Benefits Director

Our client is searching for a Benefits Director for their headquarters located in Houston. This position leads the strategic design, implementation, and administration of the company’s employee benefits programs for a high-volume, multi-unit company. This role ensures that all benefit offerings are competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and supportive of a diverse workforce that includes hourly employees and corporate staff. This role will also serve as the company’s subject-matter expert in benefits, ACA, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, and related compliance requirements. The salary range for this position is $150,000-$160,000 per year.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Benefits Strategy & Program Leadership

• Develop and lead the overall benefits strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, workforce demographics, and industry trends.
• Oversee the design, evaluation, and optimization of benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, wellness programs, and voluntary offerings.
• Ensure benefit plans are competitive within the market and drive retention and employee engagement.
• Lead benefits-related RFPs, vendor evaluations, and plan redesign initiatives as needed.

Plan Administration & Operations

• 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 to ensure high-quality service and effective plan performance.
• Maintain and update internal HR/benefits communication platforms to ensure employees have clear, accurate, and accessible benefit information.
• Ensure all required benefit notices, summaries, wrap documents, plan documents, and participant communications remain accurate, current, and compliant.
• Oversee monthly carrier billing, eligibility reconciliation, and resolution of discrepancies.
• Ensure accurate management and communication of benefit arrears, including employee understanding and appropriate payroll coordination.

Compliance, Leaves, and Accommodations

• 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, etc.) and employee accommodations in accordance with ADA and applicable laws.
• Ensure full compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other federal and state regulations impacting benefits.
• Manage IRS penalty assessments related to benefits and ACA compliance, including research, response development, mitigation strategies, and communications with government entities.
• Coordinate and oversee all mandated annual and periodic compliance activities.
• Partner with brokers, legal counsel, and vendors to support compliance audits, regulatory inquiries, and government requests.
• Use data and analytics to evaluate plan performance, forecast costs, and identify opportunities for efficiency and improvement.
• Prepare executive-level reports and present benefit recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop and manage the benefits budget, ensuring cost control while maintaining high-value offerings.
• Lead and mentor the benefits team, fostering a culture of customer service, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Payroll, Legal, and Operations partners to ensure seamless execution of benefit programs.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on benefits trends, risks, and strategic opportunities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field required, Master’s/MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in benefits or total rewards, including at least 5 years in a Senior Manager/Director level role.
• Experience supporting large-scale, high-volume hourly workforces with multi-unit experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing and developing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• 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, with the ability to interpret data and drive informed recommendations.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior leadership and communicating complex benefit concepts in a clear, employee-friendly way.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and commitment to employee service.

If you are interested in this position, please apply on-line or e-mail your resume to

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