Senior Director of Benefits (Hybrid) - Human Resources

Washington University in St Louis • Saint Louis, MO

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Benefits is a strategic hands-on leadership role and a key member of the HR leadership team. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, this role leads a team of 15 and is responsible for shaping the future of benefits at WashU, a complex and growing healthcare and higher education organization. This position ensures that benefits programs are competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals. The Senior Director serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and partners closely with Finance, HR Business Partners, Legal, Workday HRIS, and external vendors. The role combines strategic oversight with operational excellence across the design, governance, communication, compliance, and delivery of employee health and retirement benefits, leave programs, and the employee solutions center. This is an opportunity for a strategic leader who enjoys balancing long-term vision with operational execution in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field.
• 10 years of experience with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity leading the development of a complex, integrated and strategic benefits program in a healthcare, or corporate environment.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree
• Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) - World at Work
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) - International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and ongoing evolution of the benefits strategy, philosophy, and governance framework aligned with broader Total Rewards objectives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on market trends, innovations, best practices, and cost management while maintaining flexibility where needed.
• Design, develop, implement, and oversee cost-effective benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, voluntary benefits, and leave of absence programs.
• Conduct benchmarking and market analysis to assess and ensure programs are competitive in the marketplace, support employee needs, and align with business objectives.
• Lead benefits-related projects from concept through implementation in partnership with university stakeholders and the benefits and Workday teams.
• Ensure financial stewardship including benefits budgets, forecasts, and long-range cost projections.
• Analyze claims experience, utilization trends, and cost drivers to improve program effectiveness and spending.
• Develop and evolve dashboards and KPIs that provide actionable insights to leaders.
• Lead benefits communication and education strategies that improve employee understanding, engagement, and utilization of benefits programs.
• Mentor and develop a team of 15 benefits professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth.
• Ensure the team is equipped to deliver high-quality service and operational support.
• Ensure the employee benefits solutions center delivers high-quality, responsive, and service-oriented experience.
• Handle escalated benefit inquiries and employee issues with professionalism, equity, and care while promoting self-service tools and resources and leveraging AI.
• Lead vendor evaluation and selection for all benefits programs.
• Hold vendors accountable for performance targets, service level agreements, and timely issue resolution.
• Manage vendor payment processes and ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Responsible for the Retirement Plans Committee and Benefits Plans Appeal Committee, and serve as Secretary for the Compensation and Benefits Committee.
• Support governance processes and ensure effective documentation, coordination, and decision-making.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
• Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs.
• Adult care resources.
• Tuition coverage for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director