`Director of Benefits

Overview:

The Director of Benefits oversees the delivery of the daily transactional and operational management of benefit-related activities, leave of absences, 401(k) and worker’s compensation program while developing and implementing short- and long-term strategic benefits offerings that support ELM’s growth strategy. This role will report into the CHRO. The ideal candidate will have a diverse background in managing employee benefit programs, working with multiple vendors/brokers, and leveraging technology to drive efficiency, cost containment efforts and improve employee experience. Must be knowledgeable in ERISA, DOL, IRS federal and state regulations regarding employee benefits.

Responsibilities Include:

• Build a modern and progressive benefits strategy; define the benefits offerings and designs for the future, addressing the type and level of benefits that ELM should provide considering competitive standards, cost, liability, regulatory compliance and related.
• Partner with the leave of absence administrator and applicable stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive and efficient leave of absence and disability management.
• Resolves complex issues where analysis requires advanced analytical thought and judgment. Develops functional plans, including business, operational, and financial priorities that contribute to business strategy.
• Manage and interpret benefits experience and financial reporting, oversight of monthly financial dashboard reporting and budgeting trend analysis.
• Recommend benefit offerings to management by analyzing employee requirements, trends, and development of market costs and conditions.
• Oversee open enrollment annually for ELM locations and field employees.
• Collaborate with insurance providers and vendors to negotiate contracts and secure competitive benefit offerings.
• Communicate benefit programs to employees and provide guidance on enrollment processes.
• Handle benefit-related inquiries and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Identifies opportunities and efficiencies within existing systems and programs and makes strategic recommendations for continuous improvements related to the performance of the programs.
• Develops and implements benefit program strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall business strategy.
• Resolves complex issues where analysis requires advanced analytical thought and judgment. Develops functional plans, including business, operational, and financial priorities that contribute to business strategy
• Oversee the 401(k) program.
• Partner with 401(k) recordkeeper to ensure compliance.
• Partner with Investment Advisor to ensure investments are appropriate and meet the requirements of the Investment Policy statement.
• Ensure the 401 (k) plan is competitive and cost effective.
• Partner with annual audit team and conduct all regulatory filings i.e., 5500s, nondiscrimination testing, annual plan filings.
• Oversee worker’s compensation and return to work programs. Partner with Safety Team and operations teams to provide data, trends, and recommendations to create a safer workplace and environment.
• Work with Worker’s Compensation vendor and applicable individual states to ensure defined parameters of care are met; review reserves set for ELM.

Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of benefits experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent follow-up and communication skills.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to translate vision into action and an ability to handle multiple projects at once with competing priorities.
• Experience evaluating and implementing benefits offerings and solutions.
• Experience supporting distributed teams while working across different time zones and geographies.
• Ability to think strategically and to translate directives into tactical initiatives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking acumen with an ability to make timely, effective, ethics-based decisions.
• Managerial experience required
• Ability to effectively influence and gain buy in from key stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail
• Exceptional influencing, communication, and stakeholder with solid presentation skills.
• Strong working knowledge of workers compensation, benefits, 401(k) and wellness programs.
• Strong vendor management skills.