Salem College · 2 months ago
Benefits and Compliance Specialist
Winston-Salem, NC
Part-time
Onsite
Mid Level
3+ years expSalem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country, dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders. The Benefits and Compliance Specialist is responsible for administering employee benefits programs, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, and providing support for payroll and HR functions.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Administer and maintain all employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans
Serve as the primary liaison between the institution and benefit providers, brokers, and third-party administrators
Coordinate annual open enrollment and benefit education sessions for employees
Process enrollments, terminations, and changes in benefit coverage in a timely and accurate manner
Manage compliance with COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, and other applicable regulations
Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and ensure timely and accurate payment
Support employees with benefits inquiries, claims, and problem resolution
Conduct periodic retirement plan audits to ensure compliance with plan documents, contribution accuracy, and reporting requirements; coordinate with external auditors and vendors as needed
Administer leave programs, including FMLA, workers compensation, parental, and other institution-approved leaves
Maintain accurate leave records and communicate with employees and supervisors regarding leave status
Stay current on changes in benefit laws and regulations, updating policies and processes accordingly
Assist in the preparation of compliance reports, including 5500 filings and other benefits-related documentation
Collect, verify, and maintain employee data required for institutional and government reporting
Prepare and submit federal, state, and higher education data reports, including IPEDS, EEOC, and other compliance submissions
Partner with institutional research and finance offices to ensure consistency, accuracy, and timely submission of HR-related data
Maintain secure, confidential data management practices in compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and institutional policy
Support HR data analysis and dashboards to inform decision-making and performance metrics
Cross-train and assist in payroll functions to ensure operational continuity and accuracy
Serve as a trained backup for full-cycle payroll processing, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements
Support payroll-related benefit deductions, adjustments, and reconciliations to ensure proper alignment between benefits and pay records
Cross-train and assist in additional HR functions such as recruitment, onboarding, personnel file management, and employee relations support
Collaborate closely with HR colleagues to ensure consistent and efficient service across all HR operations
Develop and distribute clear benefit communications, guides, and FAQs
Assist with HR orientations and onboarding sessions to explain benefit options and enrollment procedures
Support wellness initiatives and employee engagement activities related to benefits and work-life balance
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
Minimum of 3 years of experience in benefits administration
Strong knowledge of benefit and leave regulations (FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ERISA)
Experience preparing and submitting compliance reports
Detail-oriented with strong analytical, data management, and organizational skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to handle sensitive information confidentially
Commitment to accuracy, integrity, and continuous process improvement
Preferred
Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms, particularly Paycom, strongly preferred
Experience with retirement plan administration and audit processes preferred
Benefits
Health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and leave programs
FMLA, workers compensation, parental, and other institution-approved leaves
Company
Salem College
Salem College is a school in Winston Salem.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
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