Vice President, Benefits Strategy

Compass Group•Charlotte, NC

10d

About The Position

The Vice President (VP), Benefits Strategy, is the organization's foremost leader in the design and innovation of employee benefit plans. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President (SVP), Total Rewards, this role focuses on developing, enhancing, and implementing creative benefit solutions that meet employees' diverse needs and advance the talent strategy. The VP sets the vision for benefit plan architecture, ensuring programs are competitive, cost-effective, and responsive to evolving workforce trends. The position leads benefit design and innovation, evaluates existing offerings, monitors regulatory and industry developments, and works with HR, Finance, and Legal to optimize plan design, costs, and compliance. It also oversees vendor selection and management, advances the employee experience through digital tools, presents recommendations and analytics to senior leadership, communicates benefit programs to employees, and leads a high-performing benefits team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in employee benefits, including at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on plan design and innovation.
Expertise in the strategy, design, and administration of benefit programs across health, wellness, retirement, and voluntary benefits.
Strong knowledge of compliance, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA; market trends; and technology-driven benefits solutions.
Strong analytical, creative problem-solving, and project management capabilities.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience managing vendor relationships and contract negotiations with a focus on innovation.
Demonstrated success leading and developing teams in environments that value creative thinking and change.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and continual innovation of employer-provided health and welfare benefits and voluntary benefit plans to ensure market competitiveness and strategic alignment.
Evaluate existing benefit offerings and introduce new solutions based on data, employee feedback, and industry best practices.
Monitor trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for benefit program enhancements.
Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Legal teams to optimize plan design, manage costs, and maintain compliance.
Oversee the selection, negotiation, and management of benefit vendors, emphasizing innovation and value.
Champion improvements to enhance employee experience and leverage digital tools for greater access and efficiency.
Prepare and present strategic recommendations and analytics to senior leadership, focusing on benefit design and innovation.
Communicate benefit programs and changes effectively to employees, building understanding and engagement.
Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing benefits team dedicated to creative thinking and continuous improvement.