HR Operations & Benefits Specialist

HR Operations & Benefits Specialist

Location: 1111 Leffingwell Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Hours: Full-Time (40 Hours/Week), M-F 8AM-5PM

Work Environment: Onsite

About Us

Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan (OAM) is proud to be West Michigan's most established orthopaedic practice. Our physicians and team members provide exceptional, individualized care for patients of all ages. As the most comprehensive independent provider of musculoskeletal care in the region, we provide total care from diagnosis, to treatment, and all the way through rehabilitation.

Patients at OAM will have access to our Specialized Surgeons, Physical and Occupational Therapists, MRI and X-ray services, and orthopaedic bracing. Patients are also able to receive care from our Bone Health Clinic, OAM Now Urgent Orthopaedic Care Clinic, and Surgery Center at MidTowne all of which are committed to optimizing their treatment outcomes.

Our teams work together to maximize and adjust treatment quickly and easily, resulting in a smoother, faster recovery for patients. From neck to toe, and from traumatic injuries to chronic conditions, patients will receive compassionate care that will allow them to embrace their full potential. Patient goals are our goals we will restore their health so they are functioning as fully as possible in the activities they love at home, work, and in everyday life.

Position Summary

As the HR Operations & Benefits Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in supporting functional areas of HR including benefits administration, payroll, HRIS maintenance, retirement plans, and HR processes.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support for all employee benefit programsincluding medical, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, and related offeringsby managing eligibility, enrollments, life events, terminations, and employee inquiries.
• Serve as a supporting point of contact, in partnership with the Payroll & Benefits Lead and HR Director, for benefits vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Assist with planning and executing open enrollment, year-round benefits communication, and wellness initiatives, ensuring employees receive timely and accurate information.
• Support administration of the 401(k)/retirement plan, including enrollments, contribution changes, compliance tasks, and coordination with plan vendors under the guidance of the HR Director.
• Provide operational support to payroll processes, including verifying time and attendance data, reviewing deductions, resolving discrepancies, and assisting with payroll preparation as directed by the Payroll Lead.
• Maintain awareness of federal and state regulations related to payroll, benefits, and retirement plans, escalating updates or required changes to the Payroll & Benefits Lead.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing and quarterly/year-end filings.
• Provide exceptional customer service to team members and managers and respond to HR inquiries and issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Support the maintenance and reconciliation of payroll-related general ledger accounts, preparing documentation and reports as directed by the Payroll Lead.
• Prepare payroll and HR reportingincluding PTO schedules, benefits summaries, and ad-hoc analysesusing Excel functions such as pivot tables and v-lookups.
• Assist with preparing schedules and documentation required for 401(k) audits and compliance reviews.
• Provide back up support for the HR team in administering leave of absence programs, including FMLA, personal leaves, and other time-off policies. Responsibilities include tracking, managing documentation, communicating benefits impacts, and assisting employees through the process when needed.
• Maintain and assist in updating accurate and complete employee records by auditing data, updating HRIS information, and ensuring proper configuration of payroll and benefits fields, and keeping online filing system clean.
• Partner with HRIS support to troubleshoot system issues, implement updates, and help design or refine workflows that improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Contribute to HR generalist activities such as performance review coordination, offboarding processes, employee communications, and participation in HR initiatives and projects.
• Assist in developing, documenting, and improving HR processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and internal workflows to support consistency and compliance across the HR function.
• Perform additional duties and provide cross-functional HR support as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business or related field.
• Experience configuring HRIS platforms.
• ADP Workforce Now experience preferred.
• 4+ years of benefits administration experience.
• 3+ years of payroll processing experience in a mid-size company (100+).
• Experience managing leave of absences and FMLA.

*An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Specific Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Strong analytical and attention to detail required.
• Experience with accounting general ledger.
• Highly organized and self-motivated.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to perform multiple and diverse tasks simultaneously.
• Experience in Microsoft Office and Windows based computer applications.

Motor, Sensory, and Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Occasional bending, stooping, and reaching required.
• Employee may be required to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
• Manual dexterity required to operate modern office equipment.
• Employee must have normal or correctable range of hearing and eyesight.
• Working conditions include fast-paced, demanding environment, constant communication with other managers and travel to practice sites on occasion.