Director, Benefits

Auburn; Auburn, Northern (AL, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Auburn University seeks a strategic leader to direct benefits, retirement, wellbeing, and leave programs across multiple states. This role shapes comprehensive benefits strategy, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides executive guidance to university leadership on employee benefits and related governance.

The position oversees vendor relations, plan administration, and analytics to support budgeting and organizational objectives, while guiding staff development and succession planning

Qualifications

• 7 years of experience implementing and administering employee benefits plans (including self funded health insurance and retirement plans) and complying with benefits-related laws/regulations.

Responsibilities

• Directs the administration, evaluation, design, implementation, and continuous improvement of employee health, welfare, retirement, leave, and wellbeing programs.
• Develops and executes a comprehensive benefits strategy that supports a diverse workforce operating across multiple states and jurisdictions while ensuring programs remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Serves as the University's senior benefits advisor and subject matter expert on employee benefits, retirement plans, leave administration, compliance requirements, and emerging industry trends.
• Oversees retirement programs and relationships with the Retirement Systems of Alabama, retirement plan vendors, and plan administrators.
• Ensures compliance, timely contributions, reporting accuracy, and participant support.
• Directs compliance and governance activities related to employee benefits, including ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, Section 125, retirement plans, unemployment, disability programs, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversees benefits communications, open enrollment, new employee orientation, educational initiatives, websites, training programs, and outreach efforts.
• Develops benefits analytics, utilization reporting, compliance monitoring, and strategic recommendations to support budget planning and organizational decision-making.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Human Resources, Health Administration, Management, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology or related field

Job description

Overview

This position provides strategic leadership and direction for Auburn University's employee benefits, retirement, wellbeing, and leave administration. Develops and implements comprehensive benefits strategies that support employee wellbeing, organizational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and the University's talent objectives.

Responsibilities

Directs the administration, evaluation, design, implementation, and continuous improvement of employee health, welfare, retirement, leave, and wellbeing programs. Develops and executes a comprehensive benefits strategy that supports a diverse workforce operating across multiple states and jurisdictions while ensuring programs remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with institutional priorities.

Serves as the University's senior benefits advisor and subject matter expert on employee benefits, retirement plans, leave administration, compliance requirements, and emerging industry trends. Provides consultation to university leadership and stakeholders.

Oversees retirement programs and relationships with the Retirement Systems of Alabama, retirement plan vendors, and plan administrators. Ensures compliance, timely contributions, reporting accuracy, and participant support.

Directs compliance and governance activities related to employee benefits, including ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, Section 125, retirement plans, unemployment, disability programs, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Oversees compliance strategies and operational requirements associated with administering benefits programs across multiple states and jurisdictions.

Serves as chair for benefits governance committees and oversees plan reviews, strategy development, and policy recommendations.

Oversees university leave programs including vacation, sick leave, FMLA, salary continuation, disability coordination, return-to-work programs, unemployment administration, and related services.

Leads vendor management, contract negotiations, procurement support, service-level monitoring, and performance evaluation for benefits, retirement, wellbeing, and related service providers.

Oversees benefits communications, open enrollment, new employee orientation, educational initiatives, websites, training programs, and outreach efforts.

Develops benefits analytics, utilization reporting, compliance monitoring, and strategic recommendations to support budget planning and organizational decision-making.

Provides leadership and direction to benefits staff through organizational planning, succession planning, employee development, and performance management activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Human Resources, Health Administration, Management, Business
  Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology or related field
• 7 years of experience in implementing and administering employee benefits plans (including self funded health insurance and retirement plans) and complying with benefits-related laws/regulations.

Contract Type

Continuing

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence:We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You:Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama:The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.

Posted Date

9/10/2026