Tamara Crutchfield
Chesapeake,Virginia
Summary
Results-driven HR and benefits professional with proven track record in managing employee benefits programs. Skilled in strategic planning, policy implementation, and regulatory compliance. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving measurable results. Adaptable, empathetic, reliable, and ready to meet evolving needs of any organization.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Benefits Manager
Cherry Bekaert Advisory, LLC
06.2024 - 03.2025
- Asked to return to Cherry Bekaert from November 2022 to November 2023.
- Managed all employee benefits for over 2,500 employees (nationwide)- health, retirement and wellness benefits
- Managed a team of two full-time and one part-time Benefits Specialists
- Recommended, strategized and implemented plans to create a competitive and cost effective benefits package
- Partnered with HR Business Partners on performance/attendance issues related to ADA or FMLA matters
- Stayed informed on trends in benefits and cost share strategies among competitors
- Managed all ADA workplace accommodation requests
- Ensured compliance with all DOL, EEOC, ERISA, ACA, and other state and federal regulations
- Managed FMLA administration, coordinating leave requests and tracking time off for compliance purposes.
- Completed benefits due diligence and developed deliverables for all mergers and acquisitions
- Developed templates for comparing and analyzing benefits for acquisitions of other firms
- Recommended, developed and introduced the firm's first Parental Leave Policy
- Recommended and implemented a fertility benefit that was inclusive for all employees covered under the the Firm's medical plans
- Audited benefit programs and agreements to optimize service delivery.
HR Business Partner
Viventium Software, Inc.
11.2023 - 06.2024
- Developed and implemented the HR Strategy to promote growth and efficiency
- Coached Leaders on managing their teams with respect to performance management and difficult conversations
- Provided guidance on assigning FLSA classifications to all requisitions
- Recommended new programs and strategies to increase employee engagement
- Oversaw all employee relations matters, including investigations and disciplinary actions
- Worked closely with all Leaders to understand their organizational needs and find solutions
- Ensured compliance with multiple states and federal labor regulations
- Developed Viventium's first formal new hire onboarding program
- Rolled out a new performance management process
- Managed conflict resolution processes to maintain a positive work environment and resolve employee disputes effectively.
- Partnered with legal counsel to ensure compliance with employment regulations, reducing potential liability risks for the organization.
Benefits Manager
Cherry Bekaert Advisory, LLC
11.2022 - 11.2023
- Managed all employee benefits for over 2,500 employees (nationwide)- health, retirement and wellness benefits
- Managed a team of two full-time and one part-time Benefits Specialists
- Recommended, strategized and implemented plans to create a competitive and cost effective benefits package
- Partnered with HR Business Partners on performance/attendance issues related to ADA or FMLA matters
- Stayed informed on trends in benefits and cost share strategies among competitors
- Managed all ADA workplace accommodation requests
- Ensured compliance with all DOL, EEOC, ERISA, ACA, and other state and federal regulations
- Managed FMLA administration, coordinating leave requests and tracking time off for compliance purposes.
- Completed benefits due diligence and developed deliverables for all mergers and acquisitions
- Developed templates for comparing and analyzing benefits for acquisitions of other firms
- Recommended, developed and introduced the firm's first Parental Leave Policy
- Audited benefit programs and agreements to optimize service delivery.
Benefits & Compensation Manager
Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group
09.2020 - 11.2022
- Managed all employee benefits for over 1,000 employees - health, retirement and wellness benefits
- Recommended and implemented strategies, to create a competitive and costeffective benefits package
- Oversaw all leave of absences (FMLA and personal leaves) and ADA workplace accommodation requests
- Coached managers on handling ADA accommodation and FMLA related conversations
- Ensured compliance with all DOL, EEOC, ERISA, ACA, and other federal regulations
- Reviewed and approved annual merit increases
- Provided compensation details to hiring managers and recommend adjustments if needed
- First employee of TPMG to earn a Beacon Award (quarterly award to recognize employees' achievements and hard work) within four months of service
- Developed TPMG's first employee wellness program
- Developed educational materials for managers to better understand the company''s pay philosophy and how it applied to their teams' salaries and bonuses.
