Benefits Supervisor

Lead a team that helps Maine's public employees secure their retirement future.

MainePERS is seeking a Benefits Supervisor in the Retirement Services department to lead and develop a team responsible for delivering timely, accurate retirement benefits to Maine's public employees and retirees.

This is an opportunity for an experienced professional who enjoys leading people, solving complex problems, sharing knowledge, and making a meaningful impact. In this role, you'll serve as both a people leader and a subject matter expert—providing guidance on complex retirement processes and legal provisions while supporting your team in delivering high-quality service to members, retirees, employers, and others.

You'll work closely with other Business Leaders and members of business unit leadership to solve problems, improve processes, develop employees, and ensure consistent application of MainePERS policies, practices, statutes, and rules.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop a team by providing day-to-day supervision, coaching, feedback, and support, including performance management and periodic performance reviews.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and primary technical resource for management and staff regarding the processes, policies, and legal provisions within the team's area of responsibility.
• Provide guidance and technical support to Specialists and other departments to ensure work is completed accurately, consistently, and timely.
• Explain applicable statutes, rules, policies, and MainePERS procedures to members, retirees, employees, employers, and organizations.
• Analyze complex issues, conduct research, evaluate potential solutions, and participate in implementing timely and constructive resolutions.
• Direct and supervise the team's day-to-day work, including workforce deployment and establishing expectations for the quality and quantity of work.
• Use key performance indicators and other information to monitor work, identify opportunities for improvement, and support effective team performance.
• Develop and deliver discipline-specific training to support employee development and strengthen technical expertise.
• Maintain and develop policies, practices, and user manuals to promote accuracy and consistency across the team.
• Conduct regular team and one-on-one meetings that encourage communication, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with the Assistant Director and other leaders regarding employee development, performance, training needs, and opportunities for team improvement.
• Lead or contribute to special projects, strategic initiatives, and interdepartmental efforts as requested.
• Support MainePERS' mission through both day-to-day leadership and effective communication with staff and stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Enjoys leading, coaching, and developing people and takes pride in helping others succeed.
• Has deep subject matter expertise and can translate complex technical and legal information into practical guidance.
• Is a thoughtful problem-solver who can research, analyze, document, and resolve complex issues.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with employees, members, retirees, employers, and colleagues.
• Can balance people leadership with technical expertise and day-to-day operational responsibilities.
• Builds trust and productive working relationships across teams and departments.
• Can establish clear expectations for quality, productivity, and accountability while supporting employee development.
• Is comfortable providing feedback, addressing performance concerns, and navigating challenging conversations.
• Enjoys identifying opportunities to improve processes, develop staff, and strengthen team performance.
• Can adapt to change and help others successfully navigate new processes, systems, and expectations.
• Is comfortable using Microsoft Office and Excel and learning new systems and tools.
• Represents MainePERS professionally and supports the organization's mission through both words and actions.

Why This Work Matters

The work of Retirement Services directly impacts the retirement of Maine's public employees and retirees. As a Business Leader, you'll have an opportunity to make that impact not only through your own expertise, but by developing a team that delivers accurate, dependable service every day.

Whether you're helping a team navigate a complex retirement issue, coaching an employee through professional development, or working across departments to improve how we serve our members, your leadership helps ensure that MainePERS delivers the quality service our members count on.

If you enjoy developing people, solving complex problems, and leading teams through change and continuous improvement, we encourage you to apply.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum qualifications:

• Associate degree in a relevant field plus at least five (5) years of experience serving as a subject matter expert in work related to this classification; at least ten (10) years of experience as a subject matter expert in the duties described in this classification; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Supervisory experience or significant team leadership experience.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Proficient in Excel at the Beginner level.
• Ability to travel within the state; valid driver's license and maintenance of a good driving record.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience building and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience managing teams through organizational change, or formal training in change management principles.

Salary: Begins at $88,462 if annualized

Benefits: We offer an outstanding benefit package including: 13 Paid Holidays, Health Insurance, Dental Insurance (fully paid), Vision Care, Employer Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Employer contribution to Pension, Deferred Compensation Plan, substantial Tuition Reimbursement, Parental leave, Generous Vacation and Sick Leave.