Director of Benefits

Title: Director of Benefits

Reports to: Senior HR Director

What We Offer:

• Top 401k plans in the industry. Employer contribution of 5% and 6% match, for a total of 11%.
• Comprehensive Medical and Dental Benefits.
• Paid Time Off: Personal, Vacation & Sick; Paid Holidays.

About the Company

The Arc Mercer is a trusted leader in providing comprehensive support and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Mercer County.

***Captive Insurance & Self‑Funded Strategy***

***This is not a “pass it to the carrier” role***

Position Summary

The Arc Mercer is seeking a Director of Benefits who thrives in a self‑insured, captive‑insurance environment and takes full ownership of the benefits function. This role is intentionally designed for a leader who does not pass issues to carriers, brokers, or third parties. Instead, this Director (along with their staff) will directly manage, investigate, and resolve benefits matters with confidence and expertise.

As a self‑funded organization with a captive model, The Arc Mercer controls its own risk, its own claims, and its own employee experience.This strategy gives The Arc Mercer more control, lower long‑term costs, and the ability to customize coverage in ways the commercial market often can’t match.

Our Benefits Department is a collaborative, internal, team‑driven operation, including a hands‑on claims processing team that this Director will lead. The right candidate will be energized by the opportunity to design programs, drive aggressive health and wellness initiatives, and implement premium holiday strategies that reward employee engagement and cost stewardship.

This is a role for a builder, someone who wants to shape the future of benefits at The Arc Mercer, not outsource it.

Key Responsibilities

• Benefits Leadership — Serve as the organization’s subject‑matter expert for all health, welfare, and retirement benefits.
• Hands‑On Issue Resolution — Personally investigate and resolve complex benefits issues; work directly with employees rather than relying on carriers or brokers to solve problems.
• Plan Administration — Oversee day‑to‑day administration of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary benefits, and 401(k) plans.
• Leave Management — Lead administration of FMLA, ADA, LOA, Workers’ Compensation, and related programs.
• Team Leadership — Supervise, coach, and develop Benefits staff to ensure accuracy, responsiveness, and exceptional service.
• Employee Engagement — Create and deliver benefits education, open enrollment communications, and one‑on‑one support.
• Vendor & Broker Management — Manage relationships with carriers and brokers while maintaining internal ownership of problem‑solving and service delivery.
• Compliance & Reporting — Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other regulatory requirements; oversee audits and reporting.
• Process Improvement — Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, enhance employee experience, and reduce administrative burden.

What We’re Looking For

• 7 years of progressive experience in employee benefits, including health & welfare and leave administration
• Experience leading a Benefits function at the manager or director level
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex benefits issues directly
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation
• Experience managing or mentoring staff
• Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and customer service skills
• Ability to work onsite and engage directly with employees across programs
• A proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset—someone who takes ownership rather than outsourcing problems

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Arc Mercer is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation or assistance with your application, please contact us at accommodations@arcmercer.org.

Pre-Employment Requirements: All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, drug screening, physical exam, PPD test, and verification of an acceptable driving record.