Director, Benefits & Leave Management

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About Suffolk: 

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies), and innovation research/development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $5.0 billion in annual revenue, 2,600 employees, and main offices in Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, government, mission critical and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

The Role:

The Director of Benefits and LOA Administration will be responsible for planning and directing the overall design, implementation and effective administration of Suffolk’s comprehensive benefit programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Oversee Suffolk’s benefit programs, including health, life, disability, FSA, HSA, EAP, 401(k), leave of absence, time off, voluntary, and wellbeing benefits.
• Responsible for managing and providing guidance and support to Benefit Team, ensuring team members are motivated and engaged.
• Lead the annual benefit open enrollment process, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for employees.
• Financial oversight (budget development with Finance, budget adherence). This includes understanding of self-funded medical and dental programs.
• Leads the development of new initiatives to establish competitive and cost-effective programs that meet employee needs.
• Oversee the internal Leave of Absence process in partnership with Prudential, People & Culture Operations, Legal, and regional HRBPs.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws governing benefits practices, including participating in the annual 401(k) audit, discrimination testing, ACA filings, and oversight of 5500’s.
• Manage relationships with third-party benefit vendors and brokers, ensuring high-quality service and cost-effective solutions.
• Lead the annual review of the People Handbook and develop a robust communication plan to ensure employees have a clear understanding of the company’s benefit and wellbeing offerings.
• Conduct market research via survey participation to identify opportunities within our existing benefits packages to remain competitive in the market.
• Ensure frequent reviews of benefit plans to verify accurate eligibility, enrollment, and financial information including invoice payment accuracy. Conduct research and analysis to address any discrepancies as needed.
• Prepare and present monthly KPIs to Senior People & Culture Leadership regarding benefit plan utilization, enrollment, and cost.
• Advise on complex benefit-related concerns and communicate effectively with employees, providing support beyond routine cases handled by the Benefits Manager or the People & Culture Operations Team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CEBS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in benefits administration, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a high-growth company in the construction, architecture, engineering, or service industry preferred.
• Proficiency in benefits administration platforms, highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state laws governing benefits practices, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
• Ability to make decisions promptly and with confidence
• Sound business judgment
• Proven success as influencer and as a change agent
• Results Driven
• Willingness to provide best in class customer service

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law.  This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.