Director, Benefits

Chamber of Commerce; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is seeking an experienced Director of Benefits to design, implement, and administer our employee benefits programs.

You will lead health, welfare, retirement, and wellness plans, ensuring compliance with ERISA and related laws while aligning with our strategic HR goals. Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, you will manage enrollments, budgets, vendor relationships, and data integrity with HRIS systems, driving cost-effective, competitive benefits for a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business administration or related field required.
• 8–10 years of progressive benefits administration and design experience.
• Experience in association, nonprofit, or corporate environments desirable.
• CEBS, CBP, or SHRM-CP/SCP certifications strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA regulations.
• Proven vendor management and contract negotiation experience.
• Strong analytical, data interpretation, and budgeting capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to explain benefits clearly.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design, evaluation, and administration of health, welfare, retirement, and wellness programs.
• Liaise with brokers, carriers, and third-party admins to negotiate renewals and resolve issues.
• Project-manage annual Open Enrollment including systems config and communications.
• Benchmark benefits against nonprofit/association sector trends.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA; oversee 5500s and audits.
• Oversee leave of absence administration (FMLA, disability, parental leave).
• Develop wellness initiatives to improve employee well-being and control costs.
• Manage benefits budget, track expenditures, and reconcile vendor invoices.
• Provide confidential benefits guidance to employees; collaborate with HRIS team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Vendor management

Communication skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business Administration

Master's degree preferred

CEBS certification

CBP or SHRM-CP/SCP certification

Tools

Workday

ADP

UKG

Excel

Job description

About Us:

If you are passionate about the ability of American business to improve lives, solve problems, and strengthen society, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the place for you. As the world's largest business organization, we believe in building a future that gives everyone the opportunity to pursue a better tomorrow. We make it our job today–and every day–to build the strongest relationships possible among the American people, business leaders, and elected officials in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and countries around the globe. For them and the businesses we represent, the U.S. Chamber is a trusted advocate and partner.

We are driven by the pursuit of innovation and partnership and hold ourselves to the highest standards. Our commitment to our members is matched only by our commitment to our employees. As part of our team, we will support your long-term career development while delivering relevant learning opportunities. We will empower you to lead, develop deep expertise, and find new approaches to solving the toughest challenges.

Position Overview:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is seeking an experienced, strategic, and highly detailed Director of Benefits to oversee the design, implementation, and administration of our employee benefits programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, this role is critical in ensuring the Chamber offers a competitive, comprehensive, and cost-effective benefits package that attracts and retains top talent. The Director will manage all aspects of health, welfare, retirement, and wellness plans while ensuring full compliance with state and federal regulations.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the strategic evaluation, design, and administration of all employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), and flexible spending accounts.


• Serve as the primary liaison with benefits brokers, underlying carriers, and third-party administrators to negotiate renewals, evaluate performance, and resolve complex issues.


• Project manage the annual Open Enrollment process, including systems configuration, communications drafting, and leading presentation sessions for employees.


• Monitor trend analysis and benchmarking data to analyze the competitiveness of the Chamber’s benefits programs in the non-profit/association sector.


• Ensure total compliance with all applicable government regulations (ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, etc.) and oversee required filings (e.g., 5500s, ACA reporting) and audits.


• Oversee leave of absence administration (FMLA, short-term/long-term disability, paid parental leave, and state-mandated leave programs).


• Develop and implement comprehensive wellness initiatives designed to improve employee well-being and manage overall healthcare costs.


• Manage the benefits budget, including forecasting, tracking expenditures, and reconciling monthly vendor invoices.


• Provide high-level, confidential support and counseling to employees regarding their benefits, life events, and leave queries.


• Collaborate with the HRIS team to ensure accurate data flow between the payroll system and benefits vendors.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; master's degree preferred.


• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in benefits administration and design; experience within an association, non-profit, or corporate environment is highly desirable.


• CEBS, CBP, or SHRM-CP/SCP certification strongly preferred.


• Expert knowledge of federal and state laws governing health, welfare, and retirement plans (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, SECURE Act).


• Proven track record of effectively managing vendor relationships and negotiating contracts.


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, financial metrics, and plan utilization reports.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain complex benefit concepts to all levels of the organization in a clear, concise manner.


• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.


• Proficiency with modern HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., Workday, ADP, or UKG) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

The salary range for this position is $133,500.00 to $150,000.00. The actual salary paid for this position will vary based on market data, an applicant’s qualifications, relevant degrees, certifications, and other factors. Our full-time employees are eligible for benefits, including health care, vision, dental, retirement, and paid leave.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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