Back Benefits Specialist

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC Office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the Program:

As our global environmental research organization has grown rapidly, our HR team growth has mirrored this change. Our US HR team of 5 supports over 700 WRI employees. Operating within the Global HR team in close partnership with our Centers of Excellence, the US team manages all aspect of HR for our employees around the country. As part of the US HR team, you will report to the US Benefits Manager and manage the daily administration and implementation of US Benefits.

Job Highlight:

You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work.

Reporting to the US Benefits Manager, you will deliver and administer benefits for the WRI US office. These benefits include health, death, disability, pension, wellbeing and time off benefits. You will be the first point of contact for staff queries and coordination with benefits vendors for all US benefits program. The benefits team works with the payroll team to ensure that the bi-weekly payroll is delivered accurately.

What will you do:

Benefits Planning, Design and Development (5%):

• Support the benefits manager in the design and development of any new benefit programs for the US office by providing market research, data analysis and any other information

  Benefits Administration and Compliance (40%): -

  📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

  ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

  Responsible for administration of all benefits plans which includes:

  • Process benefits and personnel action enrolments for new hires, terminations, change requests, leave requests, status request, sabbatical and other requests
  • Add and process new employee information in all benefits systems as well as maintain and update all personnel digital files and forms
  • Update HRIS database (workday) as needed to ensure staff enrolments and changes in all benefit plans (medical, dental, Life, AD&D, STD, LTD, HSA, FSA, Dependent Care, pension and any other benefits) are accurate.
  • Generate reports from database as necessary
  • Leave Administration: Manage Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Short Term Disability (STD), DC Paid Leave (DCPA), Maternity and Paternity Leave Program and other programs
  • Process invoices from benefits vendors, reconcile and audit monthly insurance invoices and deduction reports, and resolve billing, cancellations or change to coverages and HSA transmittals
  • Manage the WRI Open Enrolment process
  • Support the benefits manager in all compliance activities for US benefit plans, including regulatory filings, reporting updates, and audits
  • Ensure that the required inputs are provided on a semi-monthly basis to ensure payroll processes
  • Ensure all benefits related mail (delivered to WRI DC office) is attended to on a regular basis

    Vendor Management (20%):

    • Ensure all data is submitted on various vendor portals as needed
    • Ensure regular meetings with each vendor/ provider to ensure all employee queries are managed efficiently
    • Process invoices from benefits vendors, reconcile and audit monthly insurance invoices and deduction reports, and resolve billing, cancellations or change to coverages and HSA transmittals

      Communication and Employee Support (25%):

      • Respond to daily employee inquiries, which often involves advisement, troubleshooting, and benefit claims assistance
      • Serve as the main point of contact for benefits-related queries and escalations
      • Manage the benefits mailbox and respond to all employee queries within a reasonable amount of time
      • Respond to payroll and accounting teams on any data requirements within a reasonable time

        Other Duties (10%):

        • Contribute to global projects
        • Support Benefits & Compensation Director with US benefits budget
        • Assist in all benefits audits as needed

          What will you need:

          • Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study or equivalent work experience
          • Experience: You have a minimum of 4 years of work experience with at least 3 years in employee benefits administration
          • Extensive knowledge of US benefits in multiple US states and established network of support vendors
          • Proficiency in HR information systems, Microsoft Office, and SharePoint. Workday is preferred
          • Knowledge of US labour laws relating to employee benefits
          • Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; Strong interest in working with diverse employees with high expectations across all levels and functions
          • Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy with numbers with an interest in process improvements
          • Ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work independently
          • Ability to exhibit discretion in handling confidential information
          • Languages: Verbal and written English proficiency
          • Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

            Potential Salary: US salary range is between 69,000 and 78,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

            How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 31 October 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.