Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Specialist supports the day-to-day administration of employee health and welfare benefit programs. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate enrollment and eligibility processing, assistance with plan design, coverage verification, carrier communication, compliance with regulatory requirements, and coordination of wellness-related initiatives. Additionally, you will play a key role in ongoing support, claims assistance, and the management of COBRA. We are looking for a highly analytical problem solver who is comfortable communicating benefits with employees, carriers, brokers, and stakeholders, and have experience leading large projects. Experience supporting benefits administration in a multi-location, high-volume environment is preferred.

We are a family-owned and operated company, which means our core values have been passed down from generation to generation. We're constantly focused on innovation, attention to detail, and quality in everything we do.

This position works closely with the Benefits Manager and Benefits team to support company goals and provide responsive service. This position is based on site at our Corporate Office in Houston, TX and will be considered for a hybrid schedule upon completion of training.

Your responsibilities as the Benefits Specialist will include:

Benefit Administration

• Assist with routine administration of group benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and voluntary programs.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations including ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and ERISA.
• Track qualifying events, process COBRA notices, and assist with ACA reporting and audits.
• Assist with bi-weekly invoicing of missed premiums, ensure completed payment forms are received, and respond to inquiries regarding benefits payments.
• Assist with annual benefit plan audits and compliance filings, including 1095 reporting, 5500 filing, and other requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation and filing of benefit records and plan documents.

Wellness and Engagement

• Provide planning and administrative support for health and wellness initiatives such as flu shot events, corporate wellness days, and other health campaigns.
• Partner with carriers to support communication and awareness of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) mental health resources and other wellness-related benefits.
• Coordinate logistics with vendors, track participation, and support onsite setup when needed.
• Maintain benefit enrollment data and the benefit program information page in the HRIS system (Dayforce); ensure accuracy of eligibility, coverage levels, and payroll deductions. Monitor and troubleshoot EDI file feeds between Dayforce and carriers, escalate and resolve errors.
• Partner with carriers and brokers to resolve coverage and claim issues; audit eligibility files and monitor data feeds to vendors.
• Prepare, review, and distribute benefit-related communications and summary materials. Develop benefit education campaigns to increase employee understanding and utilization.
• Support the open enrollment process including communication, system testing, and employee guidance.
• Reconciles monthly premium billing with accounting system and carriers. Collaborate closely with Payroll to reconcile deductions, address discrepancies, and ensure accurate benefits-related pay adjustments.
• Maintain benefits materials inventory and assist with the distribution of enrollment packets. Perform ongoing enrollment orientation with team members.
• Serves as the main contact for employee benefit-related questions, offering timely support and guidance. Collaborate with brokers, carriers and internal teams to resolve issues and ensure a positive employee experience during benefits events such as new hire enrollment, life events, and open enrollment.
• Monitors industry trends and legislative changes related to employee benefit programs to ensure competitiveness and compliance. Provides recommendations on plan design updates based on findings and benchmarking.

To thrive as our Benefits Specialist, you must have:

• At least two years of hands-on experience administering benefits in a corporate environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Working knowledge of benefit plan documents, Summary Plan Descriptions, and other compliance notices.
• Experience coordinating with carriers, brokers, and employees to resolve benefit-related issues.
• Ability to communicate in a confident and clear manner in both verbal and written communication.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Positive, patient, and professional attitude while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Strong working knowledge of HRIS systems and carrier websites, including EDI file feed experience.
• Must be able to work independently as well as collaborate with a team.
• Ability to use tools and resources to make recommendations.
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel, Adobe, and Outlook.
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Restaurant, hospitality, retail multi-location experience preferred.
• Dayforce experience preferred.
• Bi-lingual preferred

Essential Physical Job Functions (with or without accommodation)

• This position requires the ability to multi-task with good organizational and project management skills.
• This position requires a focused, self-starter with the ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work well under pressure.
• Ability to use a telephone and converse with Pappas Restaurants employees.
• Physical requirements are the ability to perform manual data input function for up to 50% of an 8-hour day on a regular basis.
• Physical requirements include the ability to type and use office equipment such as a computer, calculator, postage meter, copier, and fax machine for up to 50% of an 8-hour day on a regular basis.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds and bend and stoop as necessary for filing.

Additional Info

This job posting contains some general information about what it is like to work at Pappas Restaurants and is not a complete job description. Pappas Team Members perform a number of different tasks every day, and this posting does not list all of the essential functions of the job.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done that will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the Company. Please contact teamresource (at) pappasrestaurants.com for assistance completing any forms or to participate in the application process.

Pappas Restaurants is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person