Senior Manager of Benefits

Senior Manager of Benefits and Claims

Ocean State Job Lot ("OSJL" or the "Company") is a dynamic $850+ million general merchandise retailer with a strong foothold across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. With over 170 stores currently and ambitious plans to reach 180 locations, OSJL offers exciting opportunities for growth and contribution. We are an opportunity-driven retailer owning over 50% of our operating locations, totaling 8 million square feet, demonstrating our stability and long-term vision. At OSJL, you will be part of a team committed to delivering exceptional value to our customers while driving positive change and a more responsible future for retail within our communities.

The Senior Manager of Benefits and Claims role at Ocean State Job Lot ("OSJL" or "Company") is a crucial leadership position responsible for leading two teams: the Company's Benefits team, which ensures that benefits offerings are implemented and serviced effectively and efficiently as part of the Company's total compensation program; and the Claims team, which oversees all aspects of the Company's claims programs-primarily workers' compensation and general liability-to mitigate risk and control costs. This role focuses on operational excellence, providing technical expertise, and management oversight while working closely with Company leadership to execute strategies and resolve issues that impact OSJL benefits and claims program offerings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and optimize a competitive, cost-effective, and compliant benefits program package (e.g., medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), and wellness programs) tailored to our retail associate, supply chain, and corporate populations.
• Oversee the administration of all leave-of-absence programs to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws (i.e., FMLA, ADA) and Company policies, resulting in a clear, supportive process for associates.
• Manage day-to-day vendor performance and serve as the primary point of contact for brokers and carriers. Monitor contract compliance and prepare reports for executive review.
• Track and analyze benefits metrics and claims trends to recommend data-driven improvements to leadership. Implement process enhancements based on identified gaps.
• Collaborate with insurance carriers and brokers in the research and development of potential new benefit offerings that reflect the needs of the associate population, and present the same to Company leadership.
• Promote benefits program offerings to associates and communicate changes in order to continuously improve the program utilization.
• Advise and counsel all OSJL leaders and associates on existing benefits program offerings.
• Develop a network to resolve associate benefits questions and issues, including focused response protocols for certain issues.
• Maintain and audit department workflows to ensure compliance with COBRA, ACA, ADA, and ERISA. Serve as the internal subject matter expert for complex leave and workers' compensation cases.
• Lead and perform all duties of 401(k) plan sponsor and comply with all requirements for plan design, loan administration, reporting and auditing activities.
• Manage associate performance, write performance reviews as well as provide coaching and feedback for Benefits and Claims team members. As needed, delegate work and follow up with team members to confirm timely completion of tasks.
• Assist with hiring new team members, training new team members and acting as a mentor to coach and develop new teammates.
• Supervise the end-to-end processing of all workers' compensation and general liability claims. Collaborate with legal counsel and TPAs (Third-Party Administrators), to facilitate the resolution of litigated claims and represent the Company's operational interests.
• Analyze claims data to identify trends (e.g., specific stores with high incidents, common injury types) and partner with the Safety and Loss Prevention teams to implement corrective actions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, business administration, or a related field is required.
• 8 or more years of professional experience in benefits administration and Human Resources operations is required; retail industry experience is preferred.
• 5 or more years of supervisory experience is required.
• Demonstrated experience with project management, vendor management, and strategic process improvement is required.
• Subject matter expertise regarding federal and state laws and related compliance for leave of absence, worker's compensations programs, and employee benefits is required.
• Experience with self-insured benefit plans is required.
• CBP (certified benefits professional) certification in employee benefits is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and the Google platform (i.e., Sites, Slides, Drive, Docs, Sheets).

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in a climate controlled environment with minimal safety and health hazard potential.
• Works in an office environment remaining stationary at a desk, table, or computer workstation for extended periods of time. Frequently uses near vision for reading and computer tasks.
• Hybrid work option: Some work may be completed outside of the Company locations, with at least three (3) days a week in the Corporate Office. The role is responsible for setting up a professional and ergonomically safe work environment and to be available during working hours. Hybrid work options are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time based upon Company policy, associate performance and business needs.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

OSJL Featured Total Rewards & Perks:

• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including but not limited to Medical, Dental, Vision, and much more.
• 401K Program
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Associate Store 30% Discounts
• Enjoy complimentary access to OSJL-owned vacation properties, along with discounted gym memberships and 20% off at OSJL affiliated restaurants.
• Free lunch Fridays

The annual salary range for this position is between $115,000.00 - $125,000.00. Salary commensurates with certifications, affiliations and years of experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.