Senior HR Benefits Specialist

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC•Cleveland, OH

About The Position

CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) is the nation's number one distributed retail mortgage lender with more than 7,000 employees operating over 700 branches and servicing loans across all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Our company has been recognized ten times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private businesses and has received many awards for our standout culture. A culture where you can grow! CCM has created an exceptional culture driving employee engagement, exceeding employee expectations, and directly impacting company success. At our core, our entrepreneurial spirit empowers every employee to be who they are to help us move forward together. You’ll get unwavering support from all departments and total transparency from the top down. CCM offers eligible employees a competitive compensation plan and a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, as well as a 401K. We also offer company-provided short-term disability, an employee assistance program, and a wellness program. Position Overview: The Senior Benefits Specialist supports the design, administration, and compliance of CrossCountry Mortgage’s employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits. This role also contributes to the administration and compliance of employee leave programs under federal, state, and local requirements, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Senior Benefits Specialist is responsible for coordinating leave requests, partnering with the third‑party administrator, maintaining accurate tracking of leave entitlements, and supporting the interactive process for workplace accommodations. This role works closely with managers and employees to ensure leave programs are administered consistently, confidentially, and in accordance with applicable policies and regulations. The Senior Benefits Specialist partners closely with HR leadership, external vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure CCM’s benefits and leave programs remain compliant, competitive, and supportive of employee needs.

Requirements

5+ years of self-funded benefits administration experience, preferably with a large employer operating in multiple states.
Experience supporting leave of absence programs, including FMLA and state leave laws.
Experience administering 401(k) retirement plans.
Experience working with benefits brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators.
Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems, Workday experience is preferred.
Advanced knowledge of health and welfare and retirement benefit programs, as well as related compliance requirements.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and employee service skills.
Skilled at managing multiple priorities in a high-volume environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with a third-party vendor, preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer and manage day-to-day operations of employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits
Support the annual open enrollment process, including plan configuration, communications, and employee support.
Manage vendor relationships and act as a primary contact for brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators.
Administer and support the company’s 401(k) and non-qualified retirement plans, including eligibility, employee communications, and coordination with recordkeepers and advisors.
Maintain accurate benefit records and ensure data integrity within HRIS systems.
Respond to employee inquiries and provide high-quality customer service.
Deliver benefits presentations for new hire orientation and prospective candidates, including executive or key hires, both in-person and virtually.
Provide administrative support for CCM’s leave of absence programs and processes, including medical, parental, military, and personal leaves.
Assist with leave administration in compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable state and local leave laws.
Partner with the Leave of Absence Specialist and third-party administrator to track leave cases and employee communications.
Guide managers and employees on leave procedures, return-to-work/Fit for Duty forms, and additional assistance as needed.