Director of Benefits

Stamford Health•Stamford, CT

About The Position

The Director of Benefits serves as a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and administering comprehensive employee benefits programs. Reporting to the VP of Human Resources, this role ensures benefits plans support organizational goals, foster employee wellbeing, maintain regulatory compliance, and remain cost-efficient. As a Certified Great Place to Work organization, Stamford Health understands what it takes to attract talent to improve our workforce and support our mission, to that end we offer: Competitive salary Comprehensive, low-cost health insurance plans available day one Wellness programs Paid Time Off accruals Tax deferred annuity and (403b) pension plan Tuition reimbursement Free on-site parking and train station shuttle Childcare partnership with Children’s Learning Center The Director of Benefits is a unique opportunity to impact our focus on person-centered care at Stamford Health, by designing, implementing and managing benefit programs that directly support employees’ well-being, which in turn enables them to provide better care to our patients. This role drives initiatives that support attracting and retaining skilled staff, promoting employee well-being, ensuring benefit strategies that reduce turnover, championing professional development, all in alignment with our organizational values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in benefits administration—with at least 5 years in a managerial or leadership capacity.
Advanced knowledge of benefits regulations, including the ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, etc..
Proven expertise in developing benefits strategies that balance competitiveness with cost efficiency.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and act on utilization data and cost trends.
Experienced in managing vendor negotiations and benefit plan renewals
Familiarity with HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, Oracle, PeopleSoft) and benefits administration tools; advanced Excel skills.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications such as CEBS, PHR, SPHR, or SHRM‑SCP preferred.
Experience managing for large populations (3,000+ employees) preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a forward-looking benefits strategy—including health, welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave programs—that aligns with organization objectives and market benchmarks.
Oversee the full lifecycle of benefits offerings: plan design, budgeting, compliance, vendor negotiation, renewal, enrollment, and communication.
Manage relationships with brokers, carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators to optimize service and cost.
Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA, ADA, and other federal/state regulations.
Lead the annual open enrollment process: including strategy, communications, materials, and execution.
Analyze benefits utilization and cost trends; make recommendations to improve value and achieve budget targets.
Provide leadership and development for the benefits team—setting performance goals, mentoring, and promoting continuous improvement.
Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated employee benefits inquiries and complex cases.