US Benefits specialist at Orion Innovation in Kochi, Kerala

Job Overview:

The US Benefits Specialist will support the administration, governance, and continuous improvement of employee benefits programs in the United States. The role will ensure accurate and timely benefits administration across the employee lifecycle while partnering with HR, Payroll, Finance, employees, benefits vendors, and brokers. The role will also support benefits compliance, reporting, employee communication, and data integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer US employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement/401(k), FSA/HSA and other company-sponsored benefits.
• Manage day-to-day benefits activities across new hires, qualifying life events, status changes, leaves, terminations, and other employee lifecycle events.
• Coordinate annual benefits open enrollment activities including plan setup, eligibility validation, employee communications, enrollment support, and reconciliation.
• Partner with Payroll and HR Operations to ensure accurate benefits deductions, employer contributions, eligibility, and payroll integration.
• Coordinate with benefits brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and other vendors to resolve employee issues and ensure service delivery.
• Monitor benefits eligibility and enrollment data, identify discrepancies, and drive timely corrections.
• Support administration and reconciliation of 401(k), HSA, FSA, COBRA, life and disability benefits and other applicable US benefit programs.
• Support benefits-related compliance activities, documentation, audits, filings, and recordkeeping in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare benefits reports, dashboards, reconciliations, and management insights covering enrollment, participation, costs, utilization, and vendor performance.
• Support benefits cost analysis, renewal activities, plan comparisons, and data preparation for annual benefits planning.
• Develop and maintain employee-facing benefits communications, FAQs, guides, and process documentation.
• Act as a subject-matter resource for employees and HR stakeholders on US benefits policies, eligibility, enrollment, and issue resolution.
• Maintain accurate and confidential benefits records, controls, documentation, and auditready approvals in HR systems.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, automate, and improve the US benefits experience and administration processes.

Key Skills:

• Strong knowledge of US benefits processes, terminology, and administration practices.
• Advanced Excel skills with strong capability in data analysis, reconciliation, validation, and reporting.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems; exposure to HR analytics or reporting tools is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage confidential employee and benefits information.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with employees, HR, Payroll, Finance, vendors, brokers, and leadership.
• Strong problem-solving, follow-through, organization, and process-improvement mindset.
• Ability to work independently in a global HR environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience in US Benefits, Total Rewards, HR Operations, or Benefits Administration.
• Hands-on experience administering US employee benefits programs and managing employee benefits queries and lifecycle events.
• Strong understanding of US benefits administration, including health and welfare benefits, 401(k), HSA/FSA, COBRA, life and disability programs.
• Experience working with benefits brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and benefits technology platforms.
• Experience supporting open enrollment, benefits reconciliations, audits, reporting, and vendor management.