Benefits Director

H.W. Kaufman Group • Farmington Hills, MI

1d

About The Position

The Director of Benefits is responsible for overseeing the strategy, development and administration of employee benefits programs, including group health, life, disability, voluntary and 401K benefits. This role ensures competitive plan design, compliance with regulatory requirements, carrier relationship management and the delivery of exceptional client service. In addition to leading a cross-functional team, the Director will actively support complex benefits issues, partner closely with internal stakeholders and help execute a benefit process that drive growth, retention and operational excellence in the benefits department.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field (MBA preferred)
• 7+ years of experience in employee benefits, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal laws involving employment, HR and benefits administration
• Deep knowledge of group benefits products, markets and compliance issues
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and recommend strategic solutions
• Strong negotiation, communication, and strategic planning skills
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy

Nice To Haves

• Benefits or HR certifications preferred
• MBA preferred

Responsibilities

• Evaluate opportunities to grow and enhance the employee benefits function
• Oversee benefit program design, pricing, underwriting and carrier negotiations
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, HIPAA)
• Lead, mentor and manage benefits staff, fostering a culture of service excellence and continuous improvement
• Maintain strong relationships with brokers, clients, carriers, and strategic partners
• Analyze market trends to inform product development and competitive positioning
• Monitor department performance and provide executive reporting on key metrics
• Coordinate with HRBPs and senior leaders to enhance benefits and drive retention strategies
• Serve as a hands-on subject matter expert for complex benefits questions, escalations and issue resolution
• Oversee and participate in annual open enrollment activities

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Employer paid continuing education courses and designations via access to Kaufman Institute
• Health and welfare benefits including medical, vision and dental
• 401K with employer match
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Access to Kaufman Wellness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees