How to apply for Coordinator, Total Rewards

About National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization driven by its mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Working here means contributing to impactful exploration, science, and education initiatives while being part of a passionate, mission-driven community. As a remote-friendly employer, NGS offers the flexibility to support its global workforce from anywhere.

About the role

As the Coordinator, Total Rewards, you will be the operational backbone of the HR team, ensuring the seamless administration of compensation, benefits, and recognition programs. Your work directly supports employees and retirees, helping to create a positive employee experience that aligns with NGS's mission. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a detail-oriented, collaborative environment and wants to grow in the total rewards field.

A typical day

Your day might start with checking the benefits inbox and responding to employee inquiries, then moving on to reconcile a batch of vendor invoices and follow up on a claims issue. Later, you could join a team meeting to plan open enrollment logistics and update enrollment data in the HRIS. Throughout the day, you'll collaborate with the Total Rewards Partner and other HR colleagues to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Who National Geographic Society is looking for

• 1-3 years of experience in HR operations, benefits administration, or a related field, with a strong understanding of benefits processes such as invoice reconciliation, claims processing, and open enrollment support.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, demonstrated by experience resolving vendor discrepancies and maintaining accurate enrollment data.
• Strong customer service orientation, with the ability to empathetically and clearly communicate with employees and retirees about sensitive benefits inquiries via phone, email, and Slack.
• Proficiency with HRIS and benefits platforms, and a proactive approach to collaborating with team members and vendors to ensure operational excellence.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience you have with benefits administration, particularly invoice processing, claims resolution, or supporting annual open enrollment. Use specific examples to show your impact.
• Emphasize your ability to handle confidential information with discretion and your experience assisting retirees or former employees with benefits questions.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the National Geographic Society's mission and values. Explain why working for a mission-driven nonprofit excites you and how you align with its culture.
• Show your tech-savviness by mentioning specific HRIS or benefits systems you've used (e.g., Workday, SAP, ADP) and your comfort with managing shared inboxes and Slack for employee support.
• Since the role is remote, provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with a distributed team and managed your time effectively in a remote environment.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your hands-on experience with benefits administration tasks like invoice reconciliation and claims processing; (2) your customer-service mindset and ability to communicate complex benefits information clearly to employees and retirees; (3) your alignment with NGS's mission and your motivation to support its employees; and (4) your proficiency with HR technology and remote collaboration tools.

Research before applying

• Explore the National Geographic Society's website, especially the 'Our Mission' and 'Impact' sections, to understand its current initiatives and how HR supports its global workforce.
• Research common benefits programs offered by nonprofits, such as retirement plans, medical/dental/vision, and wellness initiatives, to speak knowledgeably about the total rewards landscape.
• Familiarize yourself with the types of benefits inquiries retirees might have (e.g., pension, 401(k), life insurance) and how they differ from active employee benefits.
• Look up recent news about NGS to see if there are any new strategic priorities or changes that could impact the HR team.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you handle a discrepancy between a vendor invoice and our records? Walk us through your process.
• Describe a time you helped an employee or retiree understand a complex benefits issue. How did you ensure they felt supported?
• What experience do you have with benefits audits? How do you ensure accuracy in premium and enrollment data?
• How would you prioritize your tasks during the annual open enrollment period, given multiple deadlines and inquiries?
• Why are you interested in working in Total Rewards at a mission-driven organization like the National Geographic Society?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid being vague about your benefits experience. Instead of saying 'I've worked with benefits,' specify the tasks you've performed, such as 'processed 50+ invoices monthly' or 'assisted with open enrollment for 500+ employees.'
• Don't neglect to mention your ability to handle sensitive information. This role involves retiree and former staff data, so emphasizing confidentiality is crucial.
• Avoid focusing solely on compensation and ignoring benefits. This role is heavily benefits-focused, so highlight your benefits administration skills and interest in that area.