Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Specialist will provide the highest quality customer service and guidance on all benefit matters. They will serve as the “face of HR” to DFCI’s workforce by resolving issues and championing process improvements. Additionally, this roll processes transactions in PeopleSoft (Human Resource Information System), and shares responsibility for benefits systems reporting and maintaining electronic vendor files.

This is a time limited role with an expected end date of March 2026.

The work location of this position is remote with occasional time on-campus in Boston, MA. The selected candidate may only work remotely from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

• Provide one on one customer service on traditional and atypical benefit matters, including providing benefit education and understanding, and enrollment assistance. Engage the Senior Benefit Specialist and Analyst if necessary, on more complex issues.
• Perform benefits administration activities to support all transaction processing for health and welfare benefits enrollment, retirement, and educational benefits, childcare, and others as assigned.
• Be familiar with benefit plans and recognize system problems and act as first point of contact to resolve system related issues, escalating more complex issues to HRIS and the Benefits Analyst when appropriate.
• Support aspects of benefit plan audits and research audit requests as needed.
• Assist with Non-Discrimination Testing including providing data and communication to impacted staff.
• Assist with group presentations, explaining details of specified benefit programs for new hire orientation along with other educational initiatives.
• When necessary work with Payroll, Finance, HRIS, IS, and vendors to ensure accurate processing of benefit transactions within the PeopleSoft and vendor system. Research errors and escalate.
• Play key role throughout annual open enrollment process, system configuration, benefits fair, and communications.
• Support implementation of HR and benefit initiatives relating to plan redesigns, well-being, etc. Other duties as assigned.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

• BA/BS preferred with a minimum of 2 to 3 years of benefits and HR systems experience required
• Experience with PeopleSoft preferred
• Highest customer service orientation needed
• Demonstrated experience as a self-started
• Ability to recognize and research system errors is required
• High level of confidentiality;
• Competent knowledge of employee benefit programs and procedures;
• Knowledge of benefits administration, particularly in a systems context;
• Some experience with system upgrade processes, integration and user acceptance testing;
• Problem solving; needs the ability to identify when problems are not routine and senior intervention is required;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to provide a positive attitude and diffuse unpleasant situations;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word), PeopleSoft, and ability to assimilate vendor and other systems;
• Attention to detail and a thoroughness in completing the work;
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and priorities within tight timelines, and have follow through skills;
• Strong team player and ability to build working relationships within and across teams;

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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