Senior Specialist, Benefits

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Specialist, Benefits based in Canada.
Join a growing Total Rewards team responsible for creating and managing benefits programs that support employees across Canada and the United States. As a Senior Specialist, Benefits, you will play a key role in delivering a seamless employee experience while ensuring that benefits systems, data, and provider relationships operate effectively. You will manage employee inquiries and escalations, oversee enrollment processes, and use benefits data to identify opportunities for improvement. Working closely with People Operations and Total Rewards leadership, you will help shape future offerings and make benefits programs more accessible, efficient, and valuable. This role combines hands‑on administration with analytical work and process innovation, including the use of AI and automation to simplify routine tasks.
Accountabilities
Manage the employee benefits inquiry and escalation process from initial contact through resolution, providing timely, clear, and empathetic support.
Ensure accurate enrollment and benefits data transfers between the HRIS and external benefits providers, identifying and resolving discrepancies before they affect employees.
Analyze benefits utilization, costs, employee inquiries, and emerging trends to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Develop insights and recommendations for existing benefits plans and future offerings in collaboration with the Benefits Lead and Director of Total Rewards.
Manage relationships with benefits vendors, addressing service issues and ensuring providers deliver a high-quality employee experience.
Identify opportunities to streamline and automate benefits administration processes, improving operational efficiency and accuracy.
Enhance self‑service resources and documentation so employees can easily access reliable answers to common benefits questions.
Leverage AI tools to improve response times, support data analysis, and reduce repetitive administrative work.
Contribute to the ongoing evolution of benefits programs as employee needs and organizational requirements change.
Requirements
3–5 years of experience in benefits administration or benefits management, with exposure to both Canadian and US benefits programs.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret benefits data, including utilization, costs, and trends.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits topics in a clear and accessible way.
Experience managing employee inquiries, escalations, and exceptions with sound judgment, discretion, and sensitivity.
Demonstrated vendor management experience, including maintaining relationships and resolving service‑related issues.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
A high level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential employee information and sensitive situations.
A collaborative approach and the ability to build trusted relationships with employees, People Operations colleagues, and external providers.
Curiosity and adaptability, with an interest in adopting new technologies and AI tools to improve processes.
Nice to have: Experience administering benefits through Workday and exposure to benefits program design.
Benefits
Competitive annual base salary ranging from CAD $89,600 to CAD $112,000.
Equity compensation for permanent employees.
Comprehensive health benefits and life insurance.
Long‑term group savings plan with employer matching.
20 vacation days per year.
4 wellness days and unlimited sick and mental health days, subject to role eligibility.
Opportunity to work outside Canada for up to 90 days per year, subject to program eligibility.
Employee resource groups, including communities supporting 2SLGBTQ+ employees, women, and Black employees.
Collaborative and innovative work environment.
Full‑time, remote position based in Canada.
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