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Crucial Hire

Benefits Director

Crucial Hire, Irvine, California, United States, 92713

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Job Title: Benefits Director Industry: Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Employment Type: Full‑Time

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced

Benefits Director

to lead the day‑to‑day operations of a high‑performing benefits team within a professional employer organization (PEO) environment. This role is responsible for overseeing the administration of all PEO‑sponsored benefit plans while delivering an exceptional client and employee experience.

The Benefits Director partners closely with executive leadership, client services, and cross‑functional teams to develop innovative solutions, improve processes, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader with strong analytical, communication, and relationship‑management skills who can effectively balance strategic planning with hands‑on operational execution.

Essential Duties and Requirements The essential duties and requirements of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Leadership, Team Management, and Development

Lead, mentor, and develop the benefits team, ensuring alignment with organizational values, quality review results, and established performance standards.

Conduct regular one‑on‑one meetings and quarterly performance reviews to provide coaching, feedback, and development plans for direct reports.

Review, approve, and manage employee time‑off requests while ensuring adequate departmental coverage.

Foster a collaborative and high‑performing team culture that promotes accountability and continuous learning.

Partner with leadership to recruit, interview, and onboard top talent through a structured and best‑practice hiring process.

Minimum of

two (2) or more years of prior people management experience

required.

Client Engagement, Advisory Support, and Relationship Management

Serve as a strategic and consultative resource for clients, providing guidance on PEO‑sponsored benefit plans, plan design changes, and compliance updates.

Act as a liaison for clients during benefit overviews, plan amendments, and escalated benefits‑related issues.

Ensure timely, accurate, and professional responses to client and employee benefit inquiries to deliver a superior customer experience.

Partner with the Client Services team to proactively identify and address potential client concerns and support client retention efforts.

Serve as a backup resource for complex client conversions and high‑value client accounts as needed.

Strong communication, relationship‑management, and client‑facing skills required.

Benefits Administration and Regulatory Compliance

Oversee the administration of all PEO‑sponsored benefit plans, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Manage the preparation and execution of the annual electronic open enrollment process, including the development of timelines, client communications, and system readiness.

Lead ACA planning and compliance efforts for clients, including monitoring regulatory updates and guiding internal teams on required actions.

Coordinate and conduct Premium Only Plan (POP) discrimination testing for applicable clients.

Review benefit‑related documents, including summary plan descriptions, pricing analyses, and client‑facing materials, to ensure accuracy, clarity, and regulatory compliance.

Update benefit forms, resources, and communication templates on an annual basis or as needed.

Advanced working knowledge of

ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA , and other applicable federal and state regulations required.

Process Improvement, Analytics, and Strategic Initiatives

Continuously evaluate, develop, and improve departmental processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and service quality.

Analyze client experience survey results and other performance data to identify opportunities to elevate the client journey and employee satisfaction.

Collaborate with leadership to design and implement strategic initiatives that support organizational goals and client retention.

Assist with additional assignments, projects, or response roles as assigned by management.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and apply insights operationally required.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree preferred, with five (5) or more years of experience in employee benefits, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Two (2) or more years of prior management experience required.

Skills and Competencies

Ability to preserve confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Ability to complete projects independently in a remote or distributed work environment during set business hours with minimal supervision.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.

Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.

Strong time management skills.

Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and decision‑making ability.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

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