FirstDay Foundation ยท 2 days ago
Director of Benefits Administration
San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
8+ years expFirstDay Foundation is a charitable organization that provides philanthropic grants and management and governance services to other nonprofit organizations. The Director of Benefits Administration is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of all employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives.
CharityCommunitiesNon ProfitSocial ImpactUnderserved Children
No H1B
Responsibilities
Develop and implement comprehensive benefits strategies in alignment with organizational goals and workforce demographics
Lead initiatives to introduce new offerings or revise existing programs such as retirement plans, health insurance, wellness initiatives, and voluntary benefits
Analyze benefits usage data, costs, and market trends to evaluate effectiveness and competitiveness
Present recommendations to leadership on program modifications and enhancements
Direct benefits budget planning, forecasting, and cost management to maintain fiscal health
Conduct regular cost-benefit analyses and trend reporting
Ensure accurate financial reconciliation of benefits billing and vendor invoicing
Identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining quality and competitiveness
Provide monthly and quarterly financial metrics and reports to leadership
Manage relationships and negotiate contracts with brokers, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and service providers to ensure competitive and cost-effective offerings
Conduct regular vendor performance reviews and hold providers accountable for service level agreements
Evaluate new vendors and alternative solutions to optimize program delivery
Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and other benefits-related laws
Oversee preparation and timely filing of required government reports (Form 5500, 1095-C, non-discrimination testing, etc.)
Audit procedures to safeguard organizational compliance
Direct day-to-day operations including enrollment processes, eligibility management, life event changes, and leave administration
Ensure data integrity across all benefits systems and platforms
Partner with CIS Department to ensure benefits plans are configured correctly in HRIS and benefits administration software and employees can access and enroll in eligible plans seamlessly
Oversee reconciliation of benefits billing, premium payments, and vendor invoicing
Provide day-to-day leadership for their direct staff/ team by setting clear goals, defining roles, and aligning work to department priorities
Coach, develop, and evaluate staff through regular 1:1s, feedback, and documented performance goals
Recognize achievements and address gaps promptly
Establish and maintain SOPs, workload/capacity planning, and an escalation/on-call rhythm to ensure coverage, quality, and compliance
Promote a respectful, inclusive, and accountable team culture that values transparency, continuous improvement, and cross-training so every critical process has a trained backup
Develop and implement comprehensive employee benefits communications strategies
Create clear, engaging materials for new hire orientation, open enrollment, ongoing plan changes, and educational campaigns
Coordinate scheduling with retirement plan providers for monthly employee education sessions and individual appointments
Plan and execute annual open enrollment periods for both fiscal year and calendar year benefit cycles
Serve as primary escalation point for complex benefits inquiries and resolve issues with professionalism and accuracy
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program effectiveness, employee satisfaction, and operational efficiency
Monitor benefits utilization patterns, participation rates, and cost trends
Implement process improvements and leverage technology to enhance service delivery
Conduct regular audits of benefits data, documentation, and processes
Build and maintain strong relationships with employees, leadership, HR business partners, Finance, and external vendors
Represent the organization in benefits-related forums, conferences, and professional networks
Foster positive relationships with plan participants and respond to concerns with empathy and solutions-oriented approaches
Serve as subject matter expert on benefits-related questions for HR team and organizational leadership
Participate in HR strategic planning initiatives and cross-functional projects
Lead or participate in benefits-related task forces, committees, or working groups
Stay current with industry best practices through professional development, certifications, and continuing education
Available to respond to urgent benefits issues or crises outside regular business hours when necessary
Other job duties as assigned by VP of Benefits & Employee Wellness
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required
Minimum of 8 years in employee benefits management, including at least 5 years in a leadership role
Direct experience managing comprehensive benefits programs, vendor relationships, and regulatory compliance
Proven track record in benefits strategy, cost management, and cross-functional collaboration
In-depth knowledge of employee benefits programs and all applicable federal and state laws and regulations (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, etc.)
Expertise in benefits strategy, plan design, and financial analysis
Proficiency with HRIS and benefits administration software (e.g., Workday, ADP, BenAdmin, or similar platforms)
Strong analytical, financial management, and data analysis skills with ability to translate complex data into actionable insights
Excellent negotiation and vendor management capabilities
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills with ability to explain complex benefits topics to all levels of the organization
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) to create sophisticated analyses, documents, and presentations
Strategic thinking combined with operational excellence
A high degree of integrity and discretion when handling confidential employee information
Ability to work under minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment in complex situations
Presents and maintains professional appearance and demeanor
Maintains active participation in relevant professional organizations (e.g., SHRM, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with benefits industry trends
Willingness to travel up to 25% with valid driver's license
Must pass pre-employment background check
Preferred
Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MPA, MHRM) preferred
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-SCP, or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) strongly preferred
Benefits
Comprehensive, competitive benefits programs that promote their health, financial security, and overall well-being.
Health insurance
Retirement plans
Leave programs
Wellness initiatives
Company
FirstDay Foundation
FirstDay Foundation is a charitable organization that provides philanthropic grants and management and governance services.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Wright Hartsell
Chief Medical Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase