BENEFITS SPECIALIST SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Updated: Sep 21, 2024 - The Benefits Specialist excels in simplifying and communicating complex information with exceptional project management and communication skills. Moreover, being solutions-focused enables identifying issues and potential solutions while effectively partnering with stakeholders. Additionally, excellent negotiation skills, along with comprehensive knowledge of pension and group benefits administration, ensure a strong understanding of applicable provincial and federal legislation.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Benefits Specialist Resume
  • Data analysis
  • Benefits software proficiency
  • Legal knowledge
  • Financial analysis
  • Excel proficiency
  • HRIS understanding
  • Benefit plan interpretation
  • Compensation knowledge
  • Budget management
  • Compliance reporting
  • Communication
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving
  • Empathy
  • Adaptability
  • Time management
  • Collaboration
  • Customer service
  • Analytical thinking

Summary of Benefits Specialist Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Human Resources Management with 5 years of Experience

  • Enthusiastic attitude, cooperative team player
  • Adaptable to new or changing circumstances
  • Professional demeanor, sensitive to client needs
  • Self-motivated, creative and innovative.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to self-check work.
  • Excellent time management skills, keeps manager informed of problems.
  • Remains informed regarding industry information and new product information.
  • High level of computer literacy including working knowledge of Windows 2003, Excel, Word and call tracking systems.

2. BS in Business Administration with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience administering health and benefit plans and/or benefits specialization.
  • Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws.
  • Proficient Microsoft suite software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel). 
  • Fluency in Excel navigating and comparing multiple spreadsheets, v-lookups etc.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience coordinating open enrollment, including communication, set-up, presentations, platform testing…
  • Ability to quickly learn and navigate through various benefits platforms. 
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and service orientation.
  • Keen analytical skill and an ability to reconcile and assess financial and billing documents.
  • Ability to be efficient and productive independently and while collaborating a team.

3. BS in Psychology with 2 years of Experience

  • Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Strong knowledge of payroll processes and relevant legal regulations
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Strong and proven understanding of various health and benefits plans including voluntary benefits.
  • Ability to demonstrate empathy, guiding employees on benefits as they experience life challenges.
  • Ability to handle pressure and manage projects simultaneously while meeting aggressive deadlines.
  • Ability and willingness to work a flexible and varied schedule as needed to support business demands.
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research into new benefits plans and changes to insurance and healthcare regulations

4. BS in Finance with 6 years of Experience

  • Customer-centric, organized and detail-oriented with strong MS Office Excel Skills
  • Flexibility and ability to reprioritize deliverables 
  • Ability to handle confidential colleague information with discretion and good judgment
  • Strong HR technology skills and experience. 
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
  • Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, COBRA, ERISA, ACA, HIPAA
  • Experience administering employee benefit plans in the health and welfare areas. 
  • Experience administering 401(k) retirement programs. 
  • Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations
  • Ability to work independently as well as collaborate and work cross-functionally to support team on projects

5. BS in Accounting with 8 years of Experience

  • Knowledge of employee benefits, COBRA and other federal/regulatory requirements
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with internal and external groups
  • Ability to hold sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and integrity
  • Ability to work under strict guidelines, competing priorities and immediate requests
  • Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to interact with individuals across all organizational levels, geographies and cultures
  • Ability to work as part of a team with excellent collaboration skills across other functions and with business partners
  • Excellent analytical and project management skills
  • Ability to proactively problem solve and apply innovative solutions
  • Ability to work and collaborate in a team environment, and ability to work independently and prioritize work
  • Quick thinking, initiative taking self-starter with a thirst for learning and unafraid to be out of comfort zone

6. BS in Economics with 7 years of Experience

  • Experience in the use of HRIS systems 
  • Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality
  • Strong interpersonal & communication skills.
  • Able to multi-task and stay organized.
  • Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, and Outlook).
  • Previous experience in payroll processing.
  • Previous experience with benefits management.
  • Experience with health and welfare administration and retirement benefit administration and compliance
  • Ability to work in a stand-alone role and confidence to engage business partners from across the global organization
  • Ability to research and identify solutions/ways forward in countries outside of own specific knowledge

