Benefits Specialist Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States

ISO New England Inc.; Holyoke (MA); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced 401(k) and financial planning

Tuition reimbursement and professional

Wellness programs and onsite gym

Flexible work hours

Relocation assistance available

Employee networks and onsite cafe

Job summary

ISO New England Inc. is seeking a Benefits Specialist to manage benefits programs across health, life, pensions, and leaves, partnering with Total Rewards, Finance and external vendors to ensure compliant, efficient administration.

The role emphasizes translating complex plan provisions into clear guidance while driving process improvements within a flexible hybrid environment. Candidates should have 3+ years in benefits and HRIS experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, Psychology, or related field.
• 3+ years supporting a variety of benefit programs including leaves of absence.
• Knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA/state leave, ADA regulations.
• Experience with HRIS/benefits platforms (Workday, Dayforce, Alight, Benefitfocus, bswift).
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Strong multitasking, prioritization, and problem-solving under tight timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day administration and improvement of benefit processes with Total Rewards alignment.
• Oversee core benefits operations: enrollments, life events, file feeds, reconciliations; create SOPs.
• Serve as subject matter expert for select benefits and drive related communications.
• Assist with leave of absence and accommodation administration with proper vendor case management.
• Maintain vendor relationships and drive ongoing process improvements and issue resolution.
• Develop benefits communications that simplify complex topics for employees and leaders.
• Lead annual open enrollment planning, testing, and employee communications.
• Support budgeting, audits, invoicing, and data collection for benefits.

Skills

Vendor management

HRIS experience

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

Workday

Dayforce

Benefitfocus / bswift

Microsoft Office

Job description

ISO New England is the independent system operator responsible for ensuring the safe and reliable flow of electricity in our region and planning for the future of the electric grid. We are at the forefront of New England’s ongoing transition to clean energy.

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 cafe
• 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 initiative.
• 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 below. 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.

Salary Range

$105,000 - $130,000 USD

This is a U.S. based role. If the successful candidate resides outside of the U.S., relocation will be required. Equal Opportunity: We are proud to be an EEO employer. Applicants for employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, national origin, age, ancestry, marital status, disability (including learning, mental, intellectual, and physical), service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Drug Free Environment: We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.