Benefits Manager

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation•, OH

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits Manager leads the design, administration, and continuous improvement of employee benefits and multi-state leave programs in support of the Total Rewards strategy. This role oversees health and welfare, retirement, and leave programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, vendor performance, and financial stewardship. With enterprise-wide impact, the position drives a positive employee experience through effective program delivery, employee communications, analytics, and process improvements. The Benefits Manager partners cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, Risk Management, and external vendors to address complex benefit and leave matters, optimize program effectiveness, and align offerings with organizational goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required
Valid driver’s license required
5–8+ years of progressive experience in benefits and/or leave administration
Prior experience managing benefit programs and vendor relationships
Experience with multi-state leave management (FMLA, ADA, disability) required
Advanced knowledge of employee benefits programs, including health and welfare, retirement, wellness, and ancillary plans
Strong understanding of multi-state leave laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, disability, and state-mandated paid leave programs
Knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable federal and state compliance requirements
Knowledge of HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems, including integrations and data workflows
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop actionable recommendations
Effective vendor management and negotiation skills, with the ability to drive performance and manage service delivery
Strong financial acumen, including the ability to oversee billing processes, validate costs, and ensure accuracy of benefit-related financials
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex benefits and leave information into clear, employee-friendly messaging
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and initiatives simultaneously
Ability to manage and resolve complex or sensitive employee situations with professionalism and discretion
Ability to exercise independent judgment in interpreting regulations, resolving complex benefits and leave cases, and making decisions within established frameworks
Ability to manage complexity across multi-state leave programs and evolving regulatory environments
Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, including HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, and Risk Management
Ability to lead process improvements and drive operational efficiency across benefits and leave administration
Ability to oversee vendor relationships and hold external partners accountable for performance and service quality
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with a high level of professionalism
Ability to adapt to changing business needs and regulatory requirements while maintaining operational continuity

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA or HR-related) preferred
Preferred Certifications: CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist), SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP or PHR / SPHR, CLMS (Certified Leave Management Specialist)
Experience with billing reconciliation and financial oversight of benefit plans preferred
Experience in regulated industries (utilities, healthcare, manufacturing) preferred
Experience with SAP and Benefit Focus preferred

Responsibilities

Design, administer, and continuously enhance employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, wellness, HSA/FSA, COBRA, retiree, tuition reimbursement, and ancillary plans.
Lead annual open enrollment, employee education, vendor coordination, and benefits communications while serving as the escalation point for complex benefits inquiries.
Evaluate plan performance, market competitiveness, utilization, and cost trends; recommend and implement improvements aligned with Total Rewards strategy.
Manage relationships, contracts, and performance of brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and benefits vendors to ensure quality service, compliance, and cost efficiency.
Oversee self-funded plans, including claims funding, stop-loss coverage, reimbursements, and overall cost management.
Oversee administration of all leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, parental leave, paid state leave programs, and short- and long-term disability, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Serve as the subject matter expert for complex leave cases, managing vendor partnerships, state filings, reporting requirements, benefits continuation, employee billing, and premium collections.
Partner with HR, Payroll, Risk Management, Safety, and business leaders to coordinate leave, disability, workers’ compensation, pay administration, return-to-work processes, and employee communications.
Oversee benefits financial operations, including billing, invoice audits, reconciliations, employee deductions, vendor payments, stop-loss reimbursements, accruals, and reporting controls.
Partner with Finance to monitor plan performance, validate costs, identify discrepancies, and implement process improvements that strengthen financial accuracy and internal controls.
Analyze benefits and leave utilization, cost trends, and employee engagement data; develop reports, dashboards, and recommendations for leadership to drive cost containment and program optimization.
Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, state leave regulations, and other applicable laws through ongoing policy administration, regulatory monitoring, and process updates.
Maintain plan documents, SPDs, required notices, Form 5500s, 1095 reporting, employment and income verification programs, unemployment claims administration, and audit support.
Develop and maintain procedures, service standards, documentation, and internal controls to ensure compliance, operational consistency, and data privacy.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives across benefits, leave, and employee administration processes by optimizing workflows, controls, and operating procedures.
Partner with HRIS, Payroll, and vendors to manage system configurations, data integrity, interfaces, implementations, enhancements, testing, and vendor transitions.
Support mergers and acquisitions activities, including benefits due diligence and the successful integration of acquired employees into company programs.