Benefits Specialist

Benefits Administration Specialist

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive
Benefits Administration Specialist
to join our People Services team. This role is responsible for the effective execution and administration of benefits and retirement programs across assigned markets, including health & welfare, savings plans, and wellness initiatives. The position has no direct or indirect reports and collaborates closely with internal partners across HR, Payroll, Finance, Centers of Excellence, and external vendors and brokers.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

• Manage end-to-end operations for employee benefits programs across designated regions, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and positive employee experiences.
• Serve as the escalation point for Tier 2 benefits inquiries, interpreting and clearly communicating plan provisions, policies, and processes.
• Maintain thorough documentation of procedures, including Local Work Instructions, training materials, and knowledge articles.
• Implement new benefits, design changes, and process improvements, collaborating with internal teams and system providers.

Day-to-Day Benefits Administration

• Oversee eligibility, enrollment, status changes, terminations, and claims.
• Liaise with system providers, brokers, and vendors; manage monthly updates in provider portals.
• Review and reconcile reports, data feeds, and system integrations.
• Administer vendor invoicing and payments, including PO creation, invoice validation, and payment tracking.
• Monitor and resolve service deviations; support administration of social security programs.

Annual Cycle & Compliance

• Lead annual and ad-hoc enrollment windows with benefits system partners and internal strategy teams.
• Review and update system-generated communications and HR portal content to ensure accuracy and market relevance.
• Support compliance activities, audits, risk assessments, and corrective action implementation.
• Complete annual benefit surveys when required.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with strategy and delivery teams to operationalize enterprise-wide benefits solutions.
• Identify opportunities to enhance People Services systems and processes.
• Develop and implement recommendations for benefits system changes; prepare documentation and support testing activities.
• Train team members and HR colleagues on benefits topics, processes, and system updates.
• Support wellness program administration and related communications.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive experience in benefits administration.
• Strong analytical capabilities and exceptional attention to detail.
• Solid understanding of HR policies, processes, and regional employment and benefits legislation.
• Proficiency in Excel (vlookups, pivot tables) and other Microsoft Office tools.
• Experience working in fast-paced, complex, and evolving environments.
• Strong business judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in multi-country and multicultural environments.
• Ability to convey complex technical information in a clear, accessible way.
• Demonstrated continuous improvement mindset.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Experience with HR processes such as talent acquisition, payroll, and performance.
• HR Shared Services experience is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with systems such as Workday, ServiceNow, Darwin, or Morneau Shepell platforms is a plus.
• Ability to coach others and build functional capabilities.

About Planet Pharma:

Planet Pharma is an American parented Employment Business/Agency that provides global staffing services with its head-quarters in Chicago and our EMEA regional office located in Central London. We have invested significantly in creating a robust international platform that enables us to work compliantly in 30+ countries with a current network of 2500+ active contractors globally as well as a very strong permanent / direct hire recruitment offering.

Our specialist knowledge and close relationships with our clients and the wider industry really makes us unique in our field. Just recently we were recognised by FORBES as the 17th best professional staffing firm, and have won multiple awards from industry accredited bodies for our commitment to excellence and service delivery. We have extensive functional expertise including: Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, QA, QC, Submissions experts, Clinical development, Quality, Biostatistics, and Medical Affairs / Writing.

We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.