Benefits Specialist (Health & Welfare + Retirement)

Job Summary 
Our client is seeking a Benefits Specialist to join their team! The Benefits Services team is seeking a Temporary Benefits Specialist to support a high volume case environment across both Health & Welfare and Retirement (401(k)/pension) programs. This role is critical in absorbing day to day casework—currently totaling ~4,000 items in the pipeline—and enabling internal team members to focus on process improvements, automation initiatives, and vendor management activities.

The ideal candidate brings 5 years of hands on benefits administration experience (exceptional 4 year candidates may be considered) and is comfortable navigating a wide range of case types, from routine inquiries to complex tier 3 escalations. This is a highly employee facing role requiring strong communication, accuracy, and service orientation.

Core Responsibilities 

• Manage daily incoming benefit cases across: Health & Welfare (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, etc.) and Retirement (401(k), pension, deferred compensation)
• Resolve cases that cannot be routed to third party administrators; escalate when appropriate
• Conduct research, coordinate with carriers/vendors, and ensure timely, accurate case closure
• Handle a mix of quick resolution items and complex, research heavy cases
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees—estimated 80% employee interaction
• Provide clear explanations of benefit options, eligibility, processes, and next steps
• Deliver updates, acknowledgements, and follow ups with professionalism and empathy
• Maintain a positive employee experience during peak seasons 
• Interpret benefit plans and apply rules accurately to case scenarios
• Support back end administration tasks (~20% of workload)
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation in case management systems
• Use Dovetail (case management), SAP (HRE/payroll), and Marketer (legacy agency system)
• Follow established processes, SLAs, and service standards
• Identify recurring issues, process gaps, or opportunities for automation and improvement

Required Skills/Experience (Must-Haves) 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of employee benefits experience (Health & Welfare and/or Retirement)
• Demonstrated ability to manage cases in a high volume, fast paced environment
• Experience supporting tier 1–tier 3 inquiries and escalations
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn new systems quickly

Preferred Skills/Experience (Nice-to-Haves) 

• Experience with both Health & Welfare and Retirement plans
• Familiarity with 401(k), pension, and deferred compensation programs
• Background in HR shared services or benefits administration
• Experience with Dovetail, SAP, or similar HRIS/case management tools

Key Competencies & Behaviors 

• Customer-focused communication
• Ownership and accountability
• Adaptability in a fast-paced environment

Work Environment 

• Location: New York, NY
• Hybrid, 3 days onsite
• High-volume, employee-facing environment
• Team environment focused on operational improvements, automation, and service delivery enhancements

Compensation & Benefits 

• Pay Range: The approximate pay range for this position is between $50.00 and $59.00. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and location. We comply with local wage minimums. 
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Plans 
• Employee-Owned Profit Sharing (ESOP) 
• 401K offered 

This position is W-2 only. We do not work with third-party firms or C2C arrangements for this role.

About KellyMitchell 
At KellyMitchell, our culture is world class. We’re movers and shakers! We don’t mind a bit of friendly competition, and we reward hard work with unlimited potential for growth. This is an exciting opportunity to join a company known for innovative solutions and unsurpassed customer service. We're passionate about helping companies solve their biggest IT staffing & project solutions challenges. As an employee-owned, women-led organization serving Fortune 500 companies nationwide, we deliver expert service at a moment's notice. 
  
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