Senior Benefits and Compensation Specialist

NOTE: This is a full-time position and will be on-site at our corporate headquarters in Franklin, TN. Hybrid or remote availability is not offered. 

Position Summary: The Senior Benefits and Compensation Specialist is responsible for the administration, analysis, and continuous improvement of employee benefits and compensation programs. This role ensures compliance with applicable regulations, provides expert guidance to employees, and supports HR operations by delivering competitive, equitable, and cost-effective total rewards programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, retirement plans, voluntary or supplemental benefits, and base pay structures, salary ranges, and incentive programs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions related to benefits, retirement plans, leave programs, and voluntary benefits, providing clear guidance on eligibility, plan features, and distribution options.
• Conduct open enrollment sessions and benefits education workshops and assist employees with completing enrollment and benefits documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including ERISA, IRS requirements, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, and related policies; maintain accurate records within HRIS and payroll systems and support audits and required filings.
• Analyze benefit utilization, cost trends, and employee feedback to identify opportunities for improvement; recommend enhancements to programs, communications, and administrative processes.
• Coordinate with benefits carriers, retirement plan providers, third-party administrators, payroll, and internal HR partners to ensure timely and accurate processing of enrollments, changes, claims, and deductions.
• Administer and manage employee programs such as the employee referral program, including tracking, payouts, and program effectiveness.
• Oversee performance evaluation completion processes and ensure timely and accurate submission of merit increase inputs.
• Provide guidance and coaching to HR staff or other team members and support the resolution of escalated or complex employee cases.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Develop, administer, and monitor leave of absence programs in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
• Coordinate with payroll, benefits carriers, and vendors to process claims, enrollments, changes, and deductions accurately and on time.
• Maintain subject matter expertise in benefits programs, policies, compliance requirements, and system functionality to support team members and ensure high-quality service delivery.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in benefits administration, retirement plan management, leave administration, or related HR functions.
• Working knowledge of employee benefits regulations and compliance requirements, including ERISA, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, and IRS-related retirement plan rules.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, customer service orientation, and the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, analytical ability, and proficiency with HRIS platforms (Workday preferred), benefits administration systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or similar professional certification is preferred but not required.