Director, Benefits & Wellness

Position Title: Director, NA Regional Benefits & Wellness

Reports To: Vice President of Human Resources Americas

Date Last Revised: June 21, 2024

Location: On-site or Remote

Position Summary:

This position is responsible to build a strategy around the company’s health and welfare, and wellness programs by designing, implementing, communicating, and administering these programs in the NA region (US, Canada, and Mexico). In addition, the individual will evaluate current programs to ensure compliance with governmental regulations and competitiveness within the market and our industry. This position has one direct report and one indirect report.

Essential Functions:

• Design and drive the health and wellness multi-year strategy across the Knorr-Bremse NA region that supports the business’ objectives.
• Use financial data, vendor data analytics, voice of the customer (employee) to drive insights to build a benefit vision and strategy that addressed the current needs of both the employer and employee along with addressing the trends in the market for flexibility.
• Ensure that the programs are competitive, optimal for the recruitment, retention, and engagement of our employees along with driving the healthy behaviors and smart consumerism for all levels in the organization (hourly & salary).
• Anticipate market changes and align the strategy for current and future business needs.
• Translate strategies into specific plans for each organizational level by evaluating existing plans and prevalent marketplace approaches; revising existing plans, adopting, or modifying prevalent marketplace approaches; and/or designing entirely new plans.
• Provide consulting interventions, as appropriate, to maximize team effectiveness.
• Business confidante to leadership in benefit program matters and the effects on the business.
• Leader in the decision-making processes from a human resources perspective. Identify the effect of human factors on long-range business planning and new program development to drive organizational effectiveness.
• Supplier relationships:
• Partner with vendors that offer solutions to employee needs and future trends.
• Ensure suppliers have state of the art delivery processes and systems that engage employees and automate processes for both employees and Human Resources.
• Insuring service excellence on all programs and processes, regardless of provider. Manage service provider’s performance (process & systems) to ensure effectiveness and year over year improvements. Ensure day to day problems are resolved efficiently and effectively and manage all process logistics.
• Ensure e-technical capabilities are being built into processes and programs. Work with new technology to improve productivity.
• Marketing / communication:
• Lead the communication strategy that ensure all levels of the organization understand and utilize the benefit programs to the fullest.
• Provide customer service to employees for all benefit-related matters including new hire orientation, annual enrollment, day-to-day questions.
• Design programs and materials that allow for ease in communication.

Bendix Specific:

• Leadership, management, and direction of benefit and wellness programs & processes improvements, including but not limited to the following:
• Health & Welfare Plans, Retirement Plan, Flex Programs.
• Assistance Programs (EAP, Fitness) Convenience Services (Executive Physical program, Cafeteria etc.).
• Paid Time Programs (Disability, Holiday, Severance)
• Wellness Programs (incentives, onsite clinics, education, etc.)
• Leave Administration (FMLA, STD and LTD)
• Service Recognition program
• Lead benefit processes and programs for Bendix CVS, and its affiliates, and integrate the role of benefits and work life programs within a total rewards strategy.
• Lead total remuneration processes and programs for Bendix CVS, in partnership with the Director, Compensation.
• Facilitate due diligence integration planning in acquisition and divestiture business transactions.
• Incorporate federal & state regulations as they apply to benefit programs and ensure compliance with IRS, DOL, COBRA, ACA, ERISA, and State-specific paid leave.
• Maintain compliance with Federal 5500/SAR, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act regulatory reporting.
• Perform financial analysis and reporting of plan costs, with aligned metrics.
• Manage day-to-day billing administration for benefit insurance and other service providers.
• Perform performance and development reviews on staff personnel.
• Ensure human resource effectiveness through the management of key products/services such as human resources delivery systems, budget, compliance, (legal, ISO 9000) and employee benefits.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of preparing and defending business cases
• Demonstrated knowledge in ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA and 5500 filings
• Knowledge of HR regulations and guidelines;
• Knowledge of payroll process and programs
• Knowledge of how strategies and tactics work and affect an organization.
• Working knowledge and application of legal regulations governing benefit practices and programs

Experience:

• 10+ years progressive human resource experience
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and maintaining benefit and wellness systems
• Demonstrated experience in benefit and wellness management and design
• Experience in managing people in positive and developmental way
• Prior experience in change management leadership relative to designing and implementing HR solutions that support the business strategy
• Experience in negotiating with external vendors to best optimize the business needs for best costs

Skills:

• Must be business minded with strong analytical skills, financial forecasting and budgeting knowledge, a strategic thinker and planner with business acumen.
• Outstanding written, oral and presentation skills are essential
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated experience in broad organizational communications/training
• Ability to think strategically and understand business plans, goals, and to relate those plans to compensation and benefit strategies
• Strong HR background in change leadership business related HR solutions, which add value to the business and achieve measurable results on time and within budget
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to motivate, influence and inspire at all levels in the organization
• Process/Project Management Skills
• Interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills with individuals, in a group setting, and in the organization
• Ability to deal with the fluidity of the relationship between compensation, benefits, and work experience elements to help determine where various components will be categorized and supported
• Bias for action and results oriented
• Cross Team facilitation
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs, PC and Web based systems

Education:

• BA/BS – Business or equivalent required
• Advanced degree in Business or Human Resources Management desired
• Certifications in Benefit administration/management optional

Position Requirements:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.