Compensation and Benefits Project Manager Specialist (Contract)

Job Title: Compensation and Benefits Project Manager Specialist

Location: Near Green Oaks, IL (Hybrid: 3 Days in the office)

Rate: $49 - $55/hr

Contract Duration: 1 Year (with possible extensions, up to 2 years without transition to FTE)

Contract Type: W-2 (Must be authorized to work in the U.S.; No Sponsorships or C2C)

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Compensation and Benefits Specialist for our client to lead a critical benefits project within their Benefits Practice Center. This role focuses on retirement plans, including 401K and pension administration, and is instrumental in managing the transition of our benefits administration from the current vendor (Alight) to Fidelity. The Specialist will work closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure a seamless vendor transition, effective project planning, and timely delivery of project milestones.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Coordination:
  • Lead the planning and execution of the benefits project, managing project plans, timelines, and budgets.
  • Utilize a tracking system provided by the Hiring Manager to monitor progress against deliverables.
• Vendor Transition:
  • Coordinate meetings with Fidelity to facilitate the vendor transition from Alight to Fidelity.
  • Oversee the development and execution of testing plans with Fidelity to ensure smooth implementation.
• Stakeholder Management:
  • Interface with internal teams, including HR, Benefits, and the PMO, to ensure clear communication and alignment on project objectives.
  • Facilitate stakeholder meetings and manage expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Risk & Issue Management:
  • Identify and mitigate project risks and issues, providing timely updates to senior leadership.
• Process Improvement:
  • Recommend and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and improve benefits administration processes.
• Documentation & Reporting:
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, timelines, and status reports.
  • Utilize advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in benefits management, with a strong focus on retirement plans (401K and pension).
  • Proven experience managing large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders.
  • A background in benefits project management is preferred; candidates with a project management background in HR will also be considered.
• Skills:
  • Strong project management skills and analytical abilities.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Advanced proficiency in Excel.
  • Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Certifications:
  • PMP or similar project management certification is a plus.
• Additional:
  • Experience with Fidelity is a plus.
  • Industry experience is flexible; candidates from any industry with relevant benefits experience are encouraged to apply.