Director, Benefits
Houston, Texas | Hybrid | Full-Time
This is a high-profile leