Director of Benefits (Indianapolis)
One of our BEST clients with an established brand is looking for an outstanding Benefits Director! OVERVIEW: The Director of Benefits is responsible for leading the organization’s employee benefits programs and ensuring a best-in-class benefits experience for team members. This role oversees the planning, administration, compliance, communication, and ongoing evaluation of the company’s health, welfare, and retirement benefit programs supporting approximately 175 employees and their eligible dependents. The Director of Benefits will partner closely with leadership, employees, brokers, carriers, vendors, and third-party administrators to ensure benefit programs are competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with the needs of the organization and its employees. This position serves as the organization’s subject matter expert for employee benefits and plays a key role in evaluating programs, improving processes, managing vendor relationships, and developing benefits best practices. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Oversee the administration of employee benefit programs supporting employees and eligible dependents, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, wellness programs, COBRA, and 401(k) retirement plans. Ensure benefit and retirement programs remain compliant with applicable federal and state regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and other relevant requirements. Serve as the primary benefits subject matter expert and provide guidance to employees and leadership regarding benefit plans, policies, eligibility, and complex benefit-related issues. Oversee and support the administration of the company’s 401(k) plan, including vendor relationships, employee education, plan compliance, and ongoing plan administration. Partner with leadership to evaluate current benefit offerings and recommend enhancements based on employee needs, market trends, utilization, cost, and organizational objectives. Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, retirement plan providers, third-party administrators, vendors, and other external partners. Review and maintain benefit and retirement plan documents, Summary Plan Descriptions, Summary of Benefits and Coverage, required notices, and other plan documentation. Lead the annual benefits renewal and Open Enrollment process, including plan changes, employee communications, enrollment activities, and HRIS updates. Partner with brokers and leadership to review benefit costs, plan performance, utilization, and opportunities for cost management. Ensure accurate and timely transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to benefit vendors and carriers. Research and resolve complex claims, eligibility, enrollment, and coverage issues. Develop clear and effective benefits communications and educational materials for employees. Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting employee benefit and retirement programs and recommend necessary changes. Identify opportunities to improve benefits administration, employee experience, processes, systems, and vendor performance. Maintain current knowledge of benefits trends, regulations, and best practices through professional development and industry resources. QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. 5 years of progressive experience in employee benefits, benefits administration, or a related HR function. Must have hands-on experience with 401(k) plan administration and retirement benefits. Experience supporting benefits programs for a large, multi-site employee population strongly preferred. Strong working knowledge of health and welfare benefit plans and applicable regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA. Experience managing relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, 401(k)/retirement plan providers, third-party administrators, and benefits vendors. Experience leading Open Enrollment and benefits renewal processes. Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to research and resolve complex benefits and employee issues while maintaining confidentiality. Experience working with HRIS and benefits administration systems. Ability to balance strategic benefits planning with hands-on administration and employee support.
