The Director, Benefits is a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive employee benefits programs that align with organizational goals and enhance employee well-being. This hands-on role requires both strategic vision and operational expertise to oversee health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave policies, and wellness initiatives, ensuring compliance, cost-effectiveness, and competitive positioning in the marketplace. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. Develop and execute forward-thinking benefits strategies encompassing health, welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry benchmarks. Oversee the strategic planning and execution of the annual Open Enrollment process, including renewal strategy, employee communications, and educational materials. Build and manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, and third-party vendors to optimize service levels, cost efficiency, and program effectiveness. Collaborate with Finance to forecast and manage benefit budgets. Oversee and ensure appropriate controls are in place to safeguard personnel data, maintain continuity of operations, and maintain data accuracy and integrity Maintain knowledge of HR requirements and regulations affecting human resources functions and ensures policies, procedures and reporting are in compliance Ensures plans are compliant with local, state and federal regulations, including timely and accurate completion of all required government filings, and distribution of required participant plan disclosures. This position leads a team of up to 1-5 regular employees, interns and/or contractors. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems. MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Ten (10) years of progressive experience in benefits administration with five (5) years of people management experience. Deep knowledge of compensation analysis and benefits structures, and benefit regulations, including health care reform (Affordable Care Act - ACA), HIPAA, Workers Compensation, ERISA, etc. Excellent written and verbal communication skills Proven ability to organize and lead a project to completion Effective problem-solving, decision making and critical thinking skills Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate sensitive and confidential matters effectively Ability to maintain strict confidentiality Proven success managing benefits strategies for an employee population of over 8,000 employees Focus on customer satisfaction Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Project, and Visio; Intermediate to advanced Excel user. Experience with benefit module(s) of HRIS applications such as Workday, Ultimate Software, Oracle, etc. Web proficiency Ability to clear required background check Certificates and Licenses: None required. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's Degree in human resources or related field Attainment or pursuit of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) WORK ENVIRONMENT: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This is a home-based position. considers a person's education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position's work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee's salary level. These factors include, but are not limited to, geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions. Eligible employees may receive a bonus. Stride offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off. It is further understood that the at-will nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer. Stride, Inc. is a Federal Contractor, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status age, or genetics, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is further understood that the at-will nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer. If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you can request the appropriate accommodation by contacting stridecareers@k12.com. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities Stride, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants receive consideration for employment based on merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. For more than 20 years, Stride, Inc. has transformed the teaching and learning experience for millions of people by providing innovative, high-quality, tech-enabled education solutions, curriculum, and programs. Stride serves learners of all ages in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. It is the foundation of the human experience and we are proud of our commitment to powering learning, no matter what stage of life you are in. For more than 20 years, we've worked to challenge the idea of one-size-fits-all education and provide personalized, online, lifelong learning at every step of the journey. Above all else, we believe in serving the communities we live in and creating space for all voices therein.