Benefits Associate

Job Title: Benefits Associate

Location: Jersey City, NJ (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Contract

Education: Bachelors degree (HR, Business, or related field) or equivalent experience

Industry Preference: Global FinTech, Fortune 500, or large multinational financial services firms

Must-Have Requirements

5+ years in Benefits Administration with expertise in:

• Health & Welfare Plans (medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance)
• Retirement Programs (401k, pensions, compliance filings)
• Leave Management (FMLA, state/local leave laws, ADA accommodations)

Multinational Experience (working with global teams/vendors)

Vendor & Compliance Management

• Managing broker/TPA relationships
• Ensuring ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, and other regulatory compliance

Technical Skills

• Advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data reconciliation)
• HRIS/benefits platforms (Workday, ADP, or similar)

Soft Skills

• Strong communication (able to explain benefits to employees & executives)
• High attention to detail (invoice reconciliation, audits)
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Key Responsibilities

1. Benefits Administration
   • Manage daily operations of US health, welfare, and retirement plans.
   • Ensure accurate payroll deductions and reporting.
2. Vendor & Compliance Oversight
   • Audit vendor performance, resolve issues, and process invoices.
   • Support internal/external audits (5500 filings, nondiscrimination testing).
3. Leave of Absence (LOA) Management
   • Administer FMLA, disability, and other leave programs.
   • Partner with HR, Legal, and Payroll for seamless processing.
4. Employee Support & Education
   • Conduct benefits orientations and resolve employee inquiries.
   • Advise managers on leave policies and benefits guidelines.