Director, Benefits

Auburn University•Auburn, AL

12h

About The Position

This position provides strategic leadership and direction for Auburn University's employee benefits, retirement, wellbeing, and leave administration. Develops and implements comprehensive benefits strategies that support employee wellbeing, organizational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and the University's talent objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Human Resources, Health Administration, Management, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology or related field
7 years of experience in implementing and administering employee benefits plans (including self funded health insurance and retirement plans) and complying with benefits-related laws/regulations.

Responsibilities

Directs the administration, evaluation, design, implementation, and continuous improvement of employee health, welfare, retirement, leave, and wellbeing programs.
Develops and executes a comprehensive benefits strategy that supports a diverse workforce operating across multiple states and jurisdictions while ensuring programs remain competitive, compliant, and aligned with institutional priorities.
Serves as the University's senior benefits advisor and subject matter expert on employee benefits, retirement plans, leave administration, compliance requirements, and emerging industry trends.
Provides consultation to university leadership and stakeholders.
Oversees retirement programs and relationships with the Retirement Systems of Alabama, retirement plan vendors, and plan administrators.
Ensures compliance, timely contributions, reporting accuracy, and participant support.
Directs compliance and governance activities related to employee benefits, including ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, Section 125, retirement plans, unemployment, disability programs, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Oversees compliance strategies and operational requirements associated with administering benefits programs across multiple states and jurisdictions.
Serves as chair for benefits governance committees and oversees plan reviews, strategy development, and policy recommendations.
Oversees university leave programs including vacation, sick leave, FMLA, salary continuation, disability coordination, return-to-work programs, unemployment administration, and related services.
Leads vendor management, contract negotiations, procurement support, service-level monitoring, and performance evaluation for benefits, retirement, wellbeing, and related service providers.
Oversees benefits communications, open enrollment, new employee orientation, educational initiatives, websites, training programs, and outreach efforts.
Develops benefits analytics, utilization reporting, compliance monitoring, and strategic recommendations to support budget planning and organizational decision-making.
Provides leadership and direction to benefits staff through organizational planning, succession planning, employee development, and performance management activities.