Fast Facts

The Director of Benefits at SEI will oversee the design and implementation of benefits programs while ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, leading a team in enhancing employee wellbeing and satisfaction.

Responsibilities: Lead the benefits function, including program design, administration, and communication; analyze benefits options; manage relationships with third-party providers; ensure regulatory compliance and effective plan presentation to leadership.

Skills: Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, project management, analytical abilities, understanding of HR principles, and excellent written and oral communication.

Qualifications: 8+ years of diverse benefits experience, with 5+ years in a leadership role; Bachelor's degree in HR or related field, MBA preferred; certifications like PHR/SHRM-CP are advantageous.

Location: Corporate location in Herndon, VA, USA; occasional travel may be required.

Compensation: $130300 - $195500 / Annually

Through demonstration of the SEI Success Behaviors (Inclusive Teamwork, Mission-Driven Execution, Innovative Problem-Solving, and Continuous Learning), the Director, Benefits is responsible for the overall design, implementation, communication and administration of the organization’s health and welfare, wellbeing, leave and retirement benefit programs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Lead Benefits function at SEI, including long term benefits design, annual renewals, open enrollment planning, system changes, communication, planning, and administration.
Analyze benefit options and predict future costs to support decision-making. Regularly assess offerings to balance market competitiveness and spend.
Closely monitor plan effectiveness in achieving objectives.
Research and evaluate complex human resource and employee benefit issues; develop effective solutions, options and implement proposals.
Collaborates with Workday team on requirements definition, system enhancements, testing and fixes.
Manage relationships with third-party providers, record keepers and consultants.
Partner with external advisers and legal counsel to ensure program compliance with regulatory and operational goals.
Serve as a benefits and subject matter expert for and with senior leaders across the organization on all benefit matters
Participate in strategic planning for human resource functions and services; recommend goals and objectives and oversee and/or participate in the development and implementation of human resources policies and procedures related to the benefits function.
Collaborate with stakeholders across HR, Finance and Legal to ensure plans are fit for purpose, competitive, compliant and resonate with team members.
Scale plan and program administration to ensure efficient operations while keeping the team member's experience front and center.
Implement a communications strategy to ensure programs are understood and effectively utilized.
Acts as a subject matter expert to the Investment Committee for retirement plans ensuring that adequate processes and controls are in place to meet the Company's fiduciary responsibility.
Responsible for a range of IRS, ERISA, DOL and state compliance, filings, and/or reporting requirements.
Other responsibilities as assigned.

Job Skills:

Possess outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Ability to interpret and incorporate HR policies and procedures into practice.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with persons within and outside the organization.
Ability to deliver high quality work while meeting timelines/deadlines.
Flexible with the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks as necessary.
Strong organization, customer service and time- management skills.
Demonstrated strength in plan administration and regulatory compliance required.
Strong analysis and process orientation skills required.
Ability to review and interpret complex benefit proposals and contracts, determine areas of concern, and effectively communicate those concerns to management and vendors.
Must be able to discover/anticipate problems that may arise in administrative practices, contracts and policies.
Strong collaborative/influencing skills with a customer focus.
Must have superior critical thinking skills and the ability to distill and synthesize data and concepts for a range of audiences.
Must be detail oriented - with strong attention to accuracy and problem solving. "Following-up until resolved" skills are a must.
Must be adaptable and able to deal with uncertainty.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Work Experience:

8+ years of progressive and broad benefits experience with 5+ years in a leadership role
5 years of project management responsibilities
Planning, design and negotiation with vendors for implementation of health, welfare, and retirement benefits required.
Experience in leading one or more aspects of a total reward program
Working knowledge of human resources management principles and practices in all human resources disciplines required.
Experience handling sensitive/confidential information and making sound decisions and recommendations.
Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database applications, data query tools, word processing software, electronic mail, and internet search tools.
Must have experience with self-funded plans, and a command of ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, FLSA, HIPAA, PPACA, Workers’ Compensation and various DOL and IRS requirements.
Track record of successful team leadership and demonstrated influencer across multiple teams
Experience implementing efficient, scalable processes/systems to support rapid growth environment, preferably in organizations growing through acquisition. Experience in leading large-scale projects with heavy change management requirements

Education:

From an accredited institution; Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Human Resources, Business Administration, or Organizational Development required; MBA preferred

Certificates, licenses and registrations:

PHR or SHRM-CP preferred; CEBS certification a plus but not required.

Other:

Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise. For most roles travel would not be common. Travel may involve plane, car or metro. In accordance with ADA policies, reasonable accommodations regarding travel limitations can be provided. Travel will be more common for roles such as Account Executives (25 - 50%), senior leaders (10 – 20%) or Capella Core Faculty (5 – 10%).
Ability to work onsite in Corporate or Campus location (in a typical office environment) may be required based on role. If so, this would include being mobile within the office, including movement from floor-to-floor using elevators or stairs.
If offsite or hybrid role, must have access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
Must be able to meet critical thinking and problem- solving aspects aligned to job duties, as well as effectively communicating with co-workers.
Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant. Accommodations related to schedule may be considered.
Able to access information using a computer.
Other essential functions and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

SEI offers a comprehensive package of benefits to employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week. In addition to medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans, SEI employees may take advantage of well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays, tax saving accounts (FSA, HSA), 401(k) retirement benefit, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance as well as entertainment and retail discounts. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.

Careers - Our Benefits, Strategic Education, Inc

SEI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture where individuals can grow their careers and contribute fully. We strive to attract talent with broad experiences, skills and perspectives. We welcome applications from all. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the pay range at SEI, we offer a competitive salary. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate may vary depending on multiple factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay equity. Our Talent Acquisition Team is ready to discuss your interest in joining SEI. The expected salary range for this position is below.

$130,300.00 - $195,500.00 - Salary

If you require reasonable accommodations to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at Careers@strategiced.com.

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Director, Benefits