Human Resources Benefits Director

CrossCountry Mortgage•Cleveland, OH

17h

About The Position

The Human Resources Benefits Director leads the strategy, design, and administration of CrossCountry Mortgage’s employee benefits programs, providing strategic oversight of benefits operations including program analysis, vendor management, regulatory compliance, and cost management. This role partners with leadership to align benefits strategy with organizational objectives, ensuring programs remain competitive, compliant, and supportive of employee well-being. The Human Resources Benefits Director leads the Benefits team in delivering exceptional employee service, operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement across health, retirement, leave of absence, and wellbeing programs.

Requirements

7+ years of advanced experience administering employee benefits.
Experience in designing and managing large-scale benefits programs, while aligning strategy with business objectives.
Experience in leading health, retirement, leave of absence, and non-traditional benefits programs, including plan design, funding strategies, and regulatory requirements.
Experience with HR software (HRIS) and quantitative and qualitative research.
Advanced knowledge of employment laws and regulations, with the skill to interpret and apply requirements to complex benefits programs and organizational practices.
Advanced knowledge of HR operations and best practices, with advanced understanding of human resource functions.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent time management skills to meet deadlines.
Excellent communication skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, related field, or equivalent experience, preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategy, design, and implementation of comprehensive self-funded benefits programs including claims analysis, stop-loss management, trend monitoring, and collaboration with carriers/vendors to manage plan performance and costs.
Ensure benefits programs align with business objectives, support employee wellbeing, and optimize cost efficiency.
Partner with leadership to align benefits strategy with workforce planning, including supporting hiring cycles, retention of key roles, and organizational growth objectives.
Lead and develop the Benefits team, including organizational design, capability development, and succession planning to support excellent customer service and evolving business needs.
Deliver executive-level insights and recommendations on program performance, utilization, risk exposure, and cost trends to inform strategic decision-making.
Monitor industry trends, regulatory updates, and best practices, and incorporate insights into program strategy and design.
Manage the benefits budget, including forecasting, financial modeling, and ongoing cost management across all programs.
Evaluate and optimize benefits programs through regular analysis, audits, and benchmarking, recommending enhancements and cost management strategies.
Oversee relationships with external vendors and plan administrators, ensuring effective service delivery, contract management, and alignment with program goals across healthcare, retirement, and non-traditional benefits.
Lead vendor strategy and renewal negotiations, including evaluation of program performance, cost containment opportunities, and contract terms.
Serve as an escalation point for complex benefits issues, partnering with vendors and internal stakeholders to drive resolution.
Support organizational growth initiatives, acquisitions, and workforce integrations by aligning benefits programs, policies, and carrier/vendor relationships.
Manage benefits technology and administration platforms, ensuring data integrity, system effectiveness, and continuous improvement of the employee experience.
Provide strategic oversight of employee-facing benefits support and service delivery, establishing standards that ensure a high-quality, consistent employee experience.
Direct the development and execution of communication strategies to promote awareness and understanding of benefits offerings, including presentations, educational materials, and engagement initiatives.
Establish and maintain compliance frameworks to ensure adherence to applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA).
Monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary updates.
Direct preparation and oversight of required reporting and filings, including but not limited to Form 5500, summary reports, and other regulatory submissions.
Provide oversight of leave and absence programs, ensuring accurate tracking, compliance, and alignment with organizational policies.
Oversee coordination of workplace safety and workers’ compensation programs, ensuring compliance and appropriate case management processes.
Collaborate extensively with cross‑functional partners, including IT, Finance, HR Operations, and C‑level stakeholders, to evaluate program performance, implement system enhancements, manage vendor integrations, and support enterprise‑wide initiatives.