HR Business Partner
Harbor Group Management
01.2020 - 09.2020
- Managed ADA workplace accommodation requests
- Ensured compliance with all federal and state labor laws
- Coached managers on handling employee or team issues
- Managed and tracked all COVID-19 cases and advised managers/employees on quarantine requirements
- Investigated employee relation matters and consulted with legal team as needed
- Revised and improved new hire orientation for a virtual audience
HR Business Partner, Manager
ADP
05.2017 - 01.2020
- Coached managers on handling employee or team issues
- Worked closely with other HR Business partners across different business units
- Managed projects that aligned with the location and Organization's strategy
- Investigated employee relation matters and consulted with legal team as needed
- Built relationships with leaders to better understand the needs of their business unit and teams
- Received a #hellogr8ness award during Qtr 2 of OneADP Norfolk's 2019 Fiscal Year
Senior Health & Benefits Consulting Analyst
Mercer Health and Benefits, Inc.
04.2016 - 05.2017
- Strategized with clients (HR Professionals) on providing competitive and costeffective benefit solutions
- Gathered renewals and quotes (RFPs) for clients' employee benefit options
- Worked closely with health insurance vendors to develop strong, dependable working relationships
- Reviewed all clients' employee benefit contracts and plan documents to ensure compliance and accuracy
Assistant Manager of Benefits
Norfolk Southern Corporation
08.2013 - 04.2016
- Managed all employee benefits for over 5,000 non-union employees
- Strategized with Employee Benefits team on providing a competitive and costeffective benefits plan for employees
- Managed the FMLA processes for all employees (union and non-union)
- Managed all communications related to employee benefits
- Received the Norfolk Southern Spirit Award for updating, improving, and simplifying the FMLA process
Benefits Specialist
Eastern Virginia Medical School
08.2012 - 08.2013
- Managed all employee benefits
- Managed the FMLA processes for all employees (union and non-union)
- Managed all communications related to employee benefits
HR Coordinator (temporary employee)
L-3 Unidyne
04.2012 - 08.2012
- Assisted recruiter with scheduling interviews
- Managed all hiring paperwork for new employees
- Managed all employee communications
HR Coordinator
California-Pacific Annual Conference
09.2009 - 04.2012
- Managed and administered workers' compensation
- Managed all recruiting - posting jobs online, interviewing, hiring
- Managed the onboarding of all new hires
Benefits Assistant
BIOLA University
07.2007 - 09.2009
- Assisted with the administration of all employee benefits
- Managed and administered workers' compensation
- Assisted with other Human Resources activities as needed
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
BIOLA University
12-2008
Skills
- Benefits Administration Expertise
- Organizational Strategy
- Building Stakeholder Partnerships
- Employee relations
- Absence Management Expertise
- Performance management
- Reporting and data analysis
- HIPAA compliance
- HRIS systems
- 401K Plan Management
- Employment law compliance (state and federal)
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with Legal, HR Business Partners and Insurance Broker in the development of a Parental Leave Policy.
- Collaborated with Talent Acquisition and other Leaders in the development of an onboarding program for remote workers.
- Developed tools and deliverables to analyze and compare benefits during the due diligence stage of acquisitions.
- Developed wellness incentive program for two employers.
- Led the benefits configuration and testing as the Subject Matter Expert during implementation of Workday and Paycom.
- Led Open Enrollment in Paycor, Paycom, and UKG.
- Managed benefits in Workday, Paycor, Paycom, and UKG.
Certification
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), HR Certification Institute
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Benefits Manager
Cherry Bekaert Advisory, LLC
06.2024 - 03.2025
HR Business Partner
Viventium Software, Inc.
11.2023 - 06.2024
Benefits Manager
Cherry Bekaert Advisory, LLC
11.2022 - 11.2023
Benefits & Compensation Manager
Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group
09.2020 - 11.2022
HR Business Partner
Harbor Group Management
01.2020 - 09.2020
HR Business Partner, Manager
ADP
05.2017 - 01.2020
Senior Health & Benefits Consulting Analyst
Mercer Health and Benefits, Inc.
04.2016 - 05.2017
Assistant Manager of Benefits
Norfolk Southern Corporation
08.2013 - 04.2016
Benefits Specialist
Eastern Virginia Medical School
08.2012 - 08.2013
HR Coordinator (temporary employee)
L-3 Unidyne
04.2012 - 08.2012
HR Coordinator
California-Pacific Annual Conference
09.2009 - 04.2012
Benefits Assistant
BIOLA University
07.2007 - 09.2009
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
BIOLA University
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