- Oversee benefits enrollments, changes, and terminations efficiently.
- Maintain and update employee benefits records and SPD documentation.
- Ensure benefits changes are entered appropriately in the payroll system for payroll deductions.
- Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
- Assist with the preparation of annual reports and audits related to employee benefits.
- Stay updated on industry trends and legislative changes to recommend policy improvements.
- Review weekly payroll reports for benefit deduction accuracies.
Program Administration:
Employee Support:
Vendor Management:
Enrollment & Documentation:
Compliance & Reporting:
Leave Administration:
- Administer and track employee leaves of absence in accordance with company policies and legal regulations (FMLA, ADA, workers’ compensation, etc.).
- Serve as the primary contact for employees requesting or currently on leave, providing guidance and support throughout the process.
- Review medical certifications and documentation to determine eligibility and appropriate leave duration.
- Maintain accurate records of all leaves in HRIS or leave management systems.
- Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including managers, payroll, and benefits, to ensure accurate processing of leaves.
- Monitor leave timelines and notify employees of required actions or documentation.
- Ensure timely and accurate return-to-work processes, including accommodations if necessary.
- Stay current on changes to leave laws and ensure company compliance.
- Assist in the development and implementation of leave-related policies and procedures.
- Provide training or guidance to HR staff and managers regarding leave processes and compliance requirements.
- Invoice employees out on Administrative Leave, Leave of Absence, and delayed enrollments.
- Maintain awareness of current trends in Human Resources through active reading, research, and participation in continuing education and ensure the Director of Human Resources is apprised promptly of all serious matters, trends, or observations.
- Analyze trends and metrics in partnership with the Director, Human Resources and HR Team to develop solutions, programs, and policies while suggesting new HR strategies and initiatives and implementation. Support the team to achieve Babilou Family’s strategic objectives by acting as the project manager on a range of different projects and responsibilities.
- Utilize data and work closely with decision-makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement and support solutions for all aspects of the organization.
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience as a Benefits/Leave Administrator or in a similar HR role.
- Knowledge of employee benefits laws and regulations.
- Proficiency in HRIS and benefits management software.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
- Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality
- Other job-related duties or tasks as assigned. Babilou Family is a team-orientated company where our employees are expected to perform any duty required to advance the mission of the association, regardless of whether the duty is listed in any specific job description.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact with all levels of employees and customers while maintaining professionalism.
- Proficient in the use of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc). Ability to pick up new concepts and software quickly and easily.
- Capable of being able to pivot and reorganize, prioritize, and schedule work assignments to meet company needs.
- Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service
- Project Management
- Keen attention to data quality and integrity
- Agile working style and comfortable working with ambiguity and fluidity while being self-motivated.
- "Team player", that is cooperative, supportive, and helps other team members. Practices a daily “manage-up” work style.
- Entrepreneurial mindset for growth and transformational change.
Commitments:
- Team Spirit: We believe in the talent of everyone, in their individual intelligence and sense of collective responsibility. Together we grow.
- We support each other for individual and collective success
- We value diversity to build better outcomes
- We are kind respectful and trusting.
- Passion: We are ambitious, passionate, and driven by a common purpose.
- We do things with heart and care.
- We enjoy getting people on board our collective mission.
- Continuous Learning: We embrace humility to question ourselves and commit to being lifelong learners.
- We are curious and aim for progress
- We learn from each other all the time
- We learn from the environment and everything around us.
Physical Demands:
- Must be able to lift, carry, push and/or pull up to 15 pounds without the assistance of another person. Performing physical activities that require considerable (20%+ of the day) use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
We offer:
- Health benefits are available upon start date.
- Free Subscription to First Stop Health; receive ongoing care from doctors and prescribers through easy telehealth services.
- Up to 75% discount on your child's tuition (Option for the initial $5,000 of tuition to be taken out of your paycheck before taxes through payroll deductions.)
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and pet insurance.
- 401k with company match.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Career advancement and coaching.
- Additional Paid Time off and Holidays.
- Referral Program.
$0 - $70,000 a year
Commensurate with experience – salary is up to $70,000.
We’re Growing! Little Sprouts LLC is a subsidiary of Babilou Family, a global network of 1,200 early education and child care centers. Little Sprouts LLC provides award-winning early education and child care across 39 New England schools. Through the experience and talents of over 1,000 early education professionals and in partnership with nearly 4,500 families, we are on a meaningful journey to create optimal learning spaces where children ages 0-5 can learn, grow, and thrive.
#LI-Hybrid
