Associate Director, Benefits & Total Rewards

Job:
Associate Director, Benefits & Total Rewards

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the
Associate Director for Benefits and Total Rewards is responsible for the design, administration, and continuous improvement of the College’s
comprehensive benefits, wellbeing, compensation, and total rewards programs. This role provides both strategic leadership and hands-on
execution, ensuring that programs are competitive, compliant, financially sustainable, and responsive to the diverse needs of faculty and
staff.

The Associate Director is a highly detail-oriented, service-driven professional who works collaboratively across Human
Resources, Finance, Labor Relations, and partner offices including the Office of General Counsel. The role requires a strong work ethic,
sound judgment, and a supportive approach, particularly as it relates to compensation, classification, and salary administration within a
complex higher education environment.

Job Description:

Benefits Strategy and Plan Administration

• Oversee
  the design, administration, and ongoing evaluation of the College’s employee benefits programs, including retirement, medical, dental,
  vision, disability, life insurance, tuition benefits, flexible spending accounts, workers’ compensation, COBRA, unemployment, and related
  programs
• Partner with Human Resources leadership and Finance to ensure benefits programs are cost effective, competitive, and
  aligned with institutional priorities
• Manage all aspects of Open Enrollment, ensuring accurate plan setup, employee education, and a
  smooth transition from one plan year to the next
• Research, analyze, and recommend benefit plan enhancements based on market trends,
  utilization data, regulatory changes, and employee needs
• Modify and enhance benefit programs using higher education best practices
  and emerging benefit models
• Manage vendor relationships, including brokers, carriers, and consultants, and negotiate plan coverage,
  services, and costs

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local
  regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA, ACA, and related requirements
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments
  impacting benefits and compensation and advise senior leadership on risks, impacts, and recommended actions
• Oversee preparation and
  filing of required reports and documentation with regulatory agencies, including the IRS and Department of Labor
• Prepare, update,
  and execute benefit plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and related materials in consultation with legal counsel
• Ensure
  timely, accurate, and well documented implementation of compliance driven plan changes

Leave, Disability, and Accommodation
Administration

• Manage all employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, Paid Family Leave, workers’ compensation, short term
  disability, and long term disability
• Oversee third party leave administrators, ensuring high quality, responsive, and compliant
  service delivery
• Maintain appropriate communication with employees and managers during leaves to support clear expectations and
  successful return to work
• Oversee return to work processes following extended leaves
• Facilitate ADA and other accommodation
  requests in partnership with Human Resources colleagues and legal counsel

Compensation and Total Rewards

• Provide
  subject matter expertise and support related to compensation, classification, and salary administration
• Advise Human Resources on
  salary, classification, and job evaluation matters
• Manage and administer compensation studies and compensation policies and
  procedures, including job evaluations, reclassifications, salary structures, and equity reviews
• Support annual compensation
  planning, including merit, promotional, and structural adjustments
• Partner with Labor & Employee Relations and leadership on
  compensation and benefits scenarios related to collective bargaining
• Contribute to the development of a holistic total rewards
  strategy that integrates compensation, benefits, wellbeing, and employee experience

Project Management and Committee
Participation

• Serve as the benefits and total rewards lead on cross functional projects, including automation of benefits
  billing, reporting, and leave processes
• Design and implement wellbeing initiatives that support physical, mental, and financial
  wellness and strengthen employee engagement alone and with campus partners, including, for example the LeFrak Center for
  Well-Being
• Serve as subject matter expert on benefits and total rewards committees, including the Joint Faculty and Administrators
  Benefits Committee
• Participate in the quarterly 403(b) Investment Committee in collaboration with Human Resources, Finance, faculty
  representatives, and investment advisors

Communication and Customer Service

• Develop clear, accurate, and accessible
  communications related to benefits, compensation, and total rewards programs
• Serve as lead content developer for benefits and total
  rewards communications, including Open Enrollment materials
• Provide high quality, responsive customer service to faculty and staff
  on complex and sensitive issues
• Continuously improve service delivery models with a focus on clarity, equity, and employee
  experience

Team Leadership and Management

• Oversee and develop benefits and compensation staff
• Delegate
  effectively, manage performance, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence
• Set clear expectations and
  support professional growth through coaching and feedback
• Perform special projects and related duties as assigned by the Director of
  Human Resources

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional
  attention to detail with strong analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills
• Ability to communicate complex benefits and
  compensation concepts clearly and compassionately to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet
  deadlines, and work with urgency in a fast paced environment
• Strong customer service orientation with a supportive, collaborative,
  and solutions focused approach
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment
• Ability to build trust,
  influence stakeholders, and work effectively across functions
• Advanced proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office
  applications

Required Qualifications

• Significant progressive experience (minimum 5 years) working directly with
  complex employee benefits administration
• Experience with compensation, classification, or total rewards programs strongly
  preferred
• Demonstrated experience advancing complex programs through collaboration with multiple stakeholders

Preferred
Qualifications

• Professional certifications such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM CP, SHRM SCP, or CEBS
• Experience in higher education
  or similarly complex organizations
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required

Work Arrangement

• This job is
  currently a hybrid position and may require a presence in the office up to five times a week, including for team and full staff meetings and
  other times as directed by the supervisor.

Salary Range: $130,000 – $140,000

This job description is intended as a
summary of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all
duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or of all qualifications that may be required either now or in the
future.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited
to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the
College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Company:
Barnard College

Time Type:
Full time