Director of Benefits
Barnes & Thornburg, Chicago, IL, United States
Director Of Benefits
The Director of Benefits is responsible for the strategic planning, design, administration, and communication of the firm's health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs and intranet updates on BTConnect. This role ensures benefits offerings are competitive, compliant, and aligned with the firm's values and talent strategy to attract and retain top legal and professional staff. The director of benefits will also be responsible for managing the performance and development of the Benefits Team. Key Responsibilities: Lead the daily management and strategy of all firm wide benefits programs, including self-insured medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, group and individual long-term disability, life insurance, wellness and employee assistance programs, retirement plans, leave policies, and voluntary benefits. Partner with firm leadership, Finance, and HR colleagues to align benefits programs with business needs, talent priorities, and budget considerations. Oversee vendor relationships, renewals, plan design, and implementation of new programs and enhancements. Monitor industry trends, legal and regulatory changes (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA), and best practices to ensure compliance and maintain competitive offerings. Serve as the primary resource and subject matter expert on benefits, wellness programs, and leave policies firm wide. Lead annual open enrollment, including communications, training sessions, and system updates. Oversee benefits compliance processes, including plan audits, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 filings, 401k plan and distribution of required notices. Develop and deliver clear benefits communications to help employees and partners understand and maximize their benefits. Supervise and develop benefits team members to deliver high-quality service across all offices. Regularly analyze benefits utilization, costs, and employee feedback to recommend improvements. Oversee preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies, such as Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, insurance commissioners, and other regulatory agencies. Verifies the calculation of the monthly/quarterly premiums for all benefit plans relative to premiums, claims, and costs. Works with Payroll and HRIS Administrator coordinating the Benefit deductions and reports. Provides back-up support for the 401(k)/Pension Administrator who is responsible for the firmwide operations of the Cash Balance and 401(k)/Profit Sharing plans. Work with the Pension & Benefits Committee, to track, review and understand changes to applicable federal and state regulations and legislation; schedule quarterly meetings, prepare agenda, distribute materials, prepare minutes and file materials. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, finance or a related field or equivalent experience leading a benefits team or function. 810+ years of progressively responsible benefits experience; law firm, professional services, or partnership environment strongly preferred. In-depth knowledge of applicable federal and state benefits laws, compliance requirements and regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA). Experience designing and administering benefits plans in a multi-office or multi-state environment. Proficient in Excel Strong project management, vendor management, and analytical skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to explain complex benefits topics to diverse employee populations. HRIS system conversion/implementation experience strongly preferred Certification such as CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) or similar credential preferred but not required SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred This job description is intended to describe the general requirements of this position. As such, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of job duties or responsibilities required in this job. Subject to firm needs, duties and responsibilities of this position may change at any time, on a temporary or permanent basis, and with or without notice. Reasonable accommodation requests may be accommodated, absent undue firm hardship. Working Conditions: Onsite in office work required. Normal law office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like. Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement: Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran's status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.
The Director of Benefits is responsible for the strategic planning, design, administration, and communication of the firm's health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs and intranet updates on BTConnect. This role ensures benefits offerings are competitive, compliant, and aligned with the firm's values and talent strategy to attract and retain top legal and professional staff. The director of benefits will also be responsible for managing the performance and development of the Benefits Team. Key Responsibilities: Lead the daily management and strategy of all firm wide benefits programs, including self-insured medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, group and individual long-term disability, life insurance, wellness and employee assistance programs, retirement plans, leave policies, and voluntary benefits. Partner with firm leadership, Finance, and HR colleagues to align benefits programs with business needs, talent priorities, and budget considerations. Oversee vendor relationships, renewals, plan design, and implementation of new programs and enhancements. Monitor industry trends, legal and regulatory changes (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA), and best practices to ensure compliance and maintain competitive offerings. Serve as the primary resource and subject matter expert on benefits, wellness programs, and leave policies firm wide. Lead annual open enrollment, including communications, training sessions, and system updates. Oversee benefits compliance processes, including plan audits, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 filings, 401k plan and distribution of required notices. Develop and deliver clear benefits communications to help employees and partners understand and maximize their benefits. Supervise and develop benefits team members to deliver high-quality service across all offices. Regularly analyze benefits utilization, costs, and employee feedback to recommend improvements. Oversee preparation of reports and applications required by law to be filed with federal and state agencies, such as Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, insurance commissioners, and other regulatory agencies. Verifies the calculation of the monthly/quarterly premiums for all benefit plans relative to premiums, claims, and costs. Works with Payroll and HRIS Administrator coordinating the Benefit deductions and reports. Provides back-up support for the 401(k)/Pension Administrator who is responsible for the firmwide operations of the Cash Balance and 401(k)/Profit Sharing plans. Work with the Pension & Benefits Committee, to track, review and understand changes to applicable federal and state regulations and legislation; schedule quarterly meetings, prepare agenda, distribute materials, prepare minutes and file materials. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, finance or a related field or equivalent experience leading a benefits team or function. 810+ years of progressively responsible benefits experience; law firm, professional services, or partnership environment strongly preferred. In-depth knowledge of applicable federal and state benefits laws, compliance requirements and regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA). Experience designing and administering benefits plans in a multi-office or multi-state environment. Proficient in Excel Strong project management, vendor management, and analytical skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to explain complex benefits topics to diverse employee populations. HRIS system conversion/implementation experience strongly preferred Certification such as CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) or similar credential preferred but not required SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred This job description is intended to describe the general requirements of this position. As such, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of job duties or responsibilities required in this job. Subject to firm needs, duties and responsibilities of this position may change at any time, on a temporary or permanent basis, and with or without notice. Reasonable accommodation requests may be accommodated, absent undue firm hardship. Working Conditions: Onsite in office work required. Normal law office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like. Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement: Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran's status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.