Benefits Assistant – HR Administration

About the role

The Benefits Assistant will support the day‑to‑day administration of health, welfare and retirement programs for attorneys and professional staff at Arnold & Porter’s Washington, DC office. The role involves processing enrollments, handling employee inquiries, and maintaining accurate benefits records while ensuring confidentiality and accuracy.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with benefits enrollment and orientation for new attorneys and staff, including life‑event changes and beneficiary updates.
• Prepare COBRA materials and departure summaries for departing attorneys and staff.
• Prepare and submit retirement plan invoices and review plan reports for 401(k) elections and payroll withholdings.
• Support annual open enrollment through communications, educational programs, and enrollment materials.
• Respond to routine benefits inquiries by phone and email, providing timely service.
• Maintain accurate employee and partner benefits files, both electronic and paper.
• Perform data entry and updates in the firm’s HRIS.
• Organize benefits‑related documents and post retirement plan materials on the intranet.
• Draft and distribute quarterly 401(k) webcast announcements and other participant education communications.
• Assist with benefits surveys, compliance notices, and wellness initiatives such as the annual Benefits Health Fair.
• Help plan and attend in‑person and virtual benefits meetings and events.
• Provide general administrative and clerical support to the Health & Welfare and Retirement Benefits teams as needed.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s or associate degree preferred; relevant experience considered.
• Prior benefits, law‑firm, or professional‑services experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Windows‑based applications required; SharePoint experience a plus.
• Experience working with an HRIS is preferred.
• Typing speed of at least 45 words per minute.
• Strong administrative, organizational, and time‑management abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Required skills

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Windows‑based applications
• SharePoint
• HRIS