Director of Benefits

DCH Health System; Tuscaloosa (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

DCH Health System is seeking a Benefits Director to lead the design, evaluation, and administration of our group benefits programs including health, dental, vision, disability, and retirement plans. You will oversee plan selection, vendor negotiations, and data transfers while ensuring compliant, cost-efficient benefits for employees across the system.

Reporting to senior HR leadership, you will manage a team, develop budgets, monitor plan performance, and stay current with regulatory changes

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of related benefits administration experience.
• Bachelor's degree in HR management or related field.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP and CEBS designations preferred.
• Knowledge of benefits contract language and federal/state regulations (ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, 125, workers' compensation).
• Ability to evaluate proposals and vendor bids.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, HRIS, and benefits databases.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Research employee benefits plans and vendors to identify best value.
• Design, recommend and implement new benefits programs; examine plan designs and cost changes.
• Negotiate with vendors/administrators for best plans, options and rates.
• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate data transfers to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
• Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Audit the accuracy and performance of benefits staff.
• Analyze benefits trends and develop recommendations for management.

Skills

Vendor negotiation

Budget management

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR management or related

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP and CEBS preferred

Tools

HRIS

Benefits databases

PowerPoint

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Overview

The benefits Director is responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, worker's compensation, life insurance, travel and accident plan, flexible spending plan, retirement plans, etc.). This position provides excellent customer service and designs quality benefits plans. The director continually investigates new benefits programs, improves existing programs, and supervises and monitors benefits administration.

Responsibilities

• Research employee benefits plans and vendors to identify those that present the best value.
• Design, recommend and implement new benefits programs. Examine possible plan designs and benefits cost changes.
• Negotiate with vendors and administrators for best plans, options and rates.
• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
• Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, pension/403b, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans.
• Allocate group health and dental claims monthly and review quarterly.
• Audit the accuracy and performance of functions performed by benefits staff.
• Analyze current benefits, evaluating the use, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience and competitive trends in benefits programs, and identify the company's stance.
• Perform plan audits. Prepare, collect and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review data in conjunction with actuarial evaluation task forces.
• Review both short- and long-range cost estimates/projections and relevant statistical analyses regarding modifications in benefits programs and implementation of new programs.
• Survey industry trends. Complete benefits surveys and review information obtained from the results. Analyze complex benefits information. Forecast trends and assist with future benefits designs. Develop specific recommendations for review by management.
• Monitor administrative costs of benefits programs and recommend cost containment strategies, including alternative methods for administration and funding. Prepare budgetary recommendations and assist in the monitoring, verifying and reconciling of budgeted funds.

Manager Standards

• Manages departmental budget.
• Interviews, selects, hires, and retains employees.
• Ensures orientation and training for employees.
• Manages performance.
• Promotes, demotes, or transfers employees to meet organizational needs.
• Executes employee accountability process up to and including termination.
• Manages departmental productivity standards.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Approves payroll and is responsible for accurate payment of employees.
• Manages front line operations of area of accountability related to meeting/exceeding departmental goals, 5 keys of excellence, DCH Mission and Vision.

DCH Standards

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Three (3) to five (5) years of related benefits or employee benefits administration experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in human resource management or related required..
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP and CEBS professional designations preferred.
• Knowledge of benefits contract language.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs, including the ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, workers' compensation, Medicare, OBRA, and Social Security and DOL requirements.
• Ability to understand, evaluate and make judgment on proposals (RFPs).
• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PowerPoint; experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Project and team management/leadership skills and experience.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates.
• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs.
• Excellent communication and organization skill.

Working Conditions

Light work – exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly.

Physical presence onsite is essential. Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position will involve contact with others, public speaking, dealing with external and internal customers, occasionally dealing with unpleasant or angry people, having face-to-face discussions, analyzing data and information, having the ability to work independently or in a team environment, preparing written letters and memos, critical thinking and using good judgment in decision making. Must be able to organize and prioritize work and be responsible for outcomes and results.