Benefits Consultant

Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Benefits Consultant to join our fully remote team. The Benefits Consultant owns the full lifecycle of benefits and 401(k) administration across a portfolio of small and mid-sized employers. This role blends hands-on plan administration with consultative guidance — helping clients design, implement, and run benefits programs that fit their workforce, budget, and compliance obligations. The ideal candidate comes from a brokerage or benefits consulting background and is comfortable shifting between strategic plan design conversations and the operational details of enrollment, billing, and carrier coordination.

Key Responsibilities
Health & Welfare Benefits Administration

• Manage day-to-day administration of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary, FSA/HSA, and COBRA programs across multiple client groups
• Lead annual open enrollment from start to finish — strategy, communications, system build, employee education sessions, and post-enrollment audits
• Process new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and terminations; coordinate with carriers, payroll, and HRIS platforms
• Reconcile carrier invoices and resolve eligibility, billing, and claims escalations
• Maintain plan documents, SPDs, SBCs, and required compliance notices

401(k) and Retirement Plan Administration

• Administer 401(k) plans including enrollments, contribution changes, loans, distributions, and rollovers
• Coordinate payroll-to-recordkeeper data flows; reconcile contributions and resolve discrepancies across platforms like Guideline, Paycom, Gusto, and Paylocity
• Support plan audits, year-end compliance testing, Form 5500 filings, and required participant disclosures
• Partner with plan advisors and recordkeepers on plan design changes, fund reviews, and fiduciary best practices

Compliance and Risk Management

• Maintain working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS Section 125, and state-specific benefits requirements
• Manage required reporting and notices including 1094/1095, Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage, and Summary Annual Reports
• Identify compliance risks and partner with internal SMEs and external counsel as needed

Client and Vendor Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day benefits contact for assigned client accounts
• Manage relationships with carriers, brokers, TPAs, and recordkeepers
• Support renewals and RFPs in partnership with broker partners; analyze plan utilization, costs, and benchmarking data to inform recommendations

Employee Communications and Education

• Build and deliver benefits communications, enrollment guides, and education sessions tailored to each client's culture and audience
• Respond to employee questions with clarity and empathy, translating plan language into plain English

Qualifications
Required

• 5+ years of progressive benefits administration experience, with at least 2 years in a brokerage, benefits consulting firm, or PEO/HR outsourcing environment
• Hands-on experience administering both health & welfare and 401(k) plans for small and mid-sized employers
• Demonstrated success in a client-facing, consulting, or multi-client HR support environment
• Working knowledge of major HRIS and payroll platforms (Paycom, Gusto, Paylocity, BambooHR, or similar)
• Familiarity with 401(k) recordkeeping platforms (Guideline, Vestwell, Empower, Fidelity, or similar)
• Strong understanding of federal and multi-state benefits compliance
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with comfort presenting to both employees and leadership
• Prior experience working in a fully remote role

Preferred

• CEBS, GBA, RPA, PHR/SPHR, or SHRM-CP/SCP certification
• Experience supporting multiple client accounts simultaneously

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000 annually
• Benefits Package: Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, STD, LTD, PTO, paid holidays, professional development assistance, and 401(k) matching

We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Originally posted on Himalayas