Director, Benefits & Retirement

AAA-The Auto Club Group•MI-Admin Office Building (AOB), MI

1d•$155,000 - $188,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director, Benefits & Retirement leads execution, administration, and ongoing effectiveness of health, welfare, and retirement programs supporting approximately 10,000 employees. Programs include self-insured health plans, pension, 401(k), and applicable deferred compensation programs. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Total Rewards, the Director provides subject matter expertise and input into benefits and retirement strategy and translates approved strategic direction into actionable roadmaps, annual initiatives, programs, and operational plans. The role requires deep expertise in plan design, administration, funding, regulatory compliance, financial analysis, and vendor management. The Director partners across the organization to ensure programs are competitive, financially sustainable, effectively administered, compliant, and aligned with organizational objectives. The position provides leadership and direction to a team of up to six employees. The position can work remotely from a home office for day-to-day operations, with travel to Dearborn, Michigan, or Tampa, Florida, as needed. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual salary range is $155,000–$188,000, with annual bonus potential based on performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Employee Benefits, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience overseeing health and welfare and retirement programs, including experience within a large, complex organization.
Experience with self-insured medical plans, including claims, utilization, plan costs, funding, and employer and employee contribution methodologies.
Experience with retirement programs, including 401(k) and defined benefit pension plans.
Experience interpreting and applying ERISA and other federal and state requirements governing benefits and retirement programs.
Experience managing benefits and retirement vendors, consultants, recordkeepers, and other service providers.
Experience leading complex benefits and retirement initiatives, implementations, plan changes, and vendor transitions.
At least 5 years of progressive people leadership or management experience.
Experience using Workday Benefits and related HR technology platforms for benefits and retirement administration, business process design, vendor integrations, reporting, testing, and operational improvements.
Advanced knowledge of health and welfare plan design, administration, funding, and financial management, including self-insured medical plans.
Advanced knowledge of retirement programs, including defined benefit pension, 401(k), and deferred compensation plans.
Advanced knowledge of ERISA and applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing health, welfare, and retirement programs, including ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and Internal Revenue Code requirements.
Advanced knowledge of benefits and retirement financial analysis, including claims and utilization trends, funding, employer and employee contributions, budgeting, forecasting, and program measurement.
Advanced knowledge of benefits and retirement plan governance, administration, vendor management, and compliance requirements.
Advanced knowledge of benefits and retirement market practices and emerging trends affecting program design, cost, compliance, and employee experience.
Working knowledge of Workday Benefits functionality, business processes, integrations, reporting, and benefits and retirement administration practices.
Ability to translate established strategy into actionable plans and measurable outcomes while providing input into future direction.
Ability to build team capability through clear expectations, coaching, development, and accountability.
Ability to build partnerships and influence stakeholders through expertise, judgment, and data.
Ability to evaluate complex business, financial, operational, and regulatory factors to make sound decisions and recommendations.
Ability to apply technical expertise to complex health, welfare, and retirement program needs and translate complex financial data into insights and recommendations.
Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into compliant programs, policies, and practices.
Ability to lead complex initiatives and drive accountability for vendor performance, service, compliance, and outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline.
Experience supporting a large, geographically dispersed and/or multi-state employee population.
Experience with deferred compensation programs.
Professional certification or designation in benefits, retirement, or human resources, such as CEBS, GBA, RPA, CBP, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR.

Responsibilities

Lead execution of the established benefits and retirement strategy and roadmap, translating strategic priorities into annual initiatives, implementation plans, and measurable outcomes.
Provide subject matter expertise, analysis, and recommendations to Total Rewards leadership on program design, emerging trends, employee needs, financial considerations, regulatory requirements, risks, and opportunities.
Evaluate program effectiveness and competitiveness and recommend enhancements supporting organizational objectives, employee experience, financial sustainability, and market competitiveness.
Lead administration and ongoing management of health, welfare, and retirement programs, including self-insured medical and prescription drug plans, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA, FSA, defined benefit pension, 401(k), and applicable deferred compensation programs.
Lead annual benefits and retirement activities, including plan changes, annual enrollment, implementations, vendor transitions, employee communications, regulatory activities, and other key program initiatives.
Oversee benefits-related policies and practices, including applicable paid time-off programs, ensuring effective administration and compliance with federal and state requirements.
Provide business leadership and subject matter expertise for Workday Benefits and Retirement administration, partnering with HR Systems, Payroll, and vendors on configuration, process improvements, data integrity, reporting, integrations, testing, and system enhancements.
Analyze program performance, including claims experience, utilization, participation, cost trends, funding requirements, and employee and employer contributions, and develop recommendations for decision-making.
Partner with Finance, consultants, actuaries, and other stakeholders on budgeting, forecasting, financial projections, plan funding, contribution modeling, and evaluation of program changes.
Ensure programs comply with applicable federal and state requirements, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Internal Revenue Code requirements, and other applicable regulations; assess regulatory developments and lead required changes.
Establish and monitor program measures to identify financial, operational, compliance, and employee experience trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
Oversee benefits and retirement vendors, consultants, recordkeepers, administrators, and other external partners, including performance, service levels, contracts, renewals, implementations, and issue resolution.
Partner with Total Rewards, HR, Finance, Legal, Payroll, HR Systems, Communications, and other functions on implementation, administration, governance, and delivery of programs.
Communicate complex program, financial, and regulatory information and recommendations to leaders and key stakeholders as a senior subject matter expert.
Lead and direct a team of up to six employees; establish team priorities and deliverables, manage performance, coach employees, support development, allocate work, and promote accountability, cross-training, documentation, and continuity of critical processes.

Benefits

Medical plans with multiple coverage options, including HSA eligibility.
Prescription drug coverage.
Dental and vision benefits.
Employee Assistance Program.
Company-paid basic life insurance and optional supplemental life insurance and dependent coverage.
Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Critical illness, accident, and pet insurance options.
401(k) plan with automatic deferral, employee contributions, company match, and an additional company contribution, subject to the stated eligibility and vesting terms.
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
Accrual-based paid time off, subject to eligibility and applicable terms.
Company-paid holidays, mental health day, floating holidays, and volunteer day for eligible employees.
Paid leave programs, including parental, bereavement, jury duty, and military leave.
Tuition assistance.
Professional certification support with 100% reimbursement for eligible programs.
Career development and advancement opportunities.
Complimentary AAA membership with roadside assistance and travel discounts.
Adoption assistance program.
Annual bonus potential based on performance.