Benefits Specialist (51178)

Job DetailsJob Location: Maple Grove Office - Maple Grove, MN 55369Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 Salary/yearJob Category: Human ResourcesGradian creates custom-engineered thermal management solutions for markets that thrive on flexibility, creativity, and bold ideas. From humble beginnings to becoming an emergent multi‑brand manufacturing leader, we’ve grown by bringing in great people and empowering them to do great work. At Gradian, we believe innovation happens when everyone contributes, diversity of thought is celebrated, and people feel supported in their growth. We take pride in working hard together, tackling challenges, solving problems, and having fun along the way. As we expand into both emerging and mission-critical industries, we stay committed to delivering efficient, competitive, and sustainable heating and cooling technologies. And throughout your career here, you will have the chance to directly shape the foundation for what's next in our industry. Position Summary: The Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration, coordination, and continuous improvement of the organization's employee benefits programs while supporting key Human Resources operations. This role ensures the accurate administration of employee benefits, leave programs, HRIS data management, compliance reporting, onboarding support, and employee communications. As a trusted member of the HR team, the Benefits Specialist partners with employees, leaders, vendors, and external partners to deliver an exceptional employee experience while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This position plays an integral role in supporting HR operational excellence by maintaining data integrity within the HRIS, serving as a backup resource for payroll processing, supporting HR metrics, and reporting, and identifying opportunities to improve HR processes and systems. Key Responsibilities: Key Responsibilities Benefits Administration Administer the organization's health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), voluntary benefits, and retirement plans. Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, beneficiary updates, and eligibility changes accurately and timely. Maintain employee eligibility records and ensure compliance with benefit plan provisions. Support annual benefits renewals and open enrollment planning, including employee education, communications, enrollment meetings, and post-enrollment reconciliation. Partner with employees to resolve benefit questions, claims issues, and enrollment concerns. Leave Administration Administer leave programs including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, parental leave, military leave, and company leave programs. Coordinate leave documentation with employees, managers, medical providers, and third-party administrators. Monitor leave activity to ensure compliance with federal, state, and company policies. Maintain accurate leave documentation and confidential employee records. HRIS Administration Serve as the HR team's primary administrator for employee benefit data within Paycom and other HR systems. Enter and maintain employee demographic, employment, compensation, and benefit information. Audit HRIS records to ensure data accuracy and integrity. Support HR system testing, enhancements, upgrades, and process improvements. Create and maintain HR workflows, electronic forms, and system documentation. HR Operations Support Support the onboarding process by preparing new hire paperwork, coordinating benefit enrollment, and assisting with orientation. Assist with employee offboarding, benefit terminations, COBRA notifications, and exit documentation. Maintain electronic personnel files and ensure HR documentation complies with record retention requirements. Assist with employment verifications, unemployment claims, and HR correspondence. Cross-train with other HR team members to provide operational support during absences or peak workload periods. Payroll Support Serve as a backup resource for payroll processing and payroll audits. Verify employee benefit deductions, payroll changes, and leave-related pay adjustments. Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate deductions, earnings, and reporting. Assist with payroll reconciliations and year-end activities as needed. Vendor Management Serve as the primary liaison with benefit carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, wellness partners, and leave administrators. Resolve enrollment discrepancies, eligibility issues, billing questions, and service concerns. Participate in annual vendor reviews and support implementation of new benefit programs. Compliance & Reporting Support compliance with ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, Section 125, FMLA, ADA, workers' compensation, and other employment regulations. Assist with ACA measurement, reporting, and annual filings. Reconcile benefit invoices and ensure accurate monthly billing. Prepare reports for HR leadership related to benefits utilization, enrollment, leave activity, and compliance metrics. Maintain audit-ready documentation for internal and external reviews. HR Metrics & Analytics Develop and maintain HR dashboards and recurring reports related to benefits, leave administration, employee demographics, and HR operations. Monitor key performance indicators including benefit participation, leave utilization, enrollment accuracy, and service metrics. Identify trends and recommend process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and employee experience. Support HR leadership with data requests for executive leadership and board reporting. Employee Communication & Education Serve as a trusted resource for employee benefit and leave-related questions. Develop employee communications regarding benefit programs, policy changes, wellness initiatives, and open enrollment. Conduct benefit orientation sessions for new employees. Promote employee understanding and utilization of available benefit programs. Qualifications Required High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. Three to five (3–5) years of progressive experience administering employee benefits. Experience supporting leave administration, including FMLA, ADA, and workers' compensation. Strong HRIS experience utilizing systems such as Paycom, UKG, ADP Workforce Now, Workday, or similar platforms. Experience administering open enrollment and employee benefit programs. Working knowledge of ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and related employment regulations. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to create reports, analyze data, and reconcile information. Preferred CEBS, SHRM-CP, PHR, or related professional certification. Manufacturing or multi-site organizational experience. Experience supporting HRIS implementations or system optimization projects. Experience supporting payroll processing or payroll administration. Knowledge, Skills & Competencies Comprehensive knowledge of employee benefits administration and regulatory compliance. Strong understanding of HR operations and employee lifecycle processes. Excellent organizational and project management skills. Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism. Strong customer service orientation with a proactive, employee-focused mindset. Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify opportunities to streamline processes. Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating across departments. Success Measures Within the first 12 months, the Benefits Specialist will: Maintain a high level of HRIS and benefits data accuracy through routine audits. Successfully administer annual open enrollment with minimal enrollment discrepancies. Deliver timely and compliant administration of leave programs. Serve as an effective backup for payroll processing. Develop standardized HR metrics and dashboards to support leadership decision-making. Build strong partnerships with employees, vendors, and internal stakeholders while delivering exceptional customer service. Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, and the employee experience. Working Conditions This position primarily operates in a professional office environment with regular use of computers and standard office equipment. Occasional travel between company locations may be required. Qualifications