Director, Benefits

CenterPoint Energy • Houston, TX

7d • Onsite

About The Position

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. Our Vision: Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people. Our Commitment: CenterPoint Energy is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where business results are achieved through the skills, abilities and talents of our diverse workforce. At CenterPoint Energy, individuals are respected for their contributions toward our company objectives. We strive for an inclusive work environment across all levels that is reflective of the available workforce in the communities we serve. Summary: The Director, Benefits is responsible for the strategic design, implementation, administration, and evaluation of the organization’s employee benefits programs. This role ensures that all benefit offerings are competitive, cost-effective, compliant with regulatory requirements, and aligned with organizational goals. The Director, Benefits leads cross-functional initiatives, manages vendor relationships, and serves as a subject matter expert on health and welfare, retirement, leave and wellbeing programs.

Requirements

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or other related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in benefits administration, including a minimum of five (5) years of formal leadership experience.
• In-depth knowledge of compensation principles, practices, and regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate and build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working on merger and acquisition transactions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation and administration of health and welfare, retirement, leave and wellness programs (e.g., medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, HSAs, EAPs).
• Develop and execute a comprehensive benefits strategy that aligns with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Evaluate industry trends, benchmark data, and regulatory changes to recommend enhancements or redesigns of benefit plans.
• Partner with leadership and finance to forecast benefits costs and create long-term strategic plans.
• Manage annual enrollment, including planning, communication, and system configuration.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of benefit transactions, eligibility updates, and vendor data feeds.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, IRS regulations, and other federal and state requirements.
• Lead benefits audits and manage plan filings, including Form 5500s, nondiscrimination testing, and plan documents.
• Partner with legal and compliance teams to mitigate risks and maintain governance standards.
• Manage relationships with carriers, brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, and vendors.
• Lead RFP processes when evaluating new vendors or benefit programs.
• Collaborate with payroll, HRIS, finance, and HR business partners to ensure seamless benefits delivery.
• Develop clear, accessible benefits communication materials and education strategies.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex employee benefits inquiries.
• Promote programs that improve employee wellbeing and engagement.
• Monitor and analyze benefits utilization and cost trends to identify opportunities for cost savings and program improvements.
• Prepare high quality materials for executive leadership (including reports and presentations).
• Oversee benefits data integrity and collaborate with HRIS on system enhancements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop members of the benefits team.
• Foster a culture of service excellence and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees