Benefits Manager

Benefits Manager Hybrid - OH, PA, DE, NC, SC, GA, FL Your role in our success will be: 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. What makes us great At the heart of our Company is a dedication to delivering energy that drives progress. We put people first, work to keep them safe and build trusting relationships. What you'll be working on: 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. Leave Administration & Workers’ Compensation 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. Compliance, Governance & Employee Administration 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. Systems, Process Improvement & Integration 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. Who you are: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required Master’s degree (MBA or HR-related) preferred Valid driver’s license required Preferred Certifications: CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist), SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP or PHR / SPHR, CLMS (Certified Leave Management Specialist) 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 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 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 Working knowledge of benefits financial management, including vendor billing, cost tracking, and self-fundedplan administration (e.g., stop-loss) 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 What's in it for you? Fantastic opportunities for career growth Cooperative, supportive and empowered team atmosphere Annual bonus and salary increase opportunities Monthly recognition events Endless wellness initiatives and community events Robust and customizable benefit packages-choose what works best with your life. Options include generous 401k, medical, dental and life insurance, tuition reimbursement, compensated volunteer hours and MORE! Paid time off, holidays and a separate bank of sick time Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors. Applicants with a disability that need assistance applying for a position may email View email address on click.appcast.io. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Chesapeake-Utilities-Corporation