Director of Benefits

CentraCare•Saint Cloud, MN

11d•Remote

About The Position

Find your purpose as the Director of Benefits with CentraCare! The Director of Benefits will lead and actively execute the strategy, design, and administration of CentraCare’s employee benefits programs, balancing employee experience, cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability while ensuring compliance with local laws, regulations, and cultural practices. This is a hands-on role requiring strong understanding of US regulations, financial management, and the ability to create competitive and inclusive benefits packages that attract and retain talent. You’ll provide leadership and guidance to the benefits teams, to ensure benefits align with the company's overall values, culture and strategy. This role provides strategic leadership of benefit programs and policy development designed to promote purpose-driven human resources practices. Influence and shape specialized wellbeing program offerings and platform design through an employee experience lens. Innovate delivery of recognition programs to drive employee engagement, increase retention, and support the growth of CentraCare. Ensures protected leave management practices extend the appropriate care and compassion when it matters most while adhering to regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
Minimum of 8 years of progressive benefit experience to include strong analytical, financial, and compliance acumen.
Managerial experience required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
Broad knowledge of benefit plan design required.
Deep knowledge of U.S. benefits regulations and market practices.
Experience managing vendor relationships and large-scale program implementations.
Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation preferred.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the design, development, implementation, and communication of the benefit programs for all CentraCare employees to include, but not limited to, medical, dental, life, disability, employee assistance, wellbeing, retirement and income protection programs that support business objectives and enhance employee engagement.
Manage relationships with benefit providers, brokers, consultants, and third-party administrators.
Lead annual renewals, RFPs, and contract negotiations.
Responsible for self-funded plan oversight, governance, and overall financial management of benefit plans. Oversee stop-loss coverage, reimbursements, and renewal negotiations to effectively mitigate financial risk. Assures proper payment of premiums and claims for the various benefit programs.
Responsible for the training and advising of leadership at all entities regarding the benefit programs, recognition, and family/medical leave.
Actively participates in task forces, work groups, and committees focused on benefit topics.
Develops and implements departmental procedures and systems to monitor status of benefit programs and to insure cost controls. Identifies areas for improvement for technical information and/or employee experience.
Responsible for government compliance of all benefit programs (e.g. ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA).
Responsible for recommending additions and modifications of benefit programs consistent with benefit trends and budget guidelines
Enhances communication between leadership and staff providing ongoing feedback on goals and objectives. Provides an open environment with a range of mechanisms for staff to voice concerns, give feedback or make suggestions.
Demonstrates follow through and effective problem-solving activities with staff, customers, physicians, and other departments.
Communicates and advocates for all staff. Remains accessible to all staff on an ongoing basis and makes self-available in the department by being visible.
Promotes an environment conducive to positive and collaborative working relationships. Develops and sustains teamwork and staff satisfaction in order to maintain optimal workforce.
Through the analysis of exit interviews statistics and documented staff concerns, develops performance improvement activities related to staff turnover on a quarterly basis.
Assures competency of Benefits team through provision of training and education. Helps staff develop individual plans to meet career goals through educational, mentoring, and other self-growth opportunities.
Interviews, selects/hires, and coordinates orientation in order to develop qualified Benefits team members.
Responsible for ensuring performance evaluations are done on time and provides feedback to staff as appropriate.
Maintains a current knowledge/expertise of national/regional trends specific to recruitment and retention within the specialty.