Director, Health & Welfare Benefits

Yale New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

11d

About The Position

Designs, implements, administers, and evaluates health (group medical and prescription drug), welfare (disability and life insurance), and time away benefits programs for employees of YNHHS and affiliates. Ensures that the organization remains competitive in the marketplace from a benefits perspective.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field.
Seven (7) to ten (10) years experience in benefits design and administration with five years in a management level position.
Working knowledge of legal and organizational requirements governing benefits administration.
Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Must be able to deal effectively with all levels of clients, including employees, management, outside benefits professionals (insurance contacts, TPA, actuaries), legal counsel and regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

Plans and directs implementation and administration of system-wide health and welfare benefits programs, such as medical, disability, life, and paid time off programs.
Develops benefit program communication campaigns, including direction of preparation and distribution of communication materials, including electronic communication, and plans management and employee meetings.
Consults with various system affiliates to assist in developing benefit program selections to support employee needs and business strategy.
Analyzes existing benefits policies, and surveys prevailing practices of similar organizations, to establish competitive benefits programs.
Collaborates with key YNHHS stakeholders to select and direct benefits consultants, actuaries, brokers, trustees and necessary legal assistance.
Evaluates risk and administrative services options to compare and determine programs best meeting needs of organizations within the system.
Recommends required modifications or improvements to existing benefits programs to keep them in compliance with ever-changing regulations and maximize employee satisfaction /understanding of benefit programs.
Responsible for development of annual Benefits operating budget and on-going monitoring to identify variances and underlying causes.
Supports Employee Relations in negotiating on benefits programs for bargaining union employees.
Responsible for supervising day-to-day activities of Benefits staff.
Drives efforts to resolve Benefits issues with both employees and providers.
Maintains updated knowledge of legislative benefits regulations and takes appropriate action to ensure that the organization is in compliance.
Provides strategic and operational oversight of the HRConnect employee service function.
Collaborates with other YNHHS stakeholders to enhance service delivery and streamline existing processes and procedures.
Leads efforts to develop robust projections and prospective financial estimates related to proposed changes to YNHHS total rewards (compensation and benefits) programs.
Serves as a key partner to the YNHHS Finance function on matters pertaining to total rewards.
Performs other duties as assigned.