Benefits Manager

Benefits Manager
Hybrid - OH, PA, DE, NC, SC, GA, FL

Your role in our success will be:

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 youʼll be working on:

Benefits Administration & Vendor Management

• 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.

Financial Administration, Analytics & Reporting

• 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-funded plan 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?

• Flexible work arrangement
• Competitive base salary
• 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 careers@chpk.com.