GAF

Director, Benefits Strategy – Design

GAF

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: Alaska • Arizona • United States

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Salary

💰 $171,000 - $218,500 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Strategic Benefits Design: Lead the continuous evolution and modernization of the entire benefits portfolio to maintain market competitiveness, align with corporate objectives, and proactively meet the evolving needs of a diverse workforce, including specialized union requirements.
  • Integration Strategy: Design and architect the complex integration strategy for harmonizing benefits plans, policies, and systems following business acquisitions, ensuring seamless alignment and operational readiness for the HR Service Center.
  • Financial Modeling & Analytics: Drive data-driven decision-making by analyzing complex benefits data, cost trends, and plan utilization. Oversee financial modeling and forecasting to ensure fiscal responsibility and maximum ROI on benefit spend.
  • Governance & Process Excellence: Establish and maintain the governance framework for all benefits plans. Champion process re-design and innovation to optimize the end-to-end employee and administrative experience.
  • Vendor Strategy & Negotiation: Provide strategic direction and high-level oversight to all third-party benefits administrators (TPAs), brokers, and carriers. Lead major vendor contract negotiations, renewals, and performance management reviews to ensure maximum value and best-in-class service delivery.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner strategically with executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams, including HRIS (Workday), Payroll, Finance, and Legal, to build the necessary technology and operational infrastructure required for seamless program execution.
  • Union Contract Interpretation: Interpret union contract provisions and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) to design compliant benefits offerings and define the proper execution path for the HR Service Center, in partnership with Labor Relations.
  • Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Maintain expert-level knowledge of all federal and state regulations (ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, etc.). Proactively anticipate and establish mitigation strategies for compliance risks across the benefits landscape.
  • Team & Stakeholder Leadership: Oversee and mentor the internal Benefits Strategy staff, providing coaching and development. Lead the communication strategy for all benefits, ensuring materials are effective, compliant, and drive maximum employee engagement. Act as the final escalation point for the most complex benefits issues requiring strategic decision-making.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field required
  • 10+ years of progressive experience focused on benefits strategy, program design, and enterprise-wide execution.
  • 10+ years of experience managing and mentoring a professional team.
  • Integration Success: Demonstrated success in leading and designing complex benefits integration and harmonization projects across multiple organizations.
  • Specialized Knowledge: Expert-level regulatory knowledge, including specific experience with the benefits component of union contracts/CBAs.
  • Strategic Business Acumen: Advanced critical thinking, financial acumen, and the ability to link benefits strategy directly to business and talent objectives.
  • Transformational Influence: Proven ability to navigate, influence, and build trust-based relationships with senior leadership, internal partners, and external vendors in a complex stakeholder environment.
  • Results-Oriented: A drive for measurable impact, focusing on the quality of design and execution outcomes rather than routine administrative tasks.
  • Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex legislative and plan design information into clear, effective communications for all levels of the organization.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
financial modelingdata analysisbenefits strategyprogram designintegration strategycompliance knowledgerisk mitigationvendor negotiationprocess redesignemployee engagement
Soft Skills
strategic thinkingleadershipmentoringcommunicationinfluencerelationship buildingcritical thinkingresults-orientedteam collaborationproblem-solving