Principal Benefits Specialist

About the role

KBR is hiring a Principal Benefits Specialist in Houston, Texas, reporting to the US Benefits Manager. The role plays a key part in designing, implementing and administering benefits programs across a complex, multi-national environment, supporting health, welfare, retirement and well-being programs. It works closely with HR, payroll, finance, vendors and regional stakeholders, and the position sits within the People Team.

Key responsibilities

• Support the design, implementation and ongoing enhancement of benefits programs, including health and welfare, retirement, leave and well-being initiatives across multiple regions.
• Administer day-to-day benefits operations such as enrollments, renewals and lifecycle activities.
• Manage and coordinate with benefits vendors, and support end-to-end implementation of new vendors and programs, including RFPs, project management, change management and post-implementation audits.
• Partner with HR, payroll, HRIS, finance, legal and regional stakeholders to resolve issues and ensure alignment.
• Resolve escalated employee issues on eligibility, claims and vendor administration.
• Support annual enrollment, including planning, system testing, audits and communications.
• Analyze benefits data, trends and costs with consultants to find savings and improvements, and prepare reports and recommendations for leadership.
• Ensure compliance with regulations such as ERISA, including filings, documentation and audits.
• Assist with billing, financial tracking, reporting and reconciliation, and support HRIS and benefits system updates and integrations.
• Drive process improvements and communicate benefits clearly to a diverse workforce.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in benefits, Total Rewards or a related function.
• Multinational or complex benefits environment experience preferred.
• Knowledge of health and welfare and/or retirement programs, and of benefits laws such as ERISA, ACA, COBRA and HIPAA.
• Experience with third-party vendors and vendor implementations, including RFPs and system configuration.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration platforms (e.g. Workday, SAP).

Required skills

• Advanced Excel (pivot tables, formulas, data analysis) and report and presentation preparation.
• Data analysis, project management and stakeholder management.

What we offer

• Possible bonuses, commissions, sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, short- and long-term incentives.
• Benefits that could include a 401K with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending account, paid time off and flexible work schedule.
• Professional training and development.