Benefits Administrator
Complete with job descriptions, skill profiles, and interview templates. Use this Benefits Administrator hiring guide to help you make the right decisions, fast.
HOW TO HIRE A Benefits Administrator
What does a Benefits Administrator do?
Benefits Administrators work within an human resources department and are responsible for planning and administering employee benefit programs. They communicate with employees, resolve benefit-related issues and collaborate with other departments and external vendors. A Benefits Coordinator should have strong organizational skills and stay up-to-date with relevant laws, regulations and market trends. They should also have strong interpersonal skills, be able to maintain meticulous records and collaborate with other departments and external service providers.
Day to day tasks of a Benefits Administrator
- Collaborate with payroll and ensure that employer contributions and payroll deductions are processed accurately
- Maintain and update employee records and benefits files
- Coordinate daily benefits processing, including enrollments, terminations and claims
- Advise and inform employees of the details of the company's benefit programs
- Resolve benefit-related issues and respond to queries and requests in a timely manner
- Research new employee benefit plans and vendors
- Evaluate the efficiency and value of current benefit programs and make recommendations for improvement
- Liaise with vendors and negotiate and coordinate contracts for new and existing plans
Benefits Administrator definition
Benefits Administrators manage all employee benefit programs within an organization from personal leave to retirement plans. Benefits Administrators are extremely important to an organization as the correct processing and distribution of benefits is vital for employee retention and satisfaction. Confidentiality and efficiency are very important qualities for a Benefits Administrator. Communication skills and deep knowledge of regulations and benefit options are also vital for a Benefits Administrator.
HIRING PROCESS
Benefits Administrator Hiring Process
Build the ideal candidate profile
Skills needed for a Benefits Administrator
A Benefits Administrator must have the ability to mediate a situation and find a solution where all parties are satisfied. They must also have the ability to think critically and have an attention to detail, particularly when it comes to reviewing employee benefit claims.
- Critical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Conflict Resolution
Pro Tip
As this role is heavily people-focussed, a successful candidate must have very well developed written and verbal communication skills. Keep an eye out for these skills during the entire recruitment process, from assessing resumes to formal interviews.
WRITE A JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS
How to write a Benefits Administrator job description
Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your Benefits Administrator job description:
Job Title: What position are you hiring for?
Summary: What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities: An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organization
Requirements: Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully
Benefits: Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer
Pro Tip
In building your candidate profile, remember you’ve already identified what skills are needed to succeed in the role. Here’s where to list your “must-have” skills and maybe a couple of “nice-to-have” skills. For example, a Benefits Administrator must have an eye for detail. They must have the ability to diligently and thoroughly check over any work to make sure it is accurate and free of mistakes and errors. They should also have the ability to self-educate, particular when it comes to researching potential new benefits plans and vendors.
SELECTING THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Sample skill tests for a Benefits Administrator
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Question 1
Attention to Detail
Question Type: Multiple Choice
Using the document in the previous question, how many days of vacation leave is this employee entitled to?
Question 2
Conflict Resolution
Question Type: Text
As a benefits administrator, you will be required to have conversations and discussions with colleagues that may be of a sensitive nature for example: rising healthcare costs, healthcare needs, mental health issues.
How will you create a safe place for your colleagues, to feel open and safe when engaging in such conversations?
Question 3
Critical Thinking
Question Type: Text
You do an employee survey to understand what employees want in their benefits plan. There are a number of suggestions from insurance to wellness accessibility to discounts and more.
How do you decide which is the most important if you can only implement a few?
INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS
How to interview a Benefits Administrator
Once your Vervoe skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted from the skills assessment.
Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.
Making An Offer
How much does it cost to hire a Benefits Administrator?
The US average for a Benefits Administrator is $55,400 according to Salary.com, while the reported average salary on Payscale.com amounts to $55,000. Ninety percent of talent acquisition managers earn up to $76,000 with 75 percent receiving less than $66,000. The lowest paid ten percent is paid up to $42,300.
Benefits Administrator Salary United States
Benefits Administrator salaries in the United States range from $42,000 – $56,000 (USD). Benefits Administrator salaries in the U.S vary depending on the industry and the location.
Benefits Administrator Salary United Kingdom
Benefits Administrator salaries in the United Kingdom range from £17,000 – £28,000 (GBP). Benefits Administrator salaries in the UK vary based on location and the amount of career experience.
Source: Glassdoor
Benefits Administrator Salary Australia
Benefits Administrator salaries in Australia range from $46,000 – $75,000 (AUD). Benefits Administrator salaries usually depend on the industry and the amount of career experience.
Source: Salary Expert
