Benefits Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Benefits Specialist jobs in Virginia are in strong and consistent demand, with hiring concentrated in federal contracting firms, defense employers, large health systems, and state government agencies serving the Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads corridors. Entry-level coordinators through senior benefits managers are actively sought, and well-established employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Inova Health System, and Northrop Grumman maintain ongoing needs for benefits professionals. The most in-demand specialties are health and welfare plan administration, leave management, and HRIS-integrated benefits operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Benefits Specialist jobs
Job Title: Benefits & Talent Development Specialist
Reports To: Human Resources Manager
Primary Function:
The Benefits & Talent Development Specialist is responsible for the administration and management of employee benefits programs and helps to drive the growth and development of the workforce. This role ensures compliance with relevant regulations, addresses employee inquiries, and provides support to the HR team to ensure smooth and efficient process.
Job Responsibilities:
- Administer health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement and other employee benefit programs and provide clear communication to employees regarding benefits options, policies, and changes.
- Coordinate open enrollment, ensuring employees have the information they need to make informed decisions.
- Ensure the processing of new hire benefit enrollments and changes for employees (status updates, qualifying events, terminations, etc.).
- Work closely with third-party vendors and insurance providers to ensure the accuracy of benefits data and review/approve vendor invoices.
- Act as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and resolve issues related to benefit plans and coverage.
- Ensure all benefits plans comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ERISA, and HIPAA.
- Prepare and file required benefits-related reports and process.
- Track and maintain benefits documentation in line with legal requirements.
- Evaluate and review benefit programs annually, recommending improvements or changes as necessary.
- Assist with other HR-related tasks and special projects as needed.
- Stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices in benefits administration.
- Provide administrative support for employee performance appraisals and feedback sessions.
- Serves as point contact and support person for LMS used by the company.
- Recommend improvements to talent development programs based on feedback, industry best practices and organizational needs.
- Any other duties as assigned by manager.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
- Experience with ADP Benefits
- Experience with LMS system
- HR Certification (e.g. SHRM-CP, PHR, etc.)
Mandatory Qualifications:
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Corporate, Self-Insured benefits administration
- 3 years in talent development
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to handle confidential information with integrity
- Demonstrate proficient in Word, Excel – Use of Pivot Tables, etc. (Excel assessment required), PowerPoint and Presentation creation, HRIS system utilization
Job Title: Benefits & Talent Development Specialist
Reports To: Human Resources Manager
Primary Function:
The Benefits & Talent Development Specialist is responsible for the administration and management of employee benefits programs and helps to drive the growth and development of the workforce. This role ensures compliance with relevant regulations, addresses employee inquiries, and provides support to the HR team to ensure smooth and efficient process.
Job Responsibilities:
- Administer health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement and other employee benefit programs and provide clear communication to employees regarding benefits options, policies, and changes.
- Coordinate open enrollment, ensuring employees have the information they need to make informed decisions.
- Ensure the processing of new hire benefit enrollments and changes for employees (status updates, qualifying events, terminations, etc.).
- Work closely with third-party vendors and insurance providers to ensure the accuracy of benefits data and review/approve vendor invoices.
- Act as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and resolve issues related to benefit plans and coverage.
- Ensure all benefits plans comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ERISA, and HIPAA.
- Prepare and file required benefits-related reports and process.
- Track and maintain benefits documentation in line with legal requirements.
- Evaluate and review benefit programs annually, recommending improvements or changes as necessary.
- Assist with other HR-related tasks and special projects as needed.
- Stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices in benefits administration.
- Provide administrative support for employee performance appraisals and feedback sessions.
- Serves as point contact and support person for LMS used by the company.
- Recommend improvements to talent development programs based on feedback, industry best practices and organizational needs.
- Any other duties as assigned by manager.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
- Experience with ADP Benefits
- Experience with LMS system
- HR Certification (e.g. SHRM-CP, PHR, etc.)
Mandatory Qualifications:
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Corporate, Self-Insured benefits administration
- 3 years in talent development
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to handle confidential information with integrity
- Demonstrate proficient in Word, Excel – Use of Pivot Tables, etc. (Excel assessment required), PowerPoint and Presentation creation, HRIS system utilization
See All 12 Benefits Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Benefits Specialist JobsBenefits Specialist Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Benefits Specialist Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Retail
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in benefits specialist jobs across Virginia.
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or CEBS certification preferred or required by most Virginia employers
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
- Three or more years administering group health, retirement, or leave benefit programs
- Hands-on experience with HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP, or UKG
- Working knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ACA compliance requirements
- Strong communication skills to counsel employees on benefits enrollment and changes
Benefits Specialist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a benefits specialist in Virginia?
Most Virginia employers expect a bachelor's degree in human resources or business administration paired with direct benefits administration experience. Virginia does not require a state-issued license to work as a benefits specialist, but earning the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation or a SHRM credential significantly strengthens your candidacy. Many candidates enter through HR coordinator or payroll roles at large employers before moving into dedicated benefits functions.
How much do benefits specialists make in Virginia?
Benefits specialists in Virginia earn a median of about $81,190 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,410 for the lowest 10% to over $136,030 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire benefits specialists in Virginia?
Employers hiring benefits specialists in Virginia right now include Eyecare Partners, Appian, and Conduent, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of federal contractors, major health systems, and large defense and technology firms makes it one of the more active markets for experienced benefits professionals on the East Coast.
Which Virginia cities have the most benefits specialist jobs?
McLean, Virginia Beach, and Suffolk account for the greatest share of benefits specialist openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia leads because of its extraordinary density of federal contractors, technology firms, and corporate headquarters, while Richmond draws hiring from state government agencies, regional health systems, and financial services employers, and Hampton Roads reflects demand from military-adjacent contractors and large hospital networks in the region.
Are there remote benefits specialist jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most HR roles, because benefits administration is largely desk-based and systems-driven work that translates well to remote environments. About 33% of benefits specialist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how normalized flexible arrangements have become in this function. Open enrollment support, plan reconciliation, and employee inquiry management are the tasks most commonly performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a benefits specialist in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an HR coordinator or HR generalist role at a large Virginia employer, where benefits administration is one of several responsibilities you gradually take on. Large Northern Virginia federal contractors and Richmond-area health systems such as VCU Health often post HR associate roles that serve as feeder positions. Earning a SHRM-CP or completing a CEBS foundational module while in an adjacent role signals commitment and distinguishes candidates who lack direct benefits titles.
Where can I find and apply to benefits specialist jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to benefits specialist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across the state's major hiring markets. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 12 Benefits Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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