Director, Benefits

Foundation Building Materials•Santa Ana, CA

4d•$150,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Foundation Building Materials (FBM), The Director of Benefits will lead the enterprise-wide benefits strategy and daily operations across the United States and Canada. As a senior Human Resources leader, this role will be responsible for the strategic design, governance, administration, compliance, financial management, leave administration, wellness initiatives, and continuous improvement of FBM’s comprehensive employee benefits program. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise managing complex benefits programs for large multi-state employers, strong financial and analytical capabilities, exceptional vendor management experience, and the ability to influence executive leadership while delivering a best-in-class employee experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required
10+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration and total rewards, including significant leadership experience supporting large, complex organizations
Experience leading enterprise benefits programs for organizations with 5,000+ employees
Demonstrated experience managing multi-state and/or North American benefits programs
Strong background in benefits strategy, plan design, compliance, vendor management, and financial analysis
Experience leading large-scale open enrollment initiatives and enterprise systems integrations
Proven success leading and developing high-performing teams
Deep knowledge of employee benefits regulations and compliance requirements including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and retirement plan governance
Strong business acumen with advanced analytical and financial management skills
Excellent project management and organizational capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strong executive presence and ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership
Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and vendor management skills
Strong systems aptitude and experience with HRIS/HCM platforms such as Dayforce

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or MBA preferred
CEBS, CBP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or other advanced benefits or HR certification strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic direction, design, implementation, and administration of enterprise-wide benefits programs for a workforce of 8,000+ employees
Partner closely with Executive Leadership, Human Resources leadership, Finance, Payroll, Legal, Marketing, and Operations leaders to ensure benefits programs support business objectives and employee engagement
Evaluate market trends, benchmarking data, utilization metrics, and emerging practices to ensure competitive and sustainable benefits offerings
Provide strategic recommendations regarding plan design, cost containment, employee experience improvements, and risk mitigation
Build and lead a high-performing benefits function focused on operational excellence, service delivery, and continuous improvement
Oversee administration of all health and welfare programs including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, life insurance, disability, voluntary benefits, EAP, wellness, and related programs
Ensure accurate and timely administration of enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, COBRA, and eligibility management
Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution, including system configuration, communications, employee education, vendor coordination, and post-enrollment reconciliation
Ensure seamless administration and integration of benefits programs within HRIS/HCM platforms including Dayforce and third-party systems
Drive process standardization and automation initiatives to improve operational efficiency and employee service levels
Develop and manage the benefits budget, forecasting processes, and long-term cost management strategies
Analyze claims data, utilization trends, renewal projections, and vendor performance to identify opportunities for cost optimization and plan enhancements
Partner with Human Resources leadership for annual renewal negotiations with insurance carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators
Align with Finance and executive leadership to provide data-driven recommendations regarding benefits expenditures and program investments
Develop executive-level reporting and dashboards that communicate program performance, utilization trends, employee engagement, and financial impact
Serve as the primary relationship manager for all benefits vendors, brokers, consultants, carriers, third-party administrators, and wellness providers
Establish and monitor service-level agreements (SLAs), performance metrics, and accountability standards for vendor partners
Lead RFP processes, vendor evaluations, implementation projects, and contract negotiations
Ensure vendor services align with organizational objectives, compliance standards, and employee experience expectations
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations governing employee benefits and leave programs
Oversee compliance activities related to ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, Section 125, state leave laws, and applicable Canadian benefits requirements
Coordinate preparation and submission of required filings and reporting including Form 5500s, nondiscrimination testing, SPDs, SARs, ACA reporting, and related documentation
Partner with Legal, external counsel, and auditors to address regulatory changes, audits, and compliance reviews
Maintain strong internal controls and governance processes to minimize organizational risk
Provide strategic oversight for enterprise leave of absence and disability programs including FMLA, ADA accommodations, state-mandated leaves, paid family leave programs, and company leave policies
Ensure consistent and compliant administration practices across all jurisdictions
Partner with internal stakeholders and third-party administrators to improve employee experience, case management, and return-to-work processes
Develop and execute comprehensive benefits communication and education strategies for a diverse workforce
Ensure employees clearly understand available benefits programs, enrollment processes, and wellness resources
Lead creation of scalable communication materials including presentations, enrollment websites, digital resources, FAQs, and educational campaigns
Promote employee engagement through wellness initiatives, financial wellness programs, and targeted communication strategies
Enhance the overall employee benefits experience through continuous feedback, process improvements, and service enhancements
Lead, mentor, and develop members of the Benefits team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and customer service
Establish performance expectations, operational metrics, and development plans for team members
Assess organizational structure and staffing needs to support future growth and operational scalability
Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert to HR leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
Perform other duties as assigned to support HR and corporate objectives