Director, Benefits & Leaves of Absence

Key Accountabilities

• Enterprise Benefits Strategy & Program Governance
• Establish and own Medica’s enterprise benefits strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, workforce needs, and financial targets
• Lead benefit plan design decisions to balance competitiveness, cost management, employee value, and wellbeing outcomes
• Partner with consultants to assess market trends, innovation opportunities, pricing, and benchmarking
• Oversee analysis of claims data, utilization patterns, and vendor performance to inform strategic recommendations
• Provide executive-level guidance and recommendations for annual renewals, open enrollment strategy, and plan changes
• Champion integration of wellbeing, financial wellness, and total rewards initiatives across the enterprise
• Leaves of Absence Strategy & Program Management
• Provide end-to-end strategic leadership for all leave of absence programs, including FMLA, state paid family and medical leave, disability, parental, and company-sponsored leaves
• Ensure consistent, compliant, and equitable application of leave policies across the organization
• Lead implementation and optimization of new or amended statutory leave programs
• Serve as Medica’s enterprise authority on leave policy interpretation, complex cases, and escalation
• Partner with Employee Relations, HRBPs, and Legal to mitigate risk and support employee outcomes

Compliance, Fiduciary Oversight & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, IRS regulations, and applicable federal and state leave laws
• Oversee governance activities including Form 5500 filings, audits, SPDs/SBCs, plan documents, and policy updates
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes; proactively assess impacts and lead required program or policy changes
• Partner with Legal and Finance to manage fiduciary risk, audits, and regulatory inquiries
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls, documentation standards, and compliance processes

Vendor, Stakeholder, Financial & Systems Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of relationships with carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, and technology partners
• Lead or oversee RFPs, vendor selection, contract negotiations, and service-level agreements in partnership with Procurement
• Hold vendors accountable for performance, service delivery, and continuous improvement
• Oversee benefit program financial management, including wage replacement, premium deductions, benefit continuation, and vendor fees
• Ensure benefits and leave systems are optimized, scalable, and integrated to support reporting, compliance, and employee experience

Leadership & Employee Experience

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing benefits and leave team; establish clear expectations, performance standards, and career development pathways
• Partner with and provide executive-level consultation and guidance to HRBPs and people leaders throughout the enterprise
• Ensure delivery of clear, accessible, and effective benefit and leave communications across multiple channels
• Champion initiatives that enhance employee understanding, engagement, and satisfaction with benefits and leave programs

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field
• 8+ years of benefits administration experience
• 5+ years of leadership experience
• Leaves of Absence experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of benefits laws and compliance, vendor management, analytical skills
• Strong knowledge of leave laws and best practices
• CEBS, SHRM-CP/SCP or similar certifications