Job description:

Director, Benefits & Payroll

The Director, Benefits & Payroll, provides leadership and oversight of the Companys employee benefits and payroll programs, setting the strategic vision for benefits design, payroll governance, and service delivery across the organization. This role is responsible for aligning benefits and payroll practices with business objectives, ensuring a high-quality total rewards infrastructure that supports talent attraction and retention.

As a senior member of the HR Total Rewards team, the Director oversees all aspects of benefits administration, including health and retirement programs, vendor management, and payroll operations. The role ensures accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.

The Director leads and develops a team of five employees and partners closely with Human Resources colleagues and business leaders to enhance the employee experience. This position reports to the SVP, Total Rewards and supports key initiatives led by the SVP, Total Rewards and the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Summary of Responsibilities:
Strategic Benefits Planning: Lead the design and administration of all Company benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and leave of absence (FMLA, PFL). Serve as a member of the Fiduciary Benefits Committee of the Company.

Payroll Operations & Strategy: Provide strategic oversight of enterprise-wide payroll operations, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely processing.

Compliance & Audit: Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations including tax requirements, wage/hour laws (FLSA), ACA, and HIPAA. Lead regular audits and reconciliations to maintain strong internal controls. System Optimization: Optimize the use of payroll and HRIS platforms (e.g., ADP, Oracle) to enhance operational efficiency. Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing benefits & payroll team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external brokers, insurance providers, and system vendors to manage services and invoices.

Functional Responsibilities:

Benefits

Design, implement and manage all health plans (self-funded and fully insured) and welfare plans and qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. Partner with the SVP, Total Rewards to set strategic direction for the benefit function and pursue high-level, long-term objectives.

Design, implement, and continuously improve end-to-end leave of absence administration, ensuring compliant execution
of programs including FMLA, ADA, state/local leave laws, and Company policies; manage pay status, benefit continuation,
and return-to-work processes, while maintaining accurate documentation, timely employee communications, and audit-
ready records

Manage and lead the three-person Benefits team with clear direction and feedback. Oversee and execute special benefits

Oversee all Benefits communications, evaluate effectiveness of communications, recommend, and implement projects, upgrades, and departmental goals. enhancements.

Administer benefits programs including but not limited to medical, dental, life and disability plans, 401(k) plan, reimbursement accounts, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and commuter program.

Counsel employees on benefit plan options, research and resolve issues, and communicate Company policies and procedures related to benefits to employees and managers to ensure consistent application.

Responsible for the Companys continued compliance with PPACA, ERISA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA and all federal, state, and
local laws governing benefit plans and programs.

Negotiate and contract with benefit plan brokers, vendors, auditors, and consultants and manage these relationships to
contain costs and ensure service standards are consistently met.

Maintain knowledge of benefit industry trends and prevailing practices among similar organizations.
Oversee the benefits program annual budget and manage the annual open enrollment process.
Collaborate regularly with key stakeholders including in-house & outside legal, finance, risk, accounting, and other HR

Support the Benefits Committee while working collaboratively with SVP, Total Rewards and third-party investment advisor.
professionals.
Payroll
Manage and lead the two-person Payroll team serving over 800 employees comprised of Union & Non-Union personnel.
Oversee payroll operations across weekly and biweekly payroll cycles, including review of payroll reports, validation of
benefit deductions, leave of absence impacts on pay/benefits and resolution of discrepancies in partnership with payroll
and HR teams.
Provide strategic oversight of payroll operations as they relate to benefits, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of employee
deductions and employer contributions.
Ensure proper administration of pre-tax and post-tax deductions, garnishments, and benefit-related adjustments.
Ensure payroll processes align with benefits plan rules, enrollment changes, and qualifying life events.
Lead payroll-related audits, reconciliations, and year-end activities (e.g., W-2 reporting)
Partner cross-functionally on efficient system integrations between HRIS, benefits platforms, and payroll systems.
Identify and drive process improvements to enhance payroll accuracy and efficiency.

Internal and External Contacts:
Reporting Structure:
Interfaces regularly with HR colleagues, Corporate & Regional teams, consultants, and vendors.
Interfaces regularly with all levels of employees within the Company.Reports to SVP, Total Rewards who provides supervision, guidance, and evaluates work performance.

Qualifications:

Requirements and Qualifications:

8+ years of benefits or related human resource experience required.
Extensive knowledge of benefits programs, policies, procedures, and applicable legislation.
Experience with payroll software such as ADP or similar systems.
Strong quantitative, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Bachelor's degree in human resource management, accounting, business administration, or closely related field.
Demonstrated leadership ability, confidence, and executive presence.
Ability to lead and mentor staff.
Ability to educate and influence decisions based on policies, processes, protocol, and market intelligence.

Experience in managing complex and multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

Proven ability to maintain discretion in confidential situations.
Experience working within an organizational structure with multiple locations/regions requiring exceptional relationship
building skills.

Strong influencing and negotiation skills with an ability to drive alignment across leaders and staff at all levels.

Why is This a Great Opportunity:

This is a great opportunity for a professional whose core competency is benefits and has a foundational experience in financial administration. The Company is a leader in their industry, well managed, committed to best practices and the latest technologies. The right person has the opportunity to be part of the succession planning in the Total Rewards function.

Salary Type : Annual Salary

Salary Min : $ 150000

Salary Max : $ 200000

Currency Type : USD