Vice President, Benefits

Sutter Health•Sacramento, CA

About The Position

Sutter Health is one of California’s most comprehensive healthcare systems and one of the nation’s largest, generating $18+ billion in revenues. Headquartered in Sacramento, Sutter Health is a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare system committed to health equity, community partnerships and innovative, high-quality patient care. Sutter’s 60,500+ employees, 14,000+ physicians and advanced practice clinicians, serve more than 3.5 million patients through its network of hospitals, medical foundations, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent and walk-in care centers, telehealth, home health and hospice services. The Vice President of Benefits is a strategic leader responsible for the design, implementation, and management of comprehensive benefits programs that support Sutter Health’s workforce, reinforce a high-performance culture, and reflect the organization’s mission and values. Reporting to the Head of Total Rewards, this role oversees health and welfare administration and consulting, retirement programs (both defined benefit and defined contribution), health plan administration through SutterSelect, and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including in-house operators and clinicians. This leader serves as a trusted advisor to senior executives, human resources, finance, and other stakeholders, ensuring benefits programs are competitive, equitable, compliant, and financially sustainable. The role requires extensive engagement with outside consulting partners and vendor management of complex, high-value contracts, ensuring external relationships deliver exceptional service, cost-effectiveness, and strategic value to the organization. The Vice President also leads a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, curiosity, compassion, inclusion, teamwork, and integrity, while promoting innovation, education, and transparency across the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree: Business, Finance or related field or equivalent education/experience
15+ years of total experience in Benefits and/or Total Rewards roles.
Plus 10+ years in leadership roles with at least Director-level experience leading sizable internal teams as well as leading and designing organization-wide programs in large-scale healthcare or similarly regulated environments that have multi-state complexity.
Experience advising senior executives.
Deep understanding of self-insured Health and Welfare program design, administration, and compliance, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and voluntary benefits.
Strong knowledge of retirement plan structures (defined benefit and defined contribution), plan governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and compliance requirements.
Expertise in employee assistance programs (EAPs) and workforce well-being strategies.
Strong understanding of vendor management and consulting partnerships, including contract negotiation, performance monitoring, and cost/value optimization.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements impacting employee benefits, including federal, state, and local laws, as well as healthcare-specific regulations.
Significant knowledge with benefits analytics, reporting, and benchmarking, including experience translating complex data into actionable business insights.
Familiarity with HR systems (Workday), benefit tools and administration, and analytics platforms; ability to leverage data and insights to inform strategy and decision-making.
Knowledge of total rewards strategy, workforce planning, and how benefits integrate with compensation and organizational performance.
Must be familiar with and comply with applicable audit and regulatory compliance requirements governing health and welfare plans and programs.
Requires a working understanding with risk financing/ actuarial theory, funding mechanisms and reserves, to bring cost value to the medical plan.
Communications must reflect knowledge of grammar in English composition and acceptable business letter format, as well as, industry terminology. Fine-tuned presentation skills and ability to present to large and small groups to drive education.
Strategic Leadership: Ability to develop and execute enterprise-wide benefits strategies aligned with organizational priorities
Influence & Communication: Exceptional ability to advise senior leaders
Vendor & Consulting Partner Management: Skilled in overseeing high-value contracts, optimizing partner performance, showcasing strategic partnership with critical consultants and ensuring cost-effective delivery of services.
Analytical & Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to leverage complex data to inform strategy, optimize program performance, and guide leadership decisions.
Regulatory & Compliance Acumen: Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and risk management, with the ability to proactively navigate compliance issues.
Leadership, Coaching & Talent Development: Proven ability to inspire, mentor, and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture aligned with Sutter Health’s values.
Collaboration & Relationship Building: Ability to build trusted partnerships across HR, Finance, Legal, and external stakeholders.
Operational Excellence: Ensures effective governance, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement of benefits programs.
Employee & Leader Education: Skilled at designing and delivering benefits communication, education, and engagement strategies to improve understanding, transparency, and utilization.
Adaptability & Agility: Ability to navigate complex, dynamic healthcare and regulatory environments with flexibility and resilience.