Benefits Specialist

We are looking for the visionaries, the change-makers, the self-starters who are seeking more from their career. Change begins with the small decisions we make, each day, to support each other and strive to create inspiring incredible educational experiences for all students, no matter where they are or how they learn. This concept connects deeply to the idea that, in choosing a career with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, you will have the opportunity to push boundaries, flex your creativity and inspire positive change for so many people. It’s also a call-back to the transformative power of education itself.

Our core values put the student experience at the center of what we do, reflecting who we are and aspire to be. If you want to shine a light on academic excellence, be empowered to make an impact on the transformation of the Canadian post-secondary education landscape, and work collaboratively beyond levels, join us.

Who we need

Reporting to the Director, Payroll and Benefits, we are looking for a Benefits Specialist to join our People team, collaborating across departments to promote clarity, accessibility, and engagement in benefits programs. You will play a highly valued role, connecting faculty and employees, providing seamless support and guidance on their benefits enrollment, changes, and offboarding. You will ensure compliance and accuracy in benefits administration, employee education, and process optimization, while enhancing the overall benefits experience.

This is a full-time hybrid role, working 2 days per week in our downtown Toronto office.

What’s in it for you

Impact. You will have a direct influence on the experience of over 1,000 faculty and staff across three provinces by improving and streamlining benefits processes. As part of a collaborative, supportive team, you will have the opportunity to create clarity, reduce complexity, and make a meaningful difference in how things get done.

Exposure. You will gain hands-on experience with benefits administration, HR processes, and HRIS systems like Dayforce. Whether refining your technical and analytical skills or identifying better ways to work, you will develop a deep understanding of how a national HR team operates.

Career development. Yorkville University is a progressive, forward-thinking, innovative education centre. You will join an organization that inspires change, nurtures collaboration, supports faculty and students in their journey, and continuously innovates. You will work alongside a team that embraces every opportunity to learn, to engage in professional development, and to motivate each other.

As our new Benefits Specialist, you will:

1. Administer Benefits processes. You will manage the entire benefits lifecycle, including new hire enrollment, benefit changes, and offboarding. You will ensure accuracy and compliance in all transactions.
2. Maintain data integrity. You will process benefits changes in Dayforce, ensuring timeliness and accuracy while maintaining high data integrity and confidentiality standards.
3. Educate employees and Faculty. You will conduct benefit training sessions and provide updates on plan changes, policies, and available resources, ensuring employees are informed and engaged.
4. Develop and maintain benefits resources. You will create and update benefits communication materials, including managing the Benefits SharePoint site, to ensure faculty and employees can access accurate information easily.
5. Provide employee support. You will respond to benefit-related inquiries through the central Benefits team inbox, identifying common themes and contributing to process improvements and employee experience enhancements.
6. Manage reporting. You will maintain benefits team trackers, coordinate with stakeholders, and ensure timely payments and benefits lifecycle milestones are met.
7. Support processes. You will provide guidance on benefits implications for leaves of absence, working closely with employees and the People Business Partnering team to ensure smooth transitions.
8. Champion our culture. You will work with the People team to enhance practices that support diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement.
9. Contribute to People team initiatives. You will participate in HR programs and projects, helping to drive continuous improvement and innovation in employee benefits and experience.

You have:

1. The experience. You have experience in a benefits-related client services role or an employee-facing human resources position. You thrive in a collaborative environment where you can offer guidance, answer questions, and streamline access to benefits. You have a general understanding of employment laws related to benefits administration.
2. The interpersonal skills. You are calm, empathetic, and customer/employee focused. You have professional written and verbal communication skills. You work effectively as part of a team and have an appreciation for diverse backgrounds and experiences.
3. The ownership. You can prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain structure and processes to manage benefits administration. You are proactive and continuously seek new opportunities and information.
4. The technical skills. You have strong attention to detail, the ability to analyze challenges and research solutions, and experience managing HRIS systems. Knowledge of Dayforce is an asset.

Why work at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School?

1. An atmosphere that successfully blends an entrepreneurial culture with education. We value innovation and continuously look towards expanding our programming, working with the latest research, tools and solutions.
2. The chance to accelerate your career and disrupt education by responding to the needs you see and purposefully challenging the status quo.
3. A place where all individuals feel welcomed in the academic and workplace environments and can bring their authentic selves to the educational and work spheres.
4. The opportunity to grow with access to free courses, certifications and programs - right up to our Masters' offerings.

Join us

We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for, express your interest.

What you can expect from our hiring process:

1. A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role.
2. A virtual interview with members of the People team to learn more about the day-to-day accountabilities of the role.
3. A final interview with the Director, Payroll and Benefits to discuss how your experience and approach align with the needs of the team and the organization.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the LGBTQ2SIA+ community and other equity-seeking groups.

Yorkville University is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ('AODA'). If you require accommodation for disability, please notify Human Resources at 1-877-429-4029.