Director of Benefits

Director of Benefits at Buckingham Search Director of Benefits at Buckingham Search in Harwood Heights, Illinois Posted in 5 days ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

A global, manufacturer is seeking a Director of Benefits to lead and evolve its total rewards offering across North America and beyond. This is a highly visible role partnering closely with senior leadership to design programs that are competitive, compliant, and aligned to business performance. This leader will own the strategy and execution of health, welfare, and retirement programs while shaping a global wellbeing approach that supports a diverse and distributed workforce. The environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and focused on building programs that scale. What You'll Own Lead the end-to-end design and execution of U.S. and Canada benefits programs, ensuring alignment with business goals and market competitiveness Partner with executive leadership on annual strategy, plan design, and cost management , including vendor selection and renewals Oversee all vendor relationships , holding partners accountable for performance, service delivery, and innovation Direct the annual open enrollment process , ensuring accuracy, communication effectiveness, and a strong employee experience Build and scale a global wellbeing strategy in partnership with regional stakeholders across North America, EMEA, and APAC Act as a trusted advisor to HR and leadership , translating complex regulations and trends into actionable insights Manage escalations and ensure a high standard of employee support and service delivery Partner cross-functionally with HRIS, Payroll, and HR Operations on systems, reporting, and process improvements Lead and develop a high-performing benefits team , driving execution across multiple concurrent initiatives Ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations (ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA), proactively monitoring legislative changes and impact Maintain and strengthen data privacy and HIPAA practices , including training and governance Conduct market benchmarking and analytics , using data to inform program enhancements and long-term strategy What You Bring 10+ years of progressive experience in benefits strategy and administration , including team leadership Deep expertise across health & welfare, retirement, and global benefits frameworks Strong understanding of U.S. benefits regulations and compliance requirements Experience working in complex, multi-region environments with global stakeholders Proven ability to balance strategy and execution - equally comfortable in the details and at the leadership table Strong vendor management and negotiation experience Experience with HR systems (e.g., UKG, SuccessFactors or similar platforms) Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence and educate across all levels of the organization Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment High level of discretion and judgment when handling sensitive information Why This Role Opportunity to build and shape global programs , not just maintain them High visibility with leadership and direct impact on employee experience and retention A collaborative, people-first culture with strong momentum and growth A role for someone who wants to be both strategic and hands-on