Benefits Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY

The Benefits Supervisor oversees the administration and ongoing management of employee benefits programs, wellness initiatives, leave management, and workers’ compensation across the FREE Network. The Benefits Supervisor acts as the primary point of contact for benefits vendors, brokers, and insurance carriers, supporting effective vendor relationships, issue resolution, and the delivery of quality benefits services. The Benefits Supervisor directly supervises the HR Benefits Team, providing guidance and oversight to ensure consistent service delivery, timely follow-through, and effective coordination across the team.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Oversees the administration of employee benefit programs, including group health, dental, vision, retirement, disability, and voluntary benefits plans, providing guidance and support to employees regarding benefit offerings, eligibility, enrollment, and coverage. Responds to employee benefit inquiries, provides consultations as needed, and ensures appropriate tracking and follow-up of outstanding employee and vendor communications, documentation, and requests. Oversees workers' compensation administration, including timely claim submission, employee and supervisor education, coordination with the workers' compensation carrier, review of claims experience and trends, and support of safety awareness initiatives. Serves as a primary point of contact for benefits vendors, insurance carriers, brokers, and the benefits administration vendors, facilitating communication, resolving issues, and supporting effective vendor relationships. Coordinates new hire benefits enrollment, annual open enrollment, and employee education activities, including presentations, enrollment materials, communications regarding plan offerings and changes, coordination of enrollment files with carriers and vendors, and follow-up to ensure timely completion of enrollment requirements. Directly supervises the Leave Management Specialist and Benefits Assistant, providing direction, coaching, and support to ensure the timely, accurate, and consistent administration of leave management and other benefits functions in accordance with established policies and procedures. Monitors team performance, workload, and completion of assigned responsibilities to ensure service expectations, deadlines, and quality standards are met; addresses performance concerns through coaching, performance improvement plans, and corrective action, as appropriate. Collaborates with Employee Relations on leave management, workplace accommodation requests, and other matters requiring coordination between benefits administration and employee relations. Coordinates wellness initiatives, benefits fairs, and other programs and events designed to promote employee well-being, increase awareness of available resources, and support employee engagement. Oversees benefits administration system maintenance and transactions, including enrollments, qualifying life events, beneficiary designations, terminations, and COBRA administration, and provides employee guidance on 401(k) enrollment, contributions, plan updates, and available resources, ensuring data accuracy and timely processing. Coordinates with the retirement plan administrator and internal stakeholders to address employee inquiries, resolve plan-related issues, and support accurate and timely administration of employee contributions and elections. Prepares and provides employee census reports and other requested benefits information to insurance carriers, vendors, and other authorized parties, ensuring accuracy and appropriate handling of employee information. Reviews and reconciles benefits-related invoices, investigates discrepancies, and coordinates submission of approved invoices to Accounting for timely payment. Participates in Safety Committee meetings and collaborates with internal stakeholders on workers' compensation trends, workplace safety initiatives, and related prevention efforts. Ensures benefits documentation, records, and electronic transactions are completed, maintained, and processed accurately and timely in accordance with organizational policies and applicable regulations, while identifying opportunities to improve administrative processes, employee communications, and service delivery to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and the employee experience. Promotes professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and customer service among team members and in interactions with employees, persons supported, vendors, and other stakeholders. Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds. Performs other duties as assigned. Responsibilities of All FREE Employees Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community. Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees. Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk. Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours. Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance. Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations. Responsibilities of FREE Employees in Leadership/Management Positions: Ensures compliance with FREE policies, procedures, and operating standards. Implements a continuous quality improvement process for department services and administrative functions. Assists in the development, implementation and administration of Human Resources policies and programs including compliance with Equal Employment Opportunities and Affi­ective Action Programs. Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, psychology, or another related field required. Experience: Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in human resources with a minimum of (2) years’ experience administering employee benefits programs, including benefits enrollment, eligibility and coverage changes, leave management, employee education, vendor coordination, and/or benefits compliance. Minimum one (1) year of supervisory experience required. Internal and external candidates with less than one year of supervisory experience will need to successfully complete internal management and supervisory skills training within 120 days of hire or transfer into the role. For any candidate with one or more years of supervisory experience, this is highly preferred. Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications: CEBS, CBP, SHRM or PHR certification preferred. Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities: Strong knowledge of employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, leave management, workers’ compensation/disability, retirement, and voluntary benefits, as well as enrollment, eligibility, and coverage requirements. Knowledge of 401(k) plan administration, including employee enrollment, contribution changes, plan updates, and coordination with retirement plan administrators. Ability to coordinate with benefits vendors, insurance carriers, brokers, and plan administrators to resolve issues, facilitate communication, and support effective working relationships. Knowledgeable of and general human resources policies, laws, and guidelines. Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent analytical and written and verbal communication skills. Proficient computer skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel. Other Requirements: Valid Driver’s License

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role is performed in-person in a standard office environment. Occasional travel required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours). Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets. Employee might be required to lift/move light items. Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE. #J-18808-Ljbffr Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.