Benefits and Compensation Specialist

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Overview:

Denison University seeks a Benefits and Compensation Specialist to play a critical role in designing, administering, and communicating the university's total rewards offerings. This includes health insurance, retirement plans, time-off programs, and compensation structures. Reporting to the Director of Total Rewards, this position ensures programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with Denison's strategic goals for attracting and retaining talent. The role combines strong analytical skills, attention to compliance, and a commitment to employee service.

Essential Job Functions:

• Administer Denison's health, life, disability, and retirement benefit plans, including vendor coordination and compliance monitoring.

• Serve as a resource to employees on benefit offerings, eligibility, and claims resolution.

• Manage benefit enrollment processes and facilitate education sessions during open enrollment and onboarding.

• Coordinate with vendors, TPAs, and brokers to ensure the timely and accurate processing of contributions and deductions.

• Support compensation benchmarking, job classification, and pay structure analyses using market data and internal equity principles.

• Ensure regulatory compliance with federal and state laws, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and ACA.

• Assist with the evaluation and enhancement of benefits and compensation programs by conducting market research and employee surveys.

• Create and distribute clear and engaging employee communication materials related to total rewards.

• Support leave administration and FMLA/ADA coordination.

• Maintain accurate data and documentation for internal and external audits.

• Participate in cross-functional HR projects and wellness initiatives that promote employee engagement and retention.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in benefits and/or compensation administration, and/or leave administration.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal employment regulations and laws.

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with a wide diversity of key stakeholders.

• Strong Analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Able to independently analyze and present data and information.

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

• A zeal for collaborating with and helping others; customer-service focused; helpful and positive attitude.

• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and compensation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience administering compensation and benefits programs in higher education

• SHRM - CP or PHR preferred.

• Proficient in Excel and data analysis.

• Experience with Workday or other human capital management systems.

Physical Demands:

• Must be comfortable in an office setting, operating general office equipment, including lifting boxes up to 20lbs.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!