Well-Being & Benefits Lead

Elliott Scott - HR search & recruitment; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Elliott Scott HR Recruitment Ltd. in New York is seeking a strategic Well-Being & Benefits Lead to oversee the design, governance, and continuous enhancement of employee well-being and benefits programs across the New York region.

This senior individual contributor will partner with HR, Finance, brokers, and HRIS teams to keep offerings competitive, compliant, and aligned with priorities, while guiding renewals and vendor relationships.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including a minimum of 3 years focused on employee benefits administration.
• Strong expertise in employee benefits design, administration, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with benefits vendors, carriers, brokers, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for regional well-being and benefits programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and employee needs.
• Lead the evaluation, design, and enhancement of benefit plans, making recommendations based on market trends, utilization data, and business priorities.
• Drive the successful execution of large-scale benefits initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on benefits strategy, plan design, and industry best practices.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex benefits issues, including coverage concerns, billing discrepancies, service challenges, and vendor performance matters.
• Manage strategic relationships with carriers, brokers, vendors, and third-party administrators to ensure service excellence and contractual compliance.
• Oversee vendor performance reviews, benchmarking activities, renewal negotiations, and contract management processes.
• Provide expert guidance on benefit administration matters and support the resolution of complex employee inquiries.
• Lead annual benefits renewal processes, including planning, carrier evaluations, broker consultations, market assessments, and implementation timelines.
• Partner with HRIS and People Systems teams to support benefits configuration, carrier file integrations, testing, and system readiness.
• Ensure effective governance and oversight of benefits programs, policies, and operational processes.
• Identify opportunities to streamline administration and improve the employee experience.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication

Independence / autonomy

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

HRIS platforms

Job description

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Well-Being & Benefits Lead to oversee the design, governance, and continuous enhancement of employee well-being and benefits programs across the region. This senior individual contributor role serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, partnering closely with HR, Finance, external vendors, brokers, and HRIS teams to ensure benefit offerings remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational priorities. This is an excellent opportunity for a benefits professional who thrives in a highly collaborative environment and enjoys balancing strategic program leadership with complex operational oversight.

What You'll Do

Benefits Strategy & Program Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for regional well-being and benefits programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and employee needs.
• Lead the evaluation, design, and enhancement of benefit plans, making recommendations based on market trends, utilization data, and business priorities.
• Drive the successful execution of large-scale benefits initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on benefits strategy, plan design, and industry best practices.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex benefits issues, including coverage concerns, billing discrepancies, service challenges, and vendor performance matters.
• Manage strategic relationships with carriers, brokers, vendors, and third-party administrators to ensure service excellence and contractual compliance.
• Oversee vendor performance reviews, benchmarking activities, renewal negotiations, and contract management processes.
• Provide expert guidance on benefit administration matters and support the resolution of complex employee inquiries.
• Lead annual benefits renewal processes, including planning, carrier evaluations, broker consultations, market assessments, and implementation timelines.
• Partner with HRIS and People Systems teams to support benefits configuration, carrier file integrations, testing, and system readiness.
• Ensure effective governance and oversight of benefits programs, policies, and operational processes.
• Identify opportunities to streamline administration and improve the employee experience.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Support benefits compliance initiatives, including COBRA administration, PPACA reporting, ERISA requirements, governmental filings, and other applicable regulations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting employee benefits programs.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external advisors to mitigate risks and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Maintain accurate documentation, policies, procedures, and audit-ready records.

Data Analysis & Stakeholder Partnership

• Analyze benefits data, program performance metrics, and market trends to identify risks, opportunities, and recommendations for leadership.
• Develop presentations, reports, and executive-level updates to support decision-making and strategic planning.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, leadership teams, brokers, and vendors to align benefits programs with organizational goals.
• Influence decision-making through insights, business recommendations, and stakeholder engagement.

Process Improvement & Employee Communications

• Develop, maintain, and optimize benefits processes, standard operating procedures, job aids, and internal documentation.
• Coordinate updates to employee-facing materials, including benefits guides, FAQs, intranet content, and enrollment communications.
• Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.
• Mentor and support team members on complex benefits matters and escalations.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including a minimum of 3 years focused on employee benefits administration.
• Strong expertise in employee benefits design, administration, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with benefits vendors, carriers, brokers, and external partners.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience evaluating vendors, negotiating services, and benchmarking benefits programs.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, large-scale renewals, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent analytical skills with experience using data to support recommendations and strategic decisions.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders and external partners.
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and sound judgment when handling sensitive or escalated matters.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise high levels of autonomy, and balance strategic priorities with operational execution.
• Bachelor's degree required; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting regional or global employee benefits programs.
• Working knowledge of COBRA, PPACA, ERISA, and related regulatory requirements.
• Experience partnering with HRIS platforms and benefits administration technologies.
• Background within professional services, legal, consulting, financial services, or other complex corporate environments.
• Experience leading benefits renewals, carrier implementations, and vendor transitions.

Compensation: USD120,000 - 140,000 per annum

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