Director, Benefits & Retirement Programs

0090 Presbyterian System Services; United States; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical insurance

Dental & Vision

FSAs

PTO

Education opportunities

Life insurance

Disability programs

Job summary

Presbyterian Healthcare Services is seeking a strategic and analytical Director of Benefits & Retirement Programs to design and run a comprehensive benefits strategy for a diverse workforce across clinical, operational, and corporate functions.

The role oversees leave administration, health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, and wellness initiatives, ensuring compliance, financial stewardship, and a positive employee experience across the system.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration and retirement programs.
• Experience managing vendor relationships with consultants and insurance carriers.
• Healthcare industry experience preferred.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide benefits strategies within a large, complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Design, administer, and enhance a comprehensive benefits strategy.
• Oversee medical, dental, vision, retirement, leave and income protection programs.
• Lead vendor negotiations and contract administration.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and financial stewardship.
• Provide executive-level reporting and strategic recommendations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Analytical

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Healthcare Administration, or related field

MBA or related discipline (preferred)

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

Location Address: 9521 San Mateo NE Albuquerque, NM 87113-2237

Summary: Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS) seeks a strategic, analytical, and service-oriented leader to serve as its next Director, Benefits & Retirement Programs. This enterprise leadership role is responsible for designing, administering, and continuously enhancing a comprehensive benefits strategy that supports Presbyterian's ability to attract, retain, and engage a highly diverse workforce across clinical, operational, and corporate functions. Provides executive oversight for enterprise leave administration programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, disability management, and return-to-work processes. As healthcare organizations face increasing workforce competition, rising healthcare costs, evolving regulatory requirements, and changing employee expectations, Presbyterian is seeking a leader who can balance strategic planning with operational excellence. The Director will oversee health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, leave and income protection programs, wellness initiatives, and family support benefits while ensuring compliance, financial stewardship, and a positive employee experience. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to Human Resources leadership and executive stakeholders, leveraging market intelligence, workforce analytics, vendor partnerships, and benefits innovation to deliver competitive and sustainable programs that support Presbyterian's mission and workforce goals.

Work Arrangement

Remote: Open to applicants in the United States, excluding IL, ND, NY, WA, and WY. Hybrid (Strongly Preferred): For individuals within 60 miles of Albuquerque, in-office presence is required Tuesday through Thursday.

Benefits Strategy & Program Design

Develop and execute a comprehensive benefits strategy that supports workforce attraction, retention, engagement, and well-being.

Evaluate market trends, workforce demographics, and organizational needs to recommend enhancements to benefits programs.

Lead design and administration of:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Wellness programs
• Retirement and pension programs
• Paid time off programs
• Leave benefits
• Income protection programs
• Family support and work-life programs

Ensure benefit offerings remain competitive within healthcare and broader labor markets.

Retirement & Pension Administration

Provide oversight for retirement, pension, and deferred compensation programs.

Partner with actuaries and consultants to ensure accurate pension liability calculations and funding requirements.

Support pension audits and actuarial valuations.

Monitor retirement plan performance and regulatory compliance.

Recommend plan enhancements that support workforce and organizational objectives.

Vendor Management & Contract Administration

Lead negotiations and ongoing management of benefit vendors, carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators. Ensure service agreements achieve quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness objectives. Monitor vendor performance and hold vendors accountable to established service levels. Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and improved employee experience.

Financial Stewardship & Cost Management

Analyze benefit utilization, participation, claims activity, and market trends. Develop recommendations regarding plan design, funding strategies, and employer/employee cost-sharing models. Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources while maintaining competitive benefit offerings. Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities associated with benefits programs.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and regulatory requirements governing employee benefit plans.

Oversee preparation and filing of:

• ERISA plan documentation
• Form 5500 filings
• Summary Plan Descriptions
• Summary Annual Reports
• Retirement plan compliance documentation
• Required Board actions and amendments
• Ensure compliance testing and audits are completed accurately and timely.
• Maintain readiness for regulatory reviews and audits.

Employee Communication & Experience

Develop communication strategies that increase employee understanding and appreciation of benefits offerings. Create effective benefit education programs, materials, enrollment communications, and retirement planning resources. Oversee employee benefit statements, informational sessions, and financial wellness programs. Enhance the employee experience through clear communication and responsive support services.

Technology & Process Improvement

Lead continuous improvement of benefits administration systems, processes, and workflows. Identify opportunities to improve automation, reporting, and operational efficiency. Partner with HRIS, Payroll, and Technology teams to optimize benefits administration platforms. Utilize data and analytics to improve decision-making and service delivery.

Leadership & Talent Development

Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing benefits team. Establish performance standards and accountability measures. Foster a culture of customer service, continuous improvement, and innovation. Build organizational capability and succession plans within the benefits function.

Human Resources Leadership Support

Serve as a strategic advisor to the Vice President of Human Resources regarding benefits strategy and workforce trends. Support broader human capital initiatives and organizational objectives. Participate in enterprise planning activities and HR leadership initiatives. Provide executive-level reporting and strategic recommendations.

Leave Administration

Oversee FMLA, ADA, STD, LTD, leave administration, and return-to-work programs. Partner with Employee Health, Payroll, HR, Legal, and operational leaders on leave-related matters. Manage third-party leave and disability vendors. Ensure regulatory compliance and a positive employee experience.

Additional Job Description

Education Required: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Healthcare Administration, or related field.

Preferred: Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Human Resources, Finance, Healthcare Administration, or related discipline.

Experience Required: 8+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, retirement programs, total rewards, or related Human Resources functions. Demonstrated expertise in health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, and regulatory compliance. Experience managing vendor relationships, benefits consultants, and insurance carriers. Experience analyzing benefits cost trends, plan utilization, and financial performance. Experience leading teams and developing HR professionals.

Preferred: Healthcare industry experience. Experience managing pension plans and actuarial relationships. Experience with self-funded health plans. Experience leading enterprise-wide benefits strategies within a large, complex organization.

Benefits

Benefits are effective day-one (for .45 FTE and above) and include:

• Competitive salaries
• Full medical, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Free wellness programs
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Retirement plans, including matching employer contributions
• Continuing education and career development opportunities
• Life insurance and short/long term disability programs

About Us

Presbyterian Healthcare Services is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, it is the state's largest private employer with approximately 11,000 employees. Presbyterian's story is really the story of the remarkable people who have chosen to work here. Starting with Reverend Cooper who began our journey in 1908, the hard work of thousands of physicians, employees, board members, and volunteers brought Presbyterian from a tiny tuberculosis sanatorium to a statewide healthcare system, serving more than 700,000 New Mexicans.

We are part of New Mexico's history - and committed to its future. That is why we will continue to work just as hard and care just as deeply to serve New Mexico for years to come.

About New Mexico

New Mexico's unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Native American influences contribute to a culturally rich lifestyle. Add in Albuquerque's International Balloon Fiesta, Los Alamos' nuclear scientists, Roswell's visitors from outer space, and Santa Fe's artists, and you get an eclectic mix of people, places and experiences that make this state great.

Cities in New Mexico are continually ranked among the nation's best places to work and live by Forbes magazine, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, and other corporate and government relocation managers like Worldwide ERC.

New Mexico offers endless recreational opportunities to explore, and enjoy an active lifestyle. Venture off the beaten path, challenge your body in the elements, or open yourself up to the expansive sky. From hiking, golfing and biking to skiing, snowboarding and boating, it's all available among our beautiful wonders of the west.

AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED.

PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.

Here, we’re committed to a different way to make a difference.