Benefits Specialist

About Ayr Wellness

Ayr Wellness is a prominent multi-state cannabis operator in the U.S., operating over 90 licensed retail stores across Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Nevada, Virginia, and Delaware. The company cultivates, manufactures, and retails a diverse range of premium cannabis products, serving both medical patients and adult-use customers across its markets. Ayr focuses on its people to drive innovation and growth in the evolving cannabis industry, offering employees the chance to influence the company's future and develop their careers in a dynamic environment.

Role Summary and Assignment Details

• This temporary Benefits Specialist role lasts around 4 months, including 2 to 4 weeks dedicated to training and transitioning knowledge.
• Ideal commencement is mid-July.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the main internal liaison for leave administration, working closely with external leave administrators to ensure smooth communication, document audits, and timely handling of leave processes.
• Oversee the ADA interactive process by managing accommodation requests, collaborating with employees and managers, securing medical documentation, facilitating discussions, and tracking cases while coordinating with HR partners.
• Handle daily administration of employee benefits, covering medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, and 401(k) plans.
• Manage new hire enrollments, life event changes, qualifying event adjustments, terminations, and updates on benefit eligibility.
• Validate employee benefit elections, verify payroll deductions, and confirm carrier eligibility data for accuracy.
• Respond to employee inquiries concerning coverage, eligibility, claims, enrollment, and general benefit processes.
• Collaborate with benefit vendors to address enrollment issues, billing disputes, and employee escalations.
• Collect, audit, and analyze benefits information, prepare relevant reports, and reconcile enrollment with payroll data.
• Support benefits communications, employee education initiatives, and open enrollment activities.
• Maintain precise benefit records and assist in ensuring compliance with plan regulations and rules.
• Provide administrative support for ongoing benefits-related projects and continuous process improvement efforts.

Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum 3 to 5 years direct experience in employee benefits administration.
• Proven expertise in managing benefits for a multi-state workforce with diverse eligibility standards and benefit programs.
• Familiarity administering both union and non-union employee benefits, applying collective bargaining agreement rules to ensure correct enrollment.
• Sound knowledge of health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, COBRA requirements, and leave-related benefit considerations.
• Experience using HRIS/payroll and benefits systems; familiarity with Wurk UKG Ready and Employee Navigator is advantageous.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, including capabilities in data retrieval, auditing, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Detail-focused with excellent customer service, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, and maintain confidentiality in a fast-changing environment.

Additional Information

Management retains the discretion to assign or reassign duties as needed.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Ayr Wellness is committed to diversity and inclusion and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy or related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by law.