Job ID: 12644
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Category: HR
Employment Type: Contract
Date Added: 10/29/2026
Job Description
Location: Chicago, IL
Description
We are seeking an experienced HR Business Partner with a strong focus on US benefits administration and hands-on Workday experience. This role is ideal for a self-starter who thrives in ambiguity, drives initiatives independently, and partners effectively with senior leaders and the C-suite.The position emphasizes functional leadership and strategic execution over people management. You will provide input, support strategic communications and initiatives, and own benefits-related problem-solving with minimal oversight.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary HR Business Partner for US benefits administration, ensuring accurate, compliant, and employee-friendly benefits programs within Workday.
- Administer and maintain benefits processes, enrollments, life events, and related transactions in Workday; troubleshoot issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Partner directly with C-suite and senior leaders on strategic HR initiatives, communications, and benefits-related decisions.
- Execute independently on benefits projects and ad-hoc requests; research issues thoroughly and deliver clear recommendations or solutions with limited guidance.
- Support broader strategic communications and HR initiatives by contributing functional expertise, drafting materials, and ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Collaborate cross-functionally (Payroll, Finance, Legal, external vendors/carriers) to resolve complex benefits questions and improve processes.
- Monitor regulatory changes impacting US benefits and proactively recommend updates to policies, communications, or Workday configurations.
- Act as a trusted advisor who can “run a problem into the ground,” identify root causes, and implement practical solutions.
Qualifications Required
- Proven experience as an HR Business Partner (or similar role) with significant responsibility for US benefits administration.
- Hands-on Workday experience, preferably in Benefits Administration / Benefits module.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with C-suite and senior leadership; strong functional leadership presence.
- Self-starter who is highly comfortable with ambiguity and can independently drive work from problem identification through resolution.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills (written and verbal).
- Solid understanding of US benefits programs, compliance considerations, and employee experience best practices.
Preferred
- Experience supporting strategic HR communications or organizational initiatives.
- Prior experience in a lean or high-autonomy HR team environment.
- Familiarity with benefits vendors, carriers, and related systems.
- PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar certification.
- What Success Looks LikeYou will be the go-to person who keeps US benefits running smoothly in Workday, proactively solves issues, and provides reliable functional support to senior leaders—without requiring extensive day-to-day management or direction.
