What a benefits administrator does
A benefits administrator manages the day-to-day operation of an employer's group benefits and, in many organizations, its pension or retirement savings plan. Duties include enrolling new employees, processing changes and terminations, reconciling monthly carrier invoices, answering employee questions, coordinating with insurers and advisors, supporting disability and leave claims and helping with annual renewals. The administrator often acts as the link between employees, HR, payroll and the benefits carrier.
Benefits errors tend to surface at the worst time, such as when an employee submits a claim and learns their dependant was never enrolled. Billing mistakes can also mean paying premiums for people who have left. Finch screens for accuracy, carrier experience, discretion with personal health information and the ability to explain benefits clearly to employees. We also look for familiarity with your type of plan, whether fully insured or administrative services only (ASO).
Typical responsibilities
- Enrol new employees and process benefit changes and terminations
- Reconcile monthly invoices from benefits carriers
- Answer employee questions about coverage, claims and eligibility
- Coordinate short- and long-term disability and leave claims with carriers and payroll
- Support annual renewals and plan changes with the benefits advisor
- Administer pension or group RRSP enrolments and contributions where applicable
Qualifications and credentials
- Post-secondary education in human resources, business or insurance
- Previous group benefits administration experience with Canadian carriers
- Understanding of how benefits connect with payroll deductions and taxable benefits
- Experience with HRIS or carrier administration portals
- An HRPA designation can be an asset for roles that sit within HR
- Clear, patient communication with employees
Who hires a benefits administrator
- Mid-sized and large private employers
- Hospitals, school boards and public sector organizations
- Unionized employers with negotiated benefit plans
- Benefits consulting firms and third-party administrators
Where we recruit benefits administrator candidates
We fill benefits administrator roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Hands-on experience with group benefits carriers and portals
- Accuracy on invoice reconciliation and enrolment records
- Understanding of disability and leave claim coordination
- Discretion with personal health information
- Ability to explain coverage clearly, assessed in conversation
Interview questions to ask
- How do you reconcile a carrier invoice, and what discrepancies do you look for?
- An employee says a claim was denied because their spouse was never added. How would you handle it?
- How do you coordinate a disability claim between the employee, the carrier and payroll?