Director, Employee Benefits and Retirement

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

Total Rewards

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

Job Description:

Summary:

The Director of Benefits & Retirement is responsible for the strategic development and management of comprehensive benefits, insurances, and retirement programs for the university. The Director will be responsible for providing competitive benefits programs (health & welfare, insurance, and retirement,) and support for 2,900 faculty, staff and retirees. The Director will also facilitate the development of the Annual Open Enrollment, Digital Transformation of the Total Rewards Department, Leave Administration, Tuition Remittance, and effective communication of Benefits Programs, and their evolution.

The Director provides overall leadership and direction for benefits planning and administration for university faculty, staff and retirees.  They recommend policy, oversee the benefits operations, and directly manage benefits administration. The Director plans, negotiates and administers all University benefits and retirement programs and initiatives; develops long range and current planning proposals for budget; serves as contract liaison between insurance carriers, mutual fund companies, and consulting firms and university offices of procurement and finance; prepares and presents critical research and trend data and analyses on benefits; reviews and evaluates new and existing laws and regulations for benefits compliance; and designs and implements ongoing initiatives to enhance benefits at American University.

Essential Functions:

1.) Benefit Program Development and Oversight

• Oversee the development and management of competitive benefits programs to include Medical, Dental, Vision, and Rx benefits; Basic Life, AD&D, Optional Life and additional Insurances; Leave Administration, Tuition Remittance, and effective communication of Benefits Programs to support equity, wellness and legal compliance.

• Design and implement a comprehensive, data-driven benefits strategy that aligns with the organization’s mission, goals, and workforce needs.

• Ensure the strategy remains competitive within the higher education industry and relevant labor markets to attract and retain top talent.

• Regularly assess the effectiveness of benefits programs and market data, and recommend adjustments to address market trends, employee satisfaction, and budget considerations.

• Oversee the education, communication and implementation of the annual benefits analysis process, engagement with the Benefits Advisory Project Team as well as the Benefits Working Group, the annual Open Enrollment and new Hire Enrollment processes and technologies and maintenance and access to benefits escalations and questions.

2.) Management of Benefit Programs

• Manage and provide competitive benefits (health and welfare, wellness, and retirement) programs and support systems for faculty, staff and retirees.

• Maintain effective communication with faculty and staff about benefits. 

• Provide overall leadership, direction and oversight for all university benefits planning and administration.

• Recommend policy.

• Plan, negotiate and administer all University benefits programs and initiatives. 

• Develop long range and current planning proposals, including budget impact. 

• Serve as liaison between carriers and university offices of procurement and finance on contracts and coverage wit