Job Description

Bring your drive for excellence, teamwork, and customer commitment to Independence. Join us as we renew and reimagine the future of health care. Together we will achieve our mission to enhance the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve.

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Director of Retirement and Benefits to lead the design, implementation, and management of our organization's retirement and benefits programs. This role will serve as the primary owner of retirement benefits strategy and execution, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is a thought leader with a proven track record in health benefits management, a deep understanding of retirement plan administration (defined benefits, cash balance and 401K), and the ability to drive innovative solutions that enhance employee engagement and financial wellness

Key Responsibilities:

Direct and oversee a team of 10 HR professionals having accountability for:

Program Ownership and Administration

Overall design, implementation, communication, and administration of the organization's health and welfare benefits programs, COBRA, Disability, ADA, FMLA, Workers Compensation, Ancillary benefits and executive benefits and programs in compliance with federal and state regulations and in support of organizational objectives

The administration of the Qualified and Non-Qualified 401(k) retirement plans, the defined benefit pension plans, including all regulatory and compliance related tasks associated with these plans and their administration

The overall design, implementation, communication, and administration of the organization’s retiree and board benefit plans serving ~500 individuals in support of the organization’s strategic objectives ensuring all regulatory and compliance obligations are met.

The overall design, implementation, communication, and administration of the organization's strategic associate wellness program to drive effectiveness, cost containment, and address overall associate wellbeing, chronic conditions, and gaps in care intended to improve behaviors, create a culture of wellness, and reduce overall health care costs

The overall design, contract negotiations, implementation, communication, and administration University Partnership education programs to develop, grow, expand, and maintain both the undergraduate and graduate programs offered to our associates through multiple universities and colleges.

Directs and oversees the administration of all Qualified Domestic Relation Orders in accordance with our qualified and non-qualified plans for both the defined benefit pension and 401(k) plans

Strategic Leadership

Fiduciary accountability for all monthly benefits billing and bi-weekly STD payroll and tuition reimbursement

Plan Administrator for the Independence Blue Cross Health and Welfare plan – active and retiree

Designs strategic wellness programs and rewards to align with strategic objectives and educate and motivate population to adapt and maintain a well-rounded healthy lifestyle and improve the overall health of associates and their families

Develops strategies to manage and mitigate risk related to STD/FMLA utilization

Subject matter expert for all benefits of new company partnerships and benefit plan design customization where appropriate to meet subsidiary needs

Directs and oversees the Health and Welfare Benefits Appeals Committee

Directs and oversees all benefit related vendor management, contract negotiation, renewals, and service level agreements

Compliance and Risk Management

Directs team responsible for ensuring compliance with Federal regulations, including, but not limited to, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and proper and timely administration of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), IRS regulations, and Department of Labor (DOL) as well as non-discrimination testing and federal filings

Develops annual action plans to mitigate risk and lower medical utilization designing and implementing strategic alternatives that promote wellness and healthy lifestyle behaviors   

Directs and oversees the vendor management, administration, and regulatory/compliance requirements of Qualified and Non-Qualified pension with assets in excess of $600 million and 401(k) plans with assets in excess of $500 million

Employee Engagement and Communication

Responsibility for the onsite fitness center, its programs, and its staff of 6 to promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity to the associates of Independence Blue Cross

Monitor best practices and market trends related to wellness, benchmarking and identifying opportunities to improve strategy and design and enhance programs and initiatives in place to achieve optimal behaviors to promote a healthy lifestyle and desired business results

Directs and oversees the implementation of benefit policies and practices to drive a self-service culture where appropriate ensuring compliance and regulatory requirements are met

Data Analysis and Reporting

Continuously monitor, evaluate, and analyze the effectiveness of current benefit programs and develops strategy to enhance and improve their impact in the best interest of the organization as well as the associate experience

Directs and oversees annual benchmarking studies to identify lower/alternative health and welfare options and participates and leverages industry surveys to prepare recommendations to the Pension Committee for approval to implement

Directs and monitors benefit programs budget; partners with IBX’s Sales division/external administrators in researching, analyzing, evaluating, designing and administering benefits plans and programs

Directs and oversees analysis and reporting related to Health and Welfare benefits and utilization

Directs and oversees the implementation of appropriate measurements and metrics of benefit plan design to develop a culture of continuous improvement

Team Leadership and Collaboration

Directs staff/associates on interpretation of plan design; oversight of the implementation of seminars and other benefit informational meetings for employee and retiree populations

Coach a team of 10 professionals and actively facilitate their development

Partners with HR Leadership and Executive team in setting the benefit plan design, strategy, and direction for all Health and Welfare and Retirement benefits

Partners with senior leaders throughout the organization to develop and define strategies to address external support of educational needs through certificate programs with local universities to achieve optimal business results

Other related duties and projects as assigned

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; Master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., CEBS, SPHR, CRPS, or CFP) preferred but not required

10+ years of experience in benefits administration, with a strong focus on retirement plans – especially defined benefit pension plans
In-depth knowledge of ERISA, ACA, FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA as well as IRS and DOL regulations governing retirement and health plans

Proven ability to develop and execute strategic benefits programs that balance organizational goals and employee needs

Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of an organization

Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating contracts to ensure optimal service and cost efficiency

Independence has implemented a “Hybrid” model which provides our associates with the ability work in the office 3 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) and remotely 2 days a week (Monday & Friday). This role is designated as a role that fits into the “Hybrid” model. While associates may work remotely, the work must be performed in the Tri-State Area of Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

Independence Blue Cross is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or disability.

Must have an Android or iOS device which is compatible with the free Microsoft Authenticator app.

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