Director Health Benefits

Alaska Airlines • WA-SeaTac, WA

23h

About The Position

The Director of Health Benefits is a strategic leader responsible for setting the vision, direction, and execution of enterprise-wide global health benefits programs. The role leads people leaders across multiple disciplines and partners with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure programs are equitable, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals and workforce needs. The director oversees program design, implementation, and continuous improvement; manages budgets and vendor relationships; monitors financial performance and risk; and leads strategic initiatives and change management. The position also develops talent, supports succession planning, and fosters an inclusive, high-performance team culture.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in health benefits or related HR functions.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience, including at least 2 years directly leading people.
• Bachelor’s degree, or an additional two years of relevant training or experience in lieu of the degree.
• Deep knowledge of health benefits regulations, including ACA, HIPAA, and ERISA, and workers’ compensation laws.
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives, manage complex budgets, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing and managing large-scale benefits programs and vendor relationships.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, influence at all levels, and drive strategic transformation.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and balancing long-term strategy with short-term execution.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Set long-term strategy for global health benefits with a 12+ month horizon, aligned with enterprise priorities and workforce needs.
• Use data-driven insights and strategic vendor partnerships to identify cost-containment opportunities, improve operational efficiency, and enhance employee experience.
• Engage in difficult conversations, challenge the status quo, and make timely and effective decisions that advance program and organizational priorities.
• Influence within the function and provide enterprise leaders with strategic recommendations on program design, vendor partnerships, and compliance.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of health benefits programs.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and proactively manage risk and cost-containment strategies.
• Develop and manage budgets across multiple disciplines, including vendor contracts, program costs, and administrative expenses.
• Partner with the Director of Leaves, Accommodations and Disability to support efficient and effective programs.
• Partner with Legal, Risk, Finance, and other HR functions to ensure integrated and compliant program delivery.
• Stay current with regulatory changes and apply them to compliance and program design.
• Understand program risks and elements to complete annual audits accurately and address financial risks and compliance.
• Monitor financial performance and identify cost-optimization opportunities without compromising employee experience.
• Establish frameworks and processes that support scalability, efficiency, and innovation.
• Direct strategic initiatives and lead change-management efforts to support successful adoption and measurable outcomes.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to drive enterprise-wide initiatives and collaboration.
• Develop people through performance management and ongoing feedback.
• Foster strategic and systems thinking, talent development, and succession planning across teams and disciplines.
• Shape team culture through action, presence, and reinforcement of inclusive, high-performance behaviors.
• Embody company values, including owning safety, doing the right thing, being caring and kind, and delivering performance.
• Create a culture where all employees feel safe and that they belong.

Benefits

• Free high-priority standby travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air.
• A select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually.
• Comprehensive well-being programs, including medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous 401(k) match program.
• Annual bonus plans.
• Generous holiday and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director