Benefits Analyst / Benefits Specialist (Excel Spreadsheet Guru)

Job Description

Job Description

About the Role

We are partnering with a growing company in Hoffman Estates, IL. They are looking to add a team member to their Benefits department. This role is on a temp-to-hire basis.

This individual should ideally have a benefits background with strong Excel skills. This is a highly analytical and detail-oriented HR Benefits Analyst / Benefits Specialist that will support the administration, analysis, and optimization of employee benefits programs. This role require someone with strong data manipulation capabilities, and the ability to translate complex benefits data into actionable insights for HR leadership and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Analyze employee benefits data to identify trends, anomalies, risks, and cost drivers across a multi-state workforce.

Develop and maintain advanced Excel models, reports, dashboards, and pivot tables to support benefits decision-making.

Perform cost-benefit analyses on benefit plans, vendor pricing, renewals, and utilization patterns.

Gather, manipulate, and validate large datasets from HRIS, payroll, and benefits vendors.

Prepare executive-ready summaries and recommendations based on data findings.

Support annual open enrollment through data analysis, forecasting, and reporting.

Partner with HR, payroll, finance, and benefits vendors to ensure data accuracy and alignment.

Assist with compliance reporting, audits, and reconciliation activities.

Identify process improvement opportunities related to benefits administration and data integrity.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Analytics, or a related field preferred.

3+ years of experience in benefits administration, HR analytics, or a data-driven HR role.

Advanced Excel skills required (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, data validation, conditional formatting).

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret trends, challenges, anomalies, and cost drivers.

Demonstrated ability to gather, manipulate, analyze, and summarize complex data sets.

High attention to detail and strong technical aptitude.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present data clearly to non-technical audiences.

Experience with HRIS and benefits administration platforms preferred.