Benefits Coordinator

Role Overview

KIPP Texas Public Schools is looking for a Benefits Coordinator to manage the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs. This role is crucial for ensuring accurate enrollment, compliance, and a positive employee experience. The Benefits Coordinator will be the primary point of contact for employees, vendors, and internal teams, providing guidance, supporting enrollment processes, and ensuring smooth coordination across various systems.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration and Support

• Manage and execute comprehensive benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans.
• Administer qualifying life events (QLEs), processing benefit changes, dependent updates, and required documentation.
• Assist staff with enrollment, QLE changes, and general benefit inquiries, ensuring accurate eligibility.
• Serve as the primary contact for benefits-related questions, including leave coordination (FMLA, short-term disability, long-term disability) and tracking required forms.
• Provide assistance with plan adjustments, coverage updates, and resolve escalated benefits concerns.
• Prepare benefits resources, employee communications, and enrollment materials.
• Lead yearly open enrollment initiatives, including system configuration, enrollment monitoring, and employee guidance.
• Audit payroll deductions and benefits records for accuracy.
• Maintain annual benefits administration calendars, processing timelines, and operational deadlines.

Compliance, Operations, and Vendor Management

• Act as a primary liaison between KIPP Texas and benefits vendors for issue resolution and administration.
• Partner with vendors, payroll, and internal teams to support benefits administration, including COBRA coordination.
• Collaborate with external vendors and internal teams to reconcile billing, resolve discrepancies, and address escalations.
• Oversee benefit documentation to ensure adherence to ACA, COBRA, and retirement reporting requirements.
• Conduct regular audits and reconcile benefit invoices and payroll deductions.

Operational Reporting and Efficiency

• Maintain benefits data integrity within HR systems and support reporting, auditing, and compliance activities.
• Generate and maintain participation reports, audit logs, and enrollment summaries.
• Monitor workflow timelines to ensure timely completion of administrative tasks.
• Identify and execute process improvements to enhance employee experience and administrative consistency.
• Engage in cross-functional partnership with Finance and HR Operations for seamless service delivery.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field strongly preferred.
• 2–3 years of experience in benefits administration or HR operations.
• Experience with reconciliations, reporting, and benefits coordination.
• Working knowledge of employee benefits programs and processes.
• Familiarity with applicable benefits regulations, such as COBRA.
• Experience with HRIS systems (Skyward preferred).

Key Competencies and Skills

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration and compliance requirements (ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, retirement).
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and data inconsistencies.
• Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong organizational, operational coordination, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll systems, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office applications.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work Environment: Hybrid work – reports to the central office or schools three days a week.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to move about inside and outside the school; attend conferences, meetings, and training sessions virtually and in person.
• Travel: Minimal travel to other school sites or regional offices.
• Additional Requirements: Reliable transportation needed for travel between campuses; ability to maintain emotional control under stress; work with frequent interruptions.

What KIPP Texas Offers

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.
• Paid family leave.
• Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock, life insurance, and disability insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.