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Senior Benefits Specialist

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Administrative Skills, Background Investigation, Communication Skills, Compensation and Benefits, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Data Entry, Data Management, Data Quality, Documentation, Employee Benefits, Employee Retention, FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993), Human Capital, Human Resources, Human Resources Management, Identify Issues, Maintain Compliance, People Management, Policy Development, Problem Solving Skills, Procedure Development, Process Improvement, Regulatory Requirements, Service Delivery, State Laws and Regulations, Technical Support, Time Management, Workplace Issues
LOCATION
Fairfax, Virginia
POSTED
30+ days ago
Department: Human Resources

Classification: HR Analyst 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

To support the University's mission by developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive benefits programs, policies, and processes that attract and retain talented faculty and staff. Oversee and administer all University-sponsored benefit plans to ensure compliance, effectiveness, and exceptional service delivery.

About the Position:

The Senior Benefits Specialist is responsible for the effective administration, compliance, and optimization of employee health and welfare benefit programs. This role serves as the subject matter expert, ensuring programs align with regulatory requirements and organizational objectives. Key responsibilities include resolving complex employee benefit issues, supporting the institution with guidance and training, and collaborating on initiatives such as open enrollment.

The Senior Benefits Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining data integrity in the human capital system, delivering timely and exceptional customer service, enhancing communications, and driving continuous improvement across benefit processes. This role provides comprehensive support, guidance, and education to faculty and staff regarding benefit options and related matters.

The Senior Benefits Specialist serves as an advocate for employees, working to address concerns and resolve benefits-related issues effectively and efficiently.

Responsibilities:

Benefits Administration
  • Serves as a senior subject-matter resource for benefits-related research and information provided to faculty, staff, and retirees, requiring in-depth knowledge of the university's benefit plans, programs and policies;
  • Provides guidance, technical expertise, and support in resolving escalated or complex issues related to health and welfare plans, eligibility, and enrollments;
  • Serves as a lead contact for leave of absence administration, reviewing, monitoring, and tracking certified and reported leaves, including FMLA, Paid Parental Leave, and state-mandated regulatory plans, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance;
  • Provides comprehensive guidance to faculty and staff regarding group health, dental, life, disability, retirement, and other benefit programs offered by the university, interpreting plan provisions and applying policies consistently;
  • Responds to faculty and staff inquiries and complaints related to benefits enrollment and processing, resolving complex or sensitive issues and supporting timely, accurate, and courteous service delivery;
  • Provides senior-level support for benefits administration activities, including open enrollment, new hire enrollments, mid-year qualifying life event changes, and benefit terminations;
  • Collaborates closely with cross-functional partners, including Human Resources, Payroll, HR Data Management, HR Technology Services, and external vendors, to ensure accurate and coordinated benefits administration. Contributes independently and as part of a team to ongoing initiatives and special projects;
  • Communicates benefits information effectively through individual consultations and group presentations, supporting employee understanding of their benefits and how to select and maximize available options; and
  • Delivers accurate guidance and exceptional customer service in accordance with established policies and procedures. Utilizes university and vendor administrative systems to perform data entry, troubleshoot issues, and resolve complex benefits-related concerns.
Training, Communication & Process Improvement
  • Develops and delivers training sessions for HR, faculty and staff on benefits processes, and employee education materials and benefits information sessions; and
  • Identifies, implements and drives continuous process improvement initiatives to drive efficiency, accuracy, and employee satisfaction.
Benefits Data Auditing
  • Reviews and validates benefit eligibility changes resulting from employment/personnel actions, ensuring accurate reflection of benefit impacts and align

About the Company

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George Mason University

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