Benefits Specialist Job Description Template

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Benefits packages are costly, accounting for an average of 38.3 percent of total compensation per employee, and they’re getting costlier by the year. Like most employers, you’re probably looking for ways to bring these costs down. At the same time, you recognize that offering an attractive and innovative mix of benefits is a must if you want to attract top job candidates to your workplace.

Luckily, finding the sweet spot between holding benefits costs down while developing creative and innovative perks designed to attract today’s job seekers is where benefits analysts excel. It’s also why benefits experts are in high demand and that demand is only expected to increase in the years ahead.

So, how can you attract these highly valuable specialists to your organization? You need to start with a thorough, well-written benefits specialist job description. The template below, loaded with suggested job responsibilities and qualifications, can help get you started. For more ideas on what you might want to include in your job description have a look at current benefits analyst job listings.

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Benefits Specialist Job Description

[Intro Paragraph] Begin your benefits specialist job description with a concise paragraph or list of bulleted items designed to sell your workplace to applicants. Are you an industry leader with worldwide reach and lots of opportunity for advancement, or a fast-paced startup open to taking the lead on benefits and next-generation HR practices? Whatever makes your workplace special should be highlighted at the top of your job post. This is also a great place to talk about your philosophy toward work-life balance, community service and engagement, or diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Benefits Specialist Job Responsibilities: In this section, you should use a bulleted list to explain the role’s responsibilities in order of importance, as illustrated below.

  • Attracts and retains employees by researching, recommending, and explaining benefit programs.
  • Determines employee benefit practices by benchmarking best practices, researching industry and employment trends, and tracking legislation.
  • Determines employee benefit interests by conducting employee surveys, forming focus groups, and analyzing responses.
  • Recommends development and revision of employee benefit programs by examining, evaluating, and optimizing employee understanding, acceptance, and interests, costs, regulatory requirements, and competitive advantage.
  • Evaluates proposed employee benefit contracts by studying provisions and estimating impact.
  • Explains employee benefits by conducting meetings, preparing written and graphic announcements, presentations, and explanations, and responding to requests for information.
  • Provides management planning and control information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing employee benefit data and trends.
  • Maintains employee confidence by keeping benefit information confidential.
  • Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
  • Collaborates with other members of HR team to drive recruitment and retention strategies through the deployment of benefits programs that adhere to best practices and ensure company’s competitive position in talent acquisition with the industry.

[Work Hours & Benefits] In this section you should aim to sell the position to potential applicants, just like the first section of your benefits specialist job description sold candidates on your workplace. Highlight the position’s salary range, benefits, and bonus potential. To ensure that the salary range you mention is in line with similar engineering manager salaries in your sector, community, or region, use a salary tool that allows you to input job title and location.

Benefits Specialist Skills/Qualifications: In this section of your benefits specialist job description, you should use a bullet list to convey the qualifications you are seeking in an ideal candidate. If the list gets long, consider breaking it into two separate lists labeled “Required” and “Preferred.” Whether you use one list or two, begin with the most important skills you are seeking, as illustrated below.

  • Knowledge of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regulations, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws governing compensation
  • Knowledge of compensation and wage structure
  • Benefits administration knowledge
  • Familiarity with human resource management software
  • Quality management
  • Confidentiality
  • Reporting skills
  • Analytical research skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Developing standards
  • Employee retention
  • Onboarding

Education, Experience, & Licensing Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or finance; MBA or master’s degree in human resources a plus
  • 3-5 years related experience
  • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) preferred

[Call to Action] Your benefits specialist job description should finish strong with a call to action that urges applicants to fill out an online application, and/or send a resume and cover letter to a designated recruiter or hiring manager.

Find a Benefits Specialist Who Can Attract Top Talent and Hold Costs Down

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