Senior Benefits Specialist

At Macmillan Learning, we're committed to driving innovation that transforms education. We seek team members who thrive on pushing boundaries, envisioning future possibilities, and building solutions that make a lasting impact. Whether you're a Pioneer shaping bold new ideas, a Builder turning possibilities into reality, or a Stabilizer optimizing for success, you'll play a vital role in advancing our mission. If you're excited by the prospect of testing new technologies, implementing transformative strategies, and thriving in a fast-paced, innovative environment, we’d love to hear from you!  

In this role, you'll lead the day-to-day administration of our benefits programs while serving as the primary point of contact for employees, managers, and our benefits partners. You'll help employees confidently navigate their benefits, collaborate closely with our shared services team and external vendors, and play a key role in delivering an exceptional employee experience.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving problems, building trusted relationships, and continuously improving processes. As you build expertise in our programs and operations, you'll have opportunities to contribute to broader process improvements and strategic benefits initiatives. It’s an ideal opportunity for someone looking to continue growing their career in benefits.
At Macmillan Learning, we're committed to driving innovation that improves lives through learning. That mission starts with our people, which is why we're dedicated to providing comprehensive, accessible benefits that support employee wellbeing.

We know that talented candidates sometimes hesitate to apply when they don't meet every single qualification listed. We encourage you to apply if you're excited about this role and believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, even if your background doesn't align perfectly with every requirement. We're looking for people who are passionate about our mission and can bring valuable perspectives to our work. Different experiences, skills, and approaches all have the potential to strengthen what we do. If this opportunity interests you, we'd love to hear how your unique background and abilities could contribute to our team's success. We're committed to building a workplace where everyone can do their best work and where diverse viewpoints are valued. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply - we're excited to learn about the different ways you might add value to our organization.    

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Benefits Administration & Operations

• Administer all employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and voluntary benefits.
• Own day-to-day benefits operations including enrollment processing, life event changes, terminations, payroll deductions, and ongoing operational support.
• Administer Canadian employee benefits programs in coordination with local requirements.
• Maintain accurate and organized benefits records and ensure data integrity across all HR system.

Employee Support & Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all employee benefits questions and concerns.
• Provide clear guidance on benefits eligibility, enrollment options, plan details, and qualifying life events.
• Conduct benefits orientations and enrollment meetings for new employees and during annual open enrollment.
• Prepare and distribute comprehensive benefits communications, plan summaries, quick reference guides, and enrollment materials.
• Resolve benefits issues and disputes in a timely and professional manner.

Vendor & Carrier Partnership

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for benefits carriers, brokers, vendors, and third-party administrators, ensuring timely issue resolution and strong operational partnerships.
• Partner with our shared services team and external vendors to coordinate benefits administration, billing, eligibility, claims issues, and plan updates.

Leaves of Absence & Accommodation

• Direct employees and managers to appropriate third-party administrators for FMLA, disability, and other leaves of absence.
• Track and maintain organized records of all leave requests and accommodations in compliance with legal requirements.
• Provide guidance and coordinate accommodations for employees with disabilities, ensuring compliance with ADA and applicable laws.
• Manage the return-to-work process for employees on leave, including communication with employees and managers.
• Stay current on federal and state leave and accommodation laws (FMLA, ADA, workers' compensation) and ensure company compliance.
  

Required Qualifications:

•  Bachelor's Degree.
• 3+ years of experience administering employee benefits including experience supporting leave administration and employee accommodations.
• Strong understanding of federal and state benefits-related laws including FMLA, HIPAA, ADA, COBRA, and ERISA.
• Demonstrated ability to independently administer employee benefits programs while delivering exceptional employee support and maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong organizational and record-keeping abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to assist employees at all levels, managers, and external partners.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience administering Canadian benefits programs.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace.
• Experience working with benefits brokers and consulting vendors.
• Experience working with a hybrid disbursed workforce.
• Comfort using AI-powered productivity tools to streamline documentation, employee communications, research, or administrative workflows while maintaining data privacy and confidentiality.

Salary: $75,000- $85,000 / year.

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt    

Physical Requirements:    

Must be able to multi-task, concentrate in an open office work environment, and to travel occasionally. Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week as needed.    

The position is eligible for remote employment, excluding the following locations: Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Mississippi, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming. 

Benefits