As a member of the Human Resources Services (HRS) organization, the Lead Benefits Specialist provides strategic benefits partnership to the broader Total Rewards team and the lab.
The Lead Benefits Specialist works closely with the Employee Benefits and Systems Manager to provide benefit programs and initiatives that support the lab’s mission and helps attract and retain Argonne’s world-class community of talent.
This role requires a high degree of confidentiality, sound judgment, discretion, accuracy, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex research environment. The Lead Benefits Specialist performs responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead RFP processes and vendor evaluations, to select and implement benefits vendors and solutions.
- Monitor program utilization and identify trends, bringing forward recommendations for process improvements, operational efficiency, and enhanced program design or employee experience.
- Encourage employee feedback on benefits programs and services, incorporating input into program improvements and responding to stakeholders as appropriate.
- Partner with our benefits broker and outside vendors to ensure benefits programming operates efficiently.
- Contribute to Benefits projects, including system enhancements and annual open enrollment planning and execution.
- Support annual open enrollment activities including employee communications, system testing, education sessions, and issue resolution.
- Partner with Employee Benefits and Systems Manager on complex or sensitive employee cases (appeals, eligibility conflicts, etc.) requiring judgment beyond standard procedure.
- Maintain working knowledge of Workday benefit processes.
- Ensure accuracy of plan documents, SPDs, and SBCs to ensure they reflect current plan design
- Collaborate with Accounting/Payroll, Legal and other areas of HRS as needed.
- Execute benefits compliance projects with applicable government regulations, including, but not limited to required annual reporting (5500s, NDTs, ACA, 401(k) plan audit).
Position Requirements
- PA4: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources (or equivalent), or Business, or related field and 6+ years of experience in employee benefits, with a track record of strategic program analysis and process improvement.
- US citizenship: To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract.
- Knowledge of HR practices and administration.
- Ability to interpret and implement Argonne’s Human Resources, Laboratory and Division policies and procedures.
- Proven ability to lead RFP processes, including vendor selection, evaluation criteria, and implementation.
- Solid understanding of self-insured benefits administration, health plans, and retirement plans.
- Experience working with benefits brokers, including data analysis to support plan performance and decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to manage benefits vendor relationships, ensuring effective plan administration, service delivery, and timely issue resolution.
- Knowledge of pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements affecting employee benefits programs, including FMLA, ADA, ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, DOL and EEOC.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment, including anticipating business and HR partner needs and proactively bring forward solutions.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. (Intermediate Excel skills preferred).
- HRIS experience (Workday preferred.
- CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, or related certification preferred.
- Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork.
Job Family
Professional Administrative (PA)Job Profile
Employee Benefits 4Worker Type
RegularTime Type
Full timeThe expected hiring range for this position is $95,250.00 - $148,590.00.Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent)
- 6+ years of experience in employee benefits with strategic program analysis and process improvement
- Proof of U.S. citizenship to perform essential functions
- Knowledge of HR practices and administration and ability to interpret HR/Lab/Division policies
- Proven ability to lead RFP processes, vendor selection, evaluation, and implementation
- Solid understanding of self-insured benefits administration, health plans, and retirement plans
- Experience working with benefits brokers and using data analysis to support plan performance
- Demonstrated ability to manage benefits vendor relationships and resolve service issues timely
- Knowledge of federal and state regulations affecting benefits (FMLA, ADA, ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, DOL, EEOC)
- Experience executing benefits compliance projects and required annual reporting (5500s, NDTs, ACA, 401(k) plan audit)
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to handle confidential information professionally
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate across teams
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Intermediate Excel skills
- HRIS experience (Workday preferred)
- CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, or related certification
- Ability to model Argonne core values (impact, safety, respect, integrity, teamwork)
What We Do
Argonne National Laboratory, one of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories for science and engineering research, employs 3,400 employees, including 1,400 scientists and engineers, three-quarters of whom hold doctoral degrees.
