Director Benefits & Total Rewards

Description

Must take a personal and active approach to health, safety and environment and understand and follow all state, federal and company health, safety and environmental requirements applicable to the work area and tasks assigned.

Summary of Position

The Director, Benefits & Total Rewards leads the company’s strategy, design, and execution of all employee benefit programs, with primary accountability for health and welfare, retirement, wellness, and executive benefits. Reporting to the Executive Vice President of Human Resources, this role serves as the organization’s principal subject matter expert and strategic advisor on benefits and total rewards. This position partners closely with the Senior HR team on compensation-related matters, including market analysis, benchmarking, and program alignment, while retaining primary ownership of all benefit plan design, fiduciary governance, vendor management, and regulatory compliance. The Director Benefits & Total Rewards also leads due diligence and integration activities related to benefits programs in support of mergers, acquisitions, collective bargaining negotiations, and new business development.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a competitive benefits strategy aligned with organizational objectives and workforce needs, ensuring programs support employee attraction, retention, and engagement.

• Direct the design, implementation, and ongoing management of all health and welfare plans, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and employee assistance programs.

• Oversee qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, including plan design, vendor relationships, investment menu oversight, and participant communications.

• Lead the long-term disability program and ensure integration with other leave and wellness offerings.

• Assess competitiveness of benefit programs in light of total compensation and recommend changes to improve their effectiveness in hiring and retaining employees.

• Evaluate program cost-effectiveness on an ongoing basis and work with leadership to gain approval on benefit design changes.

• Administer benefit programs at all employee levels, including executive arrangements such as deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plans, ensuring consistent governance and plan integrity.

• Partner closely with the Senior HR team on base compensation programs, including participation in market analysis, salary structure reviews, and merit cycle planning.

• Contribute a total rewards perspective to compensation program decisions, ensuring benefits and pay strategies are aligned and communicated holistically to employees and leadership.

• Support the Senior HR team in preparing materials for executive compensation review, providing benefits-related data, cost analysis, and program context.

• Collaborate on job evaluation and benchmarking processes to ensure total compensation positioning is accurately reflected in market comparisons.

• Serve as fiduciary leader for all benefit plans, ensuring governance, oversight, and full regulatory compliance with applicable state and federal requirements, including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, IRS, DOL, CMS, EEOC, NCPDP, and state-administered programs such as COPFML.

• As a key fiduciary member of and secretary to the Benefit Plans Administrative Committees, monitor regulatory changes and proactively assess impact on plan design and administration, recommending adjustments as needed.

• Oversee all required filings, audits, and plan documentation including Form 5500 filings and summary plan descriptions.

• Lead vendor strategy, selection, contract negotiations, and ongoing performance management across all benefit programs.

• Manage broker and consultant relationships to ensure the organization receives best-in-class market intelligence and program support.

• Drive benefits technology strategy in partnership with HR and IT to optimize the employee experience and administrative efficiency.

• Develop and execute employee communications strategies to drive program awareness, enrollment, and engagement.

• Lead benefits due diligence, program structuring, and integration for mergers, acquisitions, collectively bargained, and start-up business activities.

• Manage vendor transitions, plan terminations, and program harmonization resulting from M&A activity.

• Partner with Legal, Finance, and HR leadership to assess and mitigate benefits-related compliance risks during acquisitions.

• Support collective bargaining agreement negotiations by providing benefits cost analysis, plan design options, and compliance guidance; assist in implementing and administering benefit provisions resulting from negotiated agreements.

• Lead and develop a team of benefits and wellness professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and strong customer service.

• Communicate benefits policies, practices, and program changes effectively to all levels of the organization, including the CEO and executive team.

• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on all benefits and total rewards matters across the HR function.

• Manages benefits budget.

Necessary Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or related field required, advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in benefits and total rewards, with a demonstrated history of having managed programs directly or worked in a senior-level capacity with strategic ownership; or any combination of education and experience that provides the requisite knowledge to successfully perform the job.
• Deep expertise in health and welfare plan design, retirement plan administration, and executive benefits programs.
• Proven M&A due diligence and integration experience specific to benefits programs.
• Experience working in close partnership with senior HR and compensation teams on total rewards strategy.
• Experience presenting to and advising executive leadership and compensation committees on benefits and total rewards matters.
• Deep knowledge of all applicable federal and state regulations and government-mandated programs, including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, IRS, DOL, HHS, CMS, NCPDP, and state-administered programs such as COPFML.
• Sound business acumen with well-developed analytical, assessment, and critical thinking abilities.
• Excellent vendor negotiation and contract management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while managing program-level detail and execution.
• Outstanding collaboration and consulting skills at all levels of the organization; ability to guide and influence senior management.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex benefits topics for diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence change and drive program improvement within a complex organization.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build, develop, and inspire a high-performing team.