Director of Benefits & Retirement

DNA Partners; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

DNA Partners in New York is seeking a senior benefits leader to own and transform the firm’s employee benefits, retirement plans, and risk management programs.

You will partner with executive leadership, serve as SME on ERISA-based benefits, governance, and vendor management, and lead a high-impact team to drive operational excellence and regulatory compliance across the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressive employee benefits leadership experience.
• Deep expertise in retirement plan administration, governance, compliance, audits, and participant services.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and related benefits regulations.
• CEBS/SPHR certification and insurance management experience are highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead health and welfare benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, and leave administration.
• Oversee administration and governance of 401(k), profit sharing, and cash balance retirement plans, including audits, compliance testing, Form 5500 filings, and fiduciary committee support.
• Manage property & casualty insurance programs, renewals, claims, broker relationships, and risk management initiatives.
• Advise firm leadership and partners on benefits strategy, compliance, insurance, financial impact, and emerging regulatory developments.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, reconciliations, reporting, and vendor performance management while improving processes and controls.
• Lead, develop, and mentor team members while remaining actively involved in day-to-day operations, escalations, audits, filings, and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Benefits leadership

Vendor management

Regulatory compliance

Executive communication

Team leadership

ERISA knowledge

Plan administration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Join one of New York's premier law firms as a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for benefits, retirement, and risk management programs across the firm.

This high-impact role partners directly with executive leadership and serves as the firm's subject matter expert on employee benefits, retirement plans, insurance coverage, compliance, governance, and vendor management.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the firm's health and welfare benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, and leave administration.
• Oversee administration and governance of 401(k), profit sharing, and cash balance retirement plans, including audits, compliance testing, Form 5500 filings, and fiduciary committee support.
• Manage property & casualty insurance programs, renewals, claims, broker relationships, and risk management initiatives.
• Advise firm leadership and partners on benefits strategy, compliance, insurance, financial impact, and emerging regulatory developments.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, reconciliations, reporting, and vendor performance management while improving processes and controls.
• Lead, develop, and mentor team members while remaining actively involved in day-to-day operations, escalations, audits, filings, and strategic initiatives.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressive employee benefits leadership experience.
• Deep expertise in retirement plan administration, governance, compliance, audits, and participant services.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and related benefits regulations.
• Proven success managing brokers, carriers, actuaries, auditors, recordkeepers, and external service providers.
• Executive presence, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to move seamlessly between strategy and execution.
• Law firm or professional services experience, CEBS/SPHR certification, and insurance management experience are highly valued.

Ready for Your Next Leadership Opportunity?

If you're a senior benefits professional who thrives in a highly visible role and enjoys partnering with executive leadership while driving operational excellence, we'd love to connect.