Director, Benefits & Total Rewards (Healthcare)
Title: Director, Benefits & Total Rewards (Healthcare)Duration: 6 Months with a possibility of extension:Location: Houston, TX (Remote)Preferred Skills:Senior-level Benefits leadership experience• Healthcare system experience (required)• End-to-end ownership of benefits strategy and operations (design through execution, including open enrollment)• Experience operating in large, complex environmentsDescription:Job Description:1. This engagement is intended to provide senior-level benefits leadership coverage with expertise spanning the full spectrum of benefits administration. 2. The individual must be capable of operating at a director-level strategic capacity, engaging directly with executive leadership while also managing operational elements of the benefits portfolio.3. 10 years’ experience managing benefits operations encompassing the implementation of benefit programs, administration and compliance of qualified retirement plans, health and welfare benefit plans and wellness initiatives in a complex integrated healthcare system or multi-divisional company Minimum Qualifications1. Bachelor’s degree in business, HR Management or related discipline; Master’s degree (preferred) Licenses/Certifications: 1. Certification in HR-related area preferred, e.g. Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)2. The expectation is that the contractor can step in quickly, assess the current benefits landscape, and support ongoing initiatives and vendor relationships without significant ramp-up time. Core Experience Required (Must-Haves):1. Comprehensive Benefits Expertise2. The candidate must have broad benefits leadership experience across both major benefit categories:3. Health & Welfare4. Medical, dental, vision programs5. Health plan strategy and administration6. Vendor management and compliance oversight7. Financial Benefits8. Retirement programs (401k / pension plans)9. Financial wellness programs10. Deferred compensation or other financial benefit structures11. Candidates should demonstrate experience integrating these benefits into a cohesive total rewards strategy. Must Have:1. Annual Enrollment Expertise2. Leading strategic discussions related to benefits structure, cost management, and vendor performance3. Post-enrollment auditing and reconciliation4. Presenting to senior leaders5. Representing the benefits function in cross-functional leadership forums6. RFP Leadership Experience Nice To Have:1. Certified Benefits Professional (CBP)2. Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) Executive Presence:1. The individual must be comfortable:2. Presenting to senior leaders and executive stakeholders3. Leading strategic discussions related to benefits structure, cost management, and vendor performance4. Representing the benefits function in cross-functional leadership forums5. This role will require someone who can lead conversations, not just participate in them.6. Healthcare Industry Experience7. Strong preference for candidates with experience in:8. Healthcare systems9. Large or complex organizations10. Healthcare experience is important due to the complexity of benefit structures, workforce size, and regulatory considerations.11. RFP Leadership Experience12. The candidate must have direct experience managing complex benefits RFP processes, including:13. Vendor selection strategy14. Evaluation frameworks15. Cross-functional stakeholder alignment16. Negotiation and implementation support17. This experience is critical given the scale and vendor complexity associated with benefits programs in large health systems. Annual Enrollment Expertise:1. Candidates must have demonstrated experience managing the full lifecycle of annual enrollment, including:2. Communication strategy3. Employee engagement campaigns4. Benefits technology platforms5. Enrollment administration6. Post-enrollment auditing and reconciliation7. The individual should be able to evaluate and support improvements to the annual enrollment process if needed.