Director, Benefits

About the role

Foundation Building Materials (FBM) is a leading construction materials distribution company serving the commercial and residential construction markets across United States and Canada. The Director of Benefits will lead the enterprise-wide benefits strategy and daily operations across the United States and Canada.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction, design, implementation, and administration of enterprise-wide benefits programs for a workforce of 8,000+ employees
• Partner closely with Executive Leadership, Human Resources leadership, Finance, Payroll, Legal, Marketing, and Operations leaders to ensure benefits programs support business objectives and employee engagement
• Evaluate market trends, benchmarking data, utilization metrics, and emerging practices to ensure competitive and sustainable benefits offerings
• Provide strategic recommendations regarding plan design, cost containment, employee experience improvements, and risk mitigation
• Build and lead a high-performing benefits function focused on operational excellence, service delivery, and continuous improvement
• Oversee administration of all health and welfare programs including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, life insurance, disability, voluntary benefits, EAP, wellness, and related programs
• Ensure accurate and timely administration of enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, COBRA, and eligibility management
• Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution, including system configuration, communications, employee education, vendor coordination, and post-enrollment reconciliation
• Drive process standardization and automation initiatives to improve operational efficiency and employee service levels
• Develop and manage the benefits budget, forecasting processes, and long-term cost management strategies
• Analyze claims data, utilization trends, renewal projections, and vendor performance to identify opportunities for cost optimization and plan enhancements
• Align with Finance and executive leadership to provide data-driven recommendations regarding benefits expenditures and program investments
• Develop executive-level reporting and dashboards that communicate program performance, utilization trends, employee engagement, and financial impact
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for all benefits vendors, brokers, consultants, carriers, third-party administrators, and wellness providers
• Establish and monitor service-level agreements (SLAs), performance metrics, and accountability standards for vendor partners
• Lead RFP processes, vendor evaluations, implementation projects, and contract negotiations
• Ensure vendor services align with organizational objectives, compliance standards, and employee experience expectations
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations governing employee benefits and leave programs
• Coordinate preparation and submission of required filings and reporting including Form 5500s, nondiscrimination testing, SPDs, SARs, ACA reporting, and related documentation
• Partner with Legal, external counsel, and auditors to address regulatory changes, audits, and compliance reviews
• Maintain strong internal controls and governance processes to minimize organizational risk
• Provide strategic oversight for enterprise leave of absence and disability programs including FMLA, ADA accommodations, state-mandated leaves, paid family leave programs, and company leave policies
• Ensure consistent and compliant administration practices across all jurisdictions
• Partner with internal stakeholders and third-party administrators to improve employee experience, case management, and return-to-work processes
• Develop and execute comprehensive benefits communication and education strategies for a diverse workforce
• Ensure employees clearly understand available benefits programs, enrollment processes, and wellness resources
• Lead creation of scalable communication materials including presentations, enrollment websites, digital resources, FAQs, and educational campaigns
• Promote employee engagement through wellness initiatives, financial wellness programs, and targeted communication strategies
• Enhance the overall employee benefits experience through continuous feedback, process improvements, and service enhancements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred
• CEBS, CBP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or other advanced benefits or HR certification strongly preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration and total rewards, including significant leadership experience supporting large, complex organizations
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-state and/or North American benefits programs
• Strong background in benefits strategy, plan design, compliance, vendor management, and financial analysis
• Experience leading large-scale open enrollment initiatives and enterprise systems integrations
• Proven success leading and developing high-performing teams
• Deep knowledge of employee benefits regulations and compliance requirements including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and retirement plan governance
• Strong business acumen with advanced analytical and financial management skills
• Excellent project management and organizational capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership
• Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and vendor management skills
• Strong systems aptitude and experience with HRIS/HCM platforms such as Dayforce