Benefits and Compliance Specialist

About Salem Academy and College

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country. Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 251-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders.

Position Summary

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering and coordinating employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and leave programs. The position ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and serves as the primary contact for employees, vendors, and administrators regarding benefit-related matters. In addition, this role includes cross-training and collaborative support for payroll processing and general human resources functions to ensure seamless HR and payroll operations and excellent service delivery to faculty, staff, and student employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Administer and maintain all employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the institution and benefit providers, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and benefit education sessions for employees.
• Process enrollments, terminations, and changes in benefit coverage in a timely and accurate manner.
• Manage compliance with COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ACA, and other applicable regulations.
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and ensure timely and accurate payment.
• Support employees with benefits inquiries, claims, and problem resolution.
• Conduct periodic retirement plan audits to ensure compliance with plan documents, contribution accuracy, and reporting requirements; coordinate with external auditors and vendors as needed.

Leave and Compliance Management

• Administer leave programs, including FMLA, workers compensation, parental, and other institution-approved leaves.
• Maintain accurate leave records and communicate with employees and supervisors regarding leave status.
• Stay current on changes in benefit laws and regulations, updating policies and processes accordingly.
• Assist in the preparation of compliance reports, including 5500 filings and other benefits-related documentation.

Data and Reporting

• Collect, verify, and maintain employee data required for institutional and government reporting.
• Prepare and submit federal, state, and higher education data reports, including IPEDS, EEOC, and other compliance submissions.
• Partner with institutional research and finance offices to ensure consistency, accuracy, and timely submission of HR-related data.
• Maintain secure, confidential data management practices in compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and institutional policy.
• Support HR data analysis and dashboards to inform decision-making and performance metrics.

Payroll and HR Cross-Training / Assistance

• Cross-train and assist in payroll functions to ensure operational continuity and accuracy.
• Serve as a trained backup for full-cycle payroll processing, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Support payroll-related benefit deductions, adjustments, and reconciliations to ensure proper alignment between benefits and pay records.
• Cross-train and assist in additional HR functions such as recruitment, onboarding, personnel file management, and employee relations support.
• Collaborate closely with HR colleagues to ensure consistent and efficient service across all HR operations.

Employee Support and Communication

• Develop and distribute clear benefit communications, guides, and FAQs.
• Assist with HR orientations and onboarding sessions to explain benefit options and enrollment procedures.
• Support wellness initiatives and employee engagement activities related to benefits and work-life balance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in benefits administration
• Strong knowledge of benefit and leave regulations (FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ERISA).
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms, particularly Paycom, strongly preferred.
• Experience preparing and submitting compliance reports
• Experience with retirement plan administration and audit processes preferred
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical, data management, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
• Commitment to accuracy, integrity, and continuous process improvement.

Physical Functions

While performing the responsibilities of the Benefits and Compliance Specialist the employee is required to sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds; occasionally stand, walk, and kneel and regularly ascend/descend stairs; use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard; perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation, view a computer monitor; perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and receive detailed information through oral communication; express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and work in an office setting.

Salem College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.