Benefits Director

About This Role

This Benefits Director will lead the strategic design, implementation, and administration of employee benefits programs for a high-volume, multi-unit company. The role ensures benefits are competitive, cost-effective, and compliant, serving as a subject matter expert in benefits, ACA, leaves of absence, and reasonable accommodations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the overall benefits strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry trends
• Oversee the design, evaluation, and optimization of benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement programs
• Lead benefits-related RFPs, vendor evaluations, and plan redesign initiatives
• Direct the administration of benefits programs for a large, geographically dispersed employee population
• Oversee annual open enrollment, plan renewals, cost modeling, and communications
• Manage relationships with brokers, carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators
• Serve as an in-house expert on ACA compliance, eligibility tracking, affordability, reporting, and measurement periods
• Oversee and ensure consistent administration of leaves of absence (FMLA, state-specific leaves, short-term disability) and employee accommodations (ADA)
• Manage IRS penalty assessments related to benefits and ACA compliance
• Use data and analytics to evaluate plan performance, forecast costs, and identify opportunities for efficiency and improvement
• Develop and manage the benefits budget, ensuring cost control

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in benefits or total rewards including 5+ years in a Senior Manager/Director level role
• Deep knowledge of U.S. benefits laws and regulations including ACA, ERISA, FMLA, HIPAA, and ADA
• Proven experience managing benefits strategy, vendor relationships, plan design, and open enrollment cycles
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills
• Demonstrated success influencing senior leadership and communicating complex benefit concepts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in benefits or total rewards, including at least 5 years in a Senior Manager/Director level role

Nice to Have

• Master's/MBA degree
• Experience supporting large-scale, high-volume hourly workforces with multi-unit experience