Senior Director of Benefits (Hybrid) - Human Resources

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a Senior Director of Benefits to lead a 15-member team and shape the institution's benefits strategy across health, retirement, and leave programs.

You will partner with Finance, HR, Legal, Workday HRIS, and external vendors to ensure competitive, compliant, and cost-effective programs. The role blends strategic oversight with operational execution in a dynamic, healthcare and higher education environment, driving governance and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field.
• 10 years of experience with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity leading the development of a complex, integrated and strategic benefits program in a healthcare, or corporate environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evolution of the benefits strategy, governance framework, and market benchmarking.
• Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, leaves).
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and long-range cost projections; develop dashboards and KPIs for leadership insight.
• Oversee benefits communication and employee education to drive understanding and utilization.
• Mentor a team of 15 benefits professionals and ensure high-quality service and governance.
• Lead vendor evaluation, ensure SLAs, and maintain compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and related laws.
• Support governance via Retirement Plans Committee and Benefits Plans Appeal Committee; Secretary for Compensation and Benefits Committee.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Benefits

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Workday HRIS

Job description

Location

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63130

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Benefits is a strategic hands-on leadership role and a key member of the HR leadership team. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, this role leads a team of 15 and is responsible for shaping the future of benefits at WashU, a complex and growing healthcare and higher education organization.

This position ensures that benefits programs are competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals. The Senior Director serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and partners closely with Finance, HR Business Partners, Legal, Workday HRIS, and external vendors. The role combines strategic oversight with operational excellence across the design, governance, communication, compliance, and delivery of employee health and retirement benefits, leave programs, and the employee solutions center.

This is an opportunity for a strategic leader who enjoys balancing long-term vision with operational execution in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the development and ongoing evolution of the benefits strategy, philosophy, and governance framework aligned with broader Total Rewards objectives. Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on market trends, innovations, best practices, and cost management while maintaining flexibility where needed.
• Design, develop, implement, and oversee cost-effective benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, voluntary benefits, and leave of absence programs. Conduct benchmarking and market analysis to assess and ensure programs are competitive in the marketplace, support employee needs, and align with business objectives. Lead benefits-related projects from concept through implementation in partnership with university stakeholders and the benefits and Workday teams.
• Ensure financial stewardship including benefits budgets, forecasts, and long-range cost projections. Analyze claims experience, utilization trends, and cost drivers to improve program effectiveness and spending. Develop and evolve dashboards and KPIs that provide actionable insights to leaders.
• Lead benefits communication and education strategies that improve employee understanding, engagement, and utilization of benefits programs.
• Mentor and develop a team of 15 benefits professionals. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth. Ensure the team is equipped to deliver high-quality service and operational support. Ensure the employee benefits solutions center delivers high-quality, responsive, and service-oriented experience. Handle escalated benefit inquiries and employee issues with professionalism, equity, and care while promoting self-service tools and resources and leveraging AI.
• Lead vendor evaluation and selection for all benefits programs. Hold vendors accountable for performance targets, service level agreements, and timely issue resolution. Manage vendor payment processes and ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Responsible for the Retirement Plans Committee and Benefits Plans Appeal Committee, and serve as Secretary for the Compensation and Benefits Committee. Support governance processes and ensure effective documentation, coordination, and decision-making.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions

Normal office environment

Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations

Physical Effort

Typically sitting at desk or table

Ability to move to on and off-campus locations

Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement (typing)

Equipment

Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree
• Certifications /Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: Leadership (5 Years), Development Of A Complex, Integrated And Strategic Benefits Program In A Higher Education, Healthcare, Or Corporate Environment (10 Years)
• Skills: Not Applicable
• Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field.
• 10 years of experience with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity leading the development of a complex, integrated and strategic benefits program in a healthcare, or corporate environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree
• Certifications /Professional Licenses: Certified Benefi