Firmwide Director of Benefits & Compensation
About The Position
The Firmwide Director of Benefits and Compensation provides strategic leadership for the design, administration, communication, and ongoing enhancement of Perkins&Will’s benefits programs. The role focuses primarily on delivering comprehensive, competitive, employee-centered health, welfare, retirement, leave, and well-being offerings aligned with the firm’s culture, talent strategy, and business objectives. It also supports compensation programs through market intelligence, benchmarking, analytics, and insights that inform compensation decisions and workforce planning. Working with Corporate Leadership, Talent, Finance, Legal, external vendors, and colleagues across the firm, the director ensures that programs are well-managed, effectively communicated, compliant, and responsive to workforce needs. The position leads and develops the benefits team, strengthens the employee experience, and supports the attraction, engagement, and retention of talent. The role also oversees total rewards communications, benefits operations and technology, regulatory compliance, vendor relationships, and benefits-related acquisition due diligence and integration.
Requirements
- 10 or more years of progressive experience in Benefits or Total Rewards leadership roles.
- Experience developing and administering complex employee benefits programs.
- Experience supporting compensation programs through benchmarking, analytics, and administration.
- Deep knowledge of benefits administration, retirement programs, leave management, wellness strategies, and total rewards practices.
- Strong understanding of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and related regulatory requirements.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, including the ability to interpret data and develop meaningful recommendations.
- Experience using workforce and market data to support business decisions.
- Exceptional leadership, relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills.
- Ability to partner effectively with senior leadership and manage complex vendor relationships.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in a professional services environment.
- Experience supporting multinational employee populations.
- Experience with Workday and other HR technology platforms.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of health and welfare programs, including retirement, leave of absence, and well-being programs.
- Monitor benefits trends and best practices, assess plan design opportunities, and make recommendations to Leadership.
- Oversee annual renewals, open enrollment, and ongoing program administration across geographic locations where the firm practices.
- Negotiate contracts and manage relationships with brokers, consultants, carriers, auditors, and third-party administrators.
- Develop and implement initiatives supporting employees’ physical, emotional, financial, and social well-being; review engagement and spending to assess program effectiveness and employee experience.
- Provide strategic oversight of international benefit programs and align them with local market practices, including knowledge of Canadian benefit plan administration.
- Partner with the Chief Talent Officer and Chief Financial Officer on the firm’s compensation philosophy and programs.
- Provide market intelligence, benchmarking, and workforce analytics for compensation planning and decision-making.
- Assist with annual compensation programs, including salary reviews and bonus processes; conduct analyses of market competitiveness, pay equity, and internal alignment.
- Maintain compensation structures, job architecture frameworks, and supporting documentation, and advise Talent leaders on compensation policies, practices, and market trends.
- Develop and oversee the firm’s total rewards communication strategy, including educational resources, annual enrollment materials, employee-facing systems content, and communications to prospective employees.
- Handle escalated employee questions and concerns about benefits and rewards programs.
- Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and applicable federal, state, local, and international regulations.
- Oversee plan documents, policies, agreements, amendments, audits, Form 5500 filings, and benefits-related recordkeeping; monitor regulatory developments and recommend program changes.
- Partner with Legal and external advisors on governance and risk management.
- Provide strategic oversight of benefits administration processes and operating procedures; ensure HRIS systems support benefits administration, compensation processes, reporting, and vendor integrations.
- Collaborate with IT on systems enhancements, reporting, analytics, and process improvements, and ensure accurate vendor invoice payments and expense reconciliations.
- Lead and develop benefits team members and provide training and consultation to Talent Team members and firm leaders.
- Partner with Finance, Legal, Talent Acquisition, and Corporate Leadership on initiatives affecting employee rewards and experience.
- Participate in acquisition due diligence and integration, including benefits evaluation, transition planning, and employee communications.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
