Director, Benefits

Caleres, Inc.; Clayton, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Caleres, Inc. in Clayton, Missouri seeks a senior leader to design, implement, and manage our health, welfare, and retirement programs.

You will partner with vendors, lead global benefits renewals, develop communications, and oversee budgeting, governance, and regulatory compliance to ensure competitive, cost-effective programs for our associates. This role requires 7+ years of leadership in employee benefits and a deep knowledge of plan design, with strong collaboration and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of leadership experience in employee benefits.
• Deep knowledge of benefit plan design.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute health, welfare, and retirement programs that support our culture, associates, and total rewards strategy.
• Manage the administration of our benefits programs in partnership with our vendors.
• Effectively manage and collaborate with vendors and external partners, including managing performance of contracts to ensure maximum value of services is delivered
• Evaluate and lead global benefits renewals.
• Create communications campaigns to align with program rollout or refresh to keep employees engaged in programs.
• Determine key performance indicators for our benefit programs and track baseline utilization to measure plan effectiveness.
• Manage the ongoing assessment and optimization of all global benefits strategies
• Manage the execution of annual open enrollment, including all related events, communications, and system configuration
• Assists in the development and monitoring of benefit plan budgets.
• Manage the preparation and submission of required government filings.
• Oversee the funding and accounting of the benefit plans.
• Provides analysis and interpretation of plan costs and trends.
• Stay abreast of latest industry trends, best in class methodologies, technologies and determine applicability to Caleres’ strategic direction.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organization

Discretion

Job description

8300 Maryland Ave, Clayton, MO 63105, USA

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 24, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Founded in 1878 , Caleres, originally known as Brown Shoe Company, is a global footwear company comprised of some of the world’s most loved brands including Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Naturalizer, Dr. Scholl's, and Allen Edmonds and many more . Caleres' legacy includes 145+ years of craftsmanship, a passion for fit with a mission to inspire people to feel great…feet first.

What We Do – Accountabilities

• Plans and directs the design, implementation, communication, and administration of the benefits programs in support of the Total Rewards philosophy and benefits strategies.
• Leads the development of new initiatives to establish competitive and cost-effective benefits programs.
• Ensures that programs comply with governmental regulations.

Essential Functions

• Design and execute health, welfare, and retirement programs that support our culture, associates, and total rewards strategy.
• Manage the administration of our benefits programs in partnership with our vendors.
• Effectively manage and collaborate with vendors and external partners, including managing performance of contracts to ensure maximum value of services is delivered
• Evaluate and lead global benefits renewals.
• Create communications campaigns to align with program rollout or refresh to keep employees engaged in programs.
• Determine key performance indicators for our benefit programs and track baseline utilization to measure plan effectiveness.
• Manage the ongoing assessment and optimization of all global benefits strategies
• Manage the execution of annual open enrollment, including all related events, communications, and system configuration
• Assists in the development and monitoring of benefit plan budgets.
• Manage the preparation and submission of required government filings.
• Oversee the funding and accounting of the benefit plans.
• Provides analysis and interpretation of plan costs and trends.
• Stay abreast of latest industry trends, best in class methodologies, technologies and determine applicability to Caleres’ strategic direction.

Preferred Qualifications & Education

• 7+ years of leadership experience in employee benefits.
• Deep knowledge of benefit plan design
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally

Physical Requirements and/or Environment

• Office/Cubicle

Caleres is an Equal Opportunity Employer by choice. We believe our company should be as diverse as the consumers we serve. We seek and engage talented individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, lifestyles, and belief systems.

Caleres is invested in our Associates. We regularly review our pay matrices and update appropriately based on need. Starting pay is determined by several factors, including relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. The actual pay will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to thejoblocation.

8300 Maryland Ave, Clayton, MO 63105, USA