Director, Health and Welfare Benefits

PEPL; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

PEPL is seeking a Director of Health and Welfare Benefits to overseeNorth America health and welfare programs. Based in Atlanta, the candidate will lead design, implementation and ongoing management for a global organization.

The role requires 10+ years in benefits design with at least 5 years in leadership, strong analytical and project management skills, and expertise in compliance, ERISA and vendor negotiations. Some remote work flexibility is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years designing and managing health and welfare benefits.
• At least 5 years in a leadership role.
• CEBS certification preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
• Experience with due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, ERISA compliance.
• Experience with Workday and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Leads delivery of comprehensive health and welfare benefit plans and programs.
• Oversees RFPs, vendor selection, and plan audits with consultants and stakeholders.
• Leads annual benefits enrollment and vendor changes.
• Guides compliance, eligibility, administration, and employee issues.
• Ensures plans comply with ERISA and related regulations.
• Monitors industry trends, market practices, and regulatory developments.
• Develops HR communications on benefit programs across channels.
• Manages plan financial performance and analyzes utilization and costs.
• Establishes vendor SLAs and drives continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with finance, legal, payroll and procurement on governance.
• Supports benefit strategy during mergers and acquisitions.

Skills

Analytical

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CEBS certification preferred

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

Job description

PEPL has been engaged to place a Director, Health and Welfare Benefits for a global organization headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The Director, Health and Welfare Benefits is responsible for planning, development, implementation and ongoing management of comprehensive health and welfare benefit programs in North America. Researches industry trends and market practices, oversees plan performance and financial effectiveness, and manages key vendor and third-party relationships. Ensures programs support the organization’s strategic objectives, remain competitive and cost-effective, deliver a positive employee experience, and are consistently administered in compliance with company policies, internal controls and applicable laws and regulations.

Responsibilities:

The following are the primary responsibilities for this position, with a focus on health and welfare plans in North America. The position may perform other duties as assigned by management.

• Leads the delivery and execution of high-quality, comprehensive health and welfare benefit plans and programs.


• Responsible for requests for proposal, vendor selection, and plan audit projects, including evaluation, service and fee negotiations, and implementation in partnership with external consultants and internal stakeholders.


• Leads the annual benefits enrollment process, including new plans, programs and vendor changes.


• Provides guidance on escalated compliance, eligibility, administration, and employee service issues in partnership with the Employee Service Center management team.


• Ensures health and welfare plans comply with applicable federal, state, local and provincial laws and regulations, and that appropriate processes, controls and documentation are in place to support ongoing compliance.


• Monitors industry trends, market practices and regulatory developments to assess competitiveness, identify opportunities, and recommend changes.


• Develops and trains HR community and business leaders on benefit programs and initiatives.


• Leads the development of clear, effective employee communications related to benefit plans across print and digital channels.


• Manages plan financial performance and analyzes utilization, cost trends and vendor results to identify risks and opportunities.


• Establishes and monitors vendor performance standards, service-level agreements, and key performance indicators; drives accountability and continuous improvement.


• Partners with finance, legal, HR business partners, payroll, procurement, and communications to support effective governance and execution of benefit initiatives.


• Supports benefit strategy and integration activities related to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other business transitions.

Experience, Education, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.


• Minimum of 10 years of broad-based, progressive experience designing and managing health and welfare benefits, including at least five years in a leadership role.


• Demonstrated track record of innovating and evolving benefit plan design and administration to meet business and workforce needs and support attraction and retention of talent.


• Experience evaluating plan performance and using data to support strategic recommendations.


• Professional benefits certification, such as CEBS, is preferred.


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and translate data into actionable recommendations.


• Demonstrated ability to build and manage productive vendor, consultant, and cross-functional stakeholder relationships.


• Experience with due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, ERISA and other applicable health and welfare benefit regulations.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex benefit topics clearly to varied audiences.


• Proficiency with Workday, Microsoft Office and other benefits administration and reporting tools.


• Work is performed in a typical office environment, with some work-from-home flexibility.