7. BS in Health Administration with 6 years of Experience

  • Intermediate skill level utilizing Excel/Access to include analysis and report writing.
  • Ability to organize multiple sources of data with attention to details.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
  • Ability to conduct complex data audits.
  • Ability to inspire confidence, trust, and influence at all levels
  • Experience in managing or maintaining benefit programs
  • Strong ability to track and stay up to date with rules and regulations related to benefit laws
  • Ability to translate legal, medical and insurance related jargon into layman’s terms for clarification purposes
  • Ability to communicate complex ideas succinctly and accurately, to a broad range of people with varying degrees of pensions knowledge, in a professional and timely manner

8. BS in Public Administration with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience administering benefits programs including various insurances, retirement programs and Leaves of Absence, ideally in a global setting.
  • Intermediate to advanced Mac OS and Google suite skills (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides)
  • Creativity and focus on process: you’re constantly looking for ways to make things work more efficiently
  • An eye for global parity and regional expansion
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an appropriate blend of professionalism and friendliness
  • Incredible organizational skills, superb attention to detail
  • Strong analytical skills, a proven ability to execute processes, and a flexible approach to problem-solving, even in the face of ambiguity
  • Discretion and judgment handling confidential and sensitive data
  • Ability to be a team player, adept at working with multiple people at any given time
  • Experience with global or multi-region benefits programs

9. BS in Labor Relations with 7 years of Experience

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) with practical experience
  • Detailed and Meticulous, and comfortable working with multiple datasets
  • Able to work independently, pro-active, and resourceful
  • Ability to build and document programs and processes with an analytical eye
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills
  • Ability to work in a collaborative team setting.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and adhere to strict deadlines.
  • Ability to exercise strong problem solving and resolution skills.
  • Ability to provide a positive customer service experience.
  • Ability to maintain a professional and customer centric composure in difficult or challenging situations.
  • Ability to shift priorities based on the current business needs and to make progress in a timely manner on multiple, concurrent projects

10. BS in Social Work with 3 years of Experience

  • Ability to utilize a computer to enter, retrieve and manipulate data
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • General office environment., little or no exposure to adverse working conditions.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proven ability to organize and analyze data.
  • Demonstrated organization skills, attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to anticipate customer needs with a high level of responsiveness
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with fluency in local language and English
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently or as part of a team environment

11. BA in Business Administration with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience with benefit plans, benefit open enrollment and processing
  • Previous working experience as a compensation and benefits specialist
  • Prior experience in HR operations and knowledge of best practices
  • Good understanding of full cycle hiring process
  • Familiarity with current employment rules and regulations
  • Hands on experience with quantitative and qualitative research
  • Strong proficiency in MS Office programs (with a focus on strong Excel skills) 
  • Hands on experience with HR software (HRIS) and required. 
  • Detail oriented with a critical degree of accuracy regarding data entry
  • Ability to manage highly confidential material

12. BS in Finance with 4 years of Experience

  • Working Knowledge of applicable employment and labor laws
  • Demonstrated ability to meet goals while working under limited supervision
  • Ability to make recommendations to effectively resolve problems
  • Ability to implement Human Resources benefits initiatives and drive projects to completion
  • Ability to discreetly handle sensitive information
  • Superior organization, project management skills and attention to detail
  • High level of commitment to quality work product, integrity and compliance
  • Strong ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally
  • Strong attention to detail and hands-on approach

13. BS in Accounting with 2 years of Experience

  • Ability to simplify and communicate complex information.
  • Excellent project management and communications skills.
  • Solutions focused on an ability to determine not only the issue but the potential solution
  • Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to partner with stakeholders
  • Willing to manage all aspects of a project or task
  • Be a team player who can work closely as part of a team
  • Be self-motivated and resilient as well as flexible and agile to respond to a fast-paced working environment.
  • Ability to understand and interpret stakeholder requirements
  • Experience and excellent knowledge of pension and group benefits administration 
  • A strong understanding of applicable provincial and federal legislation

14. BS in Economics with 7 years of Experience

  • Excellent communication and client service skills
  • Experience in directly servicing plan sponsors and plan members
  • Strong mathematical and analytical skills
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft tools, including, Excel, Word
  • Ability to multi-task, plan, and prioritize work
  • Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team
  • Ability to prepare reports and present findings
  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
  • Effective communication skills (both written and verbal) with individuals at all levels of the organization