Impress employers and recruiters.
Choose from hundreds of resume examples.

Impress employers and recruiters.
Choose from hundreds of resume examples.

Target Resume Now

About the Role

The Associate Director, Benefits & 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 strategic leadership and hands-on execution, ensuring programs are competitive, compliant, financially sustainable, and responsive to diverse faculty and staff needs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, administration, and ongoing evaluation of employee benefits programs, including retirement, medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, tuition benefits, flexible spending accounts, workers’ compensation, COBRA, and unemployment.
• Manage all aspects of Open Enrollment, ensuring accurate plan setup, employee education, and a smooth transition.
• Manage vendor relationships, including brokers, carriers, and consultants, and negotiate plan coverage, services, and costs.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA, and ACA.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting benefits and compensation and advise senior leadership.
• Oversee preparation and filing of required reports and documentation with regulatory agencies.
• Prepare, update, and execute benefit plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and related materials.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Serve as the benefits and total rewards lead on cross functional projects.
• Design and implement wellbeing initiatives that support physical, mental, and financial wellness.
• Serve as subject matter expert on benefits and total rewards committees.
• Participate in the quarterly 403(b) Investment Committee.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience 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.
• Advanced proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Skills

• Exceptional attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong 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
• 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

Location

• New York, NY

Work Type

• Hybrid
• Full-time

Experience Level

• Associate Director
• Minimum 5 years

Education Level

• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required
• Professional certifications such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM CP, SHRM SCP, or CEBS preferred

Salary/Compensations

• $130,000 - $140,000

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits programs
• Wellbeing programs
• Compensation programs
• Total rewards programs
• Retirement benefits
• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance benefits
• Tuition benefits
• Flexible spending accounts
• Workers’ compensation
• COBRA
• Unemployment benefits
• Paid Family Leave
• Short term disability
• Long term disability

About the Company

• Barnard College