ISO New England

Benefits Specialist

ISO New England$105K — $130K *
Business Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, Psychology, or a related field; advanced degree or HR/benefits certifications preferred.
  • 3+ years experience supporting various benefit programs, including leaves of absence.
  • Knowledge of benefits-related regulations (ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA) and their application.
  • Experience with HRIS/benefits administration platforms (e.g., Workday, Dayforce).
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with adaptability for different audiences.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and strong analytical skills.

Responsibilities

  • Manage daily administration and improvement of benefit processes with the Total Rewards team.
  • Oversee core benefits operations like enrollments and vendor management, including SOP maintenance.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and SME for specific benefit offerings and communications.
  • Assist with leave of absence administration, ensuring compliance and clear guidance is provided.
  • Maintain vendor relationships to ensure efficient process execution and issue resolution.
  • Create engaging communications to help employees understand complex benefits topics.
  • Drive annual open enrollment project planning and execution, including vendor coordination.

Benefits

  • Stable, mission-driven workplace where your impact truly matters.
  • Highly engaged work environment that values inclusion and employee wellbeing.
  • Robust benefits package including enhanced 401(k) and financial planning support.
  • Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities available.
  • Wellness programs, including onsite gym access.
  • Flexible work hours to promote work-life balance.
  • Hybrid work environment with 3 days onsite per week.
Full Job Description
The Benefits Specialist position offers opportunities for engaging work with meaningful impact, in a flexible, hybrid work environment.

The Benefits Specialist plays a key role in the delivery of an exceptional employee benefits experience. This position partners closely with the Total Rewards & HRIS team, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to ensure compliant, efficient administration across a broad portfolio of benefit programs, including health insurance, life/disability, voluntary benefits, retirement, leaves of absence and accommodations. The ideal candidate brings strong judgment, a consultative approach, and the ability to translate complex plan provisions into clear guidance for employees and managers. The Benefits Specialist leads operational execution, drives process optimization, and supports the organization's total rewards strategy, all while helping employees navigate some of life's most important moments.

What we offer you:
  • A stable, mission-driven workplace where your impact truly matters
  • A highly engaged work environment that values inclusion, collaboration, and employee safety and wellbeing
  • Competitive compensation with a base salary + performance bonus
  • Robust benefits package, including:
    • Enhanced 401(k) and financial planning support
    • Tuition reimbursement and professional development
    • Wellness programs, including an onsite gym
    • Flexible work hours
    • Employee Business Networks
    • Free coffee at our onsite café
  • Hybrid work environment (3 days/week onsite)
  • Distance-based relocation assistance available


How you will make an Impact:
  • Manage day-to-day administration and continuous improvement of multiple benefit processes, partnering with the Total Rewards team to align delivery with employee experience, compliance, and benefits strategy
  • Coordinate and oversee core benefits operations (enrollments, life events, vendor file feeds, reconciliations), and create and maintain standard operating procedures
  • Serve as primary point of contact and subject matter expert for select benefit offerings and processes (e.g., education reimbursement, pension processing, retiree health benefits), owning workflows, tracking, and driving related communications
  • Assist with leave of absence and accommodation administration, ensuring timely follow up and clear guidance to employees, managers, and Payroll, as well as proper vendor case management
  • Manage day-to-day benefits vendor relationships, ensuring strong partnerships, efficient administration, ongoing process improvement, and timely issue escalation/resolution
  • Create and distribute engaging benefits communications that translate complex topics into clear decision support for employees and leaders
  • Drive annual open enrollment for active and retiree populations-project planning, system readiness/testing, vendor coordination, and employee-ready communications
  • Lead special projects as assigned, including working closely with the Total Rewards team to implement strategic benefits initiatives
  • Support benefits budgeting processes, annual benefits audits, invoice processing and reconciliation, and data collection and reporting
  • Serve as first point of contact for employee and retiree inquiries; provide basic education on plan provisions and next steps, and resolve issues with sound judgment, escalating complex cases as needed
  • Support the planning and coordination of benefits-related webinars, meetings, and required mailings
  • Identify efficiencies and opportunities to streamline and automate routine processes

What we are looking for:
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, Psychology, or a related field (advanced degree and/or HR or benefits certification(s) a plus)
  • 3+ years of experience supporting a variety of benefit programs including leaves of absence
  • Working knowledge of benefits-related regulations and governance (e.g., ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA/state leave, ADA); the ability to interpret and apply regulations and plan provisions
  • Experience with HRIS/benefits administration platforms (e.g., Workday, Dayforce, Alight, Benefitfocus, bswift), including testing, configurations, and file feeds
  • Demonstrated ability to manage highly sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality
  • Ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritize effectively, problem-solve, and deliver on tight timelines
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills - adaptable as needed to fit the situation, message, and recipient(s)
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
  • Strong analytical thinking skills, organization skills, and a keen eye for attention to detail


This employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position (ex: H-1B, F-1/CPT/OPT, O-1, E-3, TN, J, etc.).

The expected salary range for this position is $105,000 - $130,000 per year. This role is also eligible for an annual performance bonus, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental and vision), flexible spending and health savings accounts, a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions and a student debt benefit, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, critical illness and hospital indemnity benefits, paid time off, paid leave, a wellness program, an employee assistance program and other great company perks.

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This is a U.S. based role. If the successful candidate resides outside of the U.S., relocation will be required.

About ISO New England

ISO New England Inc. is an independent, non-profit Regional Transmission Organization, headquartered in Holyoke, Massachusetts, serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. ISO-NE oversees the operation of New England's bulk electric power system and transmission lines, generated and transmitted by its member utilities, as well as Hydro-Québec, NB Power, the New York Power Authority and utilities in New York state, when the need arises. ISO-NE is responsible for reliably operating New England's 32,000 megawatt bulk electric power generation and transmission system. One of its major duties is to provide tariffs for the prices, terms, and conditions of the energy supply in New England. ISO New England's stated mission is to protect the health of New England's economy and the well-being of its people by ensuring the constant availability of electricity, today and for future generations. ISO New England ensures the day-to-day reliable operation of New England's bulk power generation and transmission system, oversees the administration of the region's wholesale electricity markets, and manages the regional planning processes. ISO-NE was created in 1997 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as a replacement for the New England Power Pool, which was created in 1971. The ISO-NE grid does not extend to remote parts of eastern and northern Maine in Washington and Aroostook Counties. In these areas, residents receive their electricity from Canadian providers such as NB Power and Hydro-Québec.
Learn more about ISO New England
Industry
Founded
1997

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