Benefits Integration Specialist

Description

Position summary

We are a small HR technology consulting firm. We help employers and their benefits partners get more from their HR and benefits systems.

The Benefits Integration Specialist keeps data flowing correctly between benefit administration platforms, carriers, and payroll and HRIS systems. You will use the platforms’ file-building tools to configure 834, comma-delimited and custom files, test them with carriers and vendors, and fix errors when they happen. You understand benefits well enough to know what the data should look like, and you have handled integrations in past roles. We will train you on our configuration approach, so you must be willing to learn and move quickly.

This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports. You will work closely with our senior consultants and directly with carriers, vendors and client HR teams.

Key responsibilities

File configuration

Configure outbound carrier files (834, comma-delimited and custom layouts) using the benefit administration platform’s file-building tools, file specifications and account structures

Configure payroll deduction files and inbound demographic files between HRIS or payroll systems and the benefits platform

Map plans, coverage levels, member and dependent data, and effective dates to each carrier’s file specifications

Set up file schedules, full-file or change-only logic, and secure file transfer (SFTP) connections with IT and vendors

Testing and go-live

Gather carrier and vendor file specifications and confirm requirements before building

Run test files, review carrier error reports and make corrections until files pass

Coordinate with carriers, payroll vendors and client HR teams to move files from testing into production

Document each integration: layout, field mapping, schedule, contacts and known exceptions

Monitoring and troubleshooting

Monitor scheduled file runs and catch failed or rejected files quickly

Investigate discrepancies between the benefits platform, carriers and payroll, and find whether the cause is data, setup or the file itself

Fix the root cause and correct affected records with the client and carrier

Update files for plan year renewals, new carriers, plan changes and acquisitions

Client and partner support

Explain file issues and fixes in plain language to client HR teams and brokers

Support senior consultants on implementations and open enrollment

Core competencies

Strategic thinking

Understands how a file error affects employee coverage, payroll deductions and client costs, and prioritizes fixes accordingly

Resourcefulness

Uses carrier specifications, platform documentation, vendor support and test files to solve problems without a playbook

Problem solving

Separates the symptom from the cause in file and deduction errors; validates with data before fixing

Learning agility

Picks up a new platform’s file builder, a new carrier’s specifications or a new file type quickly

Client and partner presence

Builds trust with carriers, vendors, HR teams and brokers; raises problems early with options

Ownership

Sees each integration through testing to production and keeps it healthy afterward

Attention to detail

Catches mapping, date and coverage errors before they cause a loss of coverage or a wrong deduction

Judgment and discretion

Handles employee, dependent and health plan data securely and follows HIPAA requirements

Clear communication

Explains technical file issues simply; keeps clean integration documentation

Self-direction

Manages many files and carriers across clients, especially during renewals and open enrollment

Expectations

First 30 days: completes training on our main platforms’ file tools; builds and tests files with a senior consultant reviewing

By 3 months: builds standard carrier and payroll files on their own and resolves most file errors without escalation

Ongoing: keeps every integration documented, responds quickly to failed files, and completes renewal file updates before open enrollment

Required

3–5 years of experience in benefits administration, HRIS or a benefits technology role

Hands-on experience in at least one benefit administration platform (for example PlanSource, Businessolver, bswift, Benefitfocus, Employee Navigator, Workday Benefits, UKG, ADP, Paylocity or Paycom)

Prior responsibility for setting up, testing or maintaining at least a few integrations, such as carrier or payroll files

Solid knowledge of benefit plan types, coverage levels, eligibility, effective dates and qualifying life events

Basic understanding of the 834 file and of how data moves between benefits platforms, carriers and payroll or HRIS systems

Strong Excel skills for comparing files, finding discrepancies and cleaning data

Willingness to learn new tools quickly with training

Preferred

Experience working directly with carrier EDI or connectivity teams

Experience with more than one benefits platform’s file builder

Familiarity with SFTP, file encryption and secure data transfer

Basic SQL or data query skills

Payroll deduction experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Information Systems or a related field, or equivalent experience

Requirements

Required

3–5 years of experience in benefits administration, HRIS or a benefits technology role

Hands-on experience in at least one benefit administration platform (for example PlanSource, Businessolver, bswift, Benefitfocus, Employee Navigator, UKG, ADP, Paylocity or Paycom)

Prior responsibility for setting up, testing or maintaining at least a few integrations, such as carrier or payroll files

Solid knowledge of benefit plan types, coverage levels, eligibility, effective dates and qualifying life events

Basic understanding of the 834 file and of how data moves between benefits platforms, carriers and payroll or HRIS systems

Strong Excel skills for comparing files, finding discrepancies and cleaning data

Willingness to learn new tools quickly with training

Preferred

Experience working directly with carrier EDI or connectivity teams

Experience with more than one benefits platform’s file builder

Familiarity with SFTP, file encryption and secure data transfer

Basic SQL or data query skills

Payroll deduction experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Information Systems or a related field, or equivalent experience