Job Description

This role is 100% on site in our Raleigh, NC Headquarters; after 90 days you would be eligible for a hybrid schedule.

Your Role In Our Mission:

The Benefits & Leave Specialist helps administer employee benefits and leave programs and ensures employees and managers receive clear, supportive guidance. This role provides expertise on complex benefit and leave questions, maintains compliant processes, and contributes to wellness initiatives and continuous improvement through audit efforts to strengthen processes and efficiency.

Job Duties: *denotes essential job function

*Benefits Operations

• Support day-to-day administration of employee benefit and retirement plans, ensuring accuracy, consistency across programs, and a positive employee experience.
• Troubleshoot enrollment, eligibility and claims issues with carriers and vendors; escalate complex issues to manager where appropriate.
• Monitor benefit data in HRIS and work with manager to ensure timely updates and corrections.
• Support benefit education across onboarding and throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Develop and update benefit guides, FAQ’s, communication materials and department SOP’s.

*Leave of Absence Coordination

• Administer leave of absence programs, serving as a main point of contact for employees and managers.
• Review leave documentation, track timelines, and ensure consistent, compliant communication.
• Coordinate with Employee Relations to provide guidance on complex leave or accommodation situations.
• Provide clear, empathetic support to employees navigating leave challenges.
• Partner with benefit team members to ensure adequate cross training and support for leave administration across the organization.

*Compliance, Audit & Quality Assurance

• Conduct periodic audits on benefit eligibility, payroll deductions, and vendor file accuracy.
• Support compliance of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA and state regulations, including retirement plan requirements.
• Assist with ACA reporting, non-discrimination testing, and documentation for internal and external audits.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce manual work and improve the employee experience

Open Enrollment Support

• Assist with planning and execution of annual open enrollment, including communications, employee education and system readiness.
• Review enrollment data for accuracy and coordinate corrections in HRIS and with vendors
• Support vendor and broker collaboration throughout the Open Enrollment cycle.

Wellness & Engagement Support

• Assist in the implementation and maintenance of a robust wellness & engagement program for staff
• Coordinate wellness initiatives and promote available resources
• Track participation and assist with evaluating program effectiveness; identify and recommend areas for improvement.
• Support employee engagement and recognition initiatives.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Payroll and other internal HR team members on cross-training and shared processes to ensure adequate backup and continuity of operations.
• Participate in special projects, system updates, and process improvement initiatives as needed
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of benefit and leave regulations, plan changes, and internal procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 3-4 years of hands-on experience in benefits administration, including health/welfare plans, retirement plans and leave of absence coordination.
• Experience using an HRIS to manage benefit data and reporting, perform audits, and troubleshoot discrepancies.
• Strong communication and customer service skills with the ability to explain complex benefit concepts clearly and empathetically
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems independently, and maintain a high level of accuracy
• Preferred experience with a 403(b) or 401(k) plan administration, open enrollment cycles and vendor coordination.
• Valid unrestricted North Carolina driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current vehicle insurance.

Equipment Used:

Standard Office & Communications Equipment: computer, printer, copier, phone, fax, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, HRIS

Essential physical requirements:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time while working at a computer
• Ability to communicate Cleary and effectively in person, over the phone, virtually and in writing

*Voted Raleigh’s Best Nonprofit Organization and Raleigh’s Best Mental Health Services two years in a row!

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Rev.6/8/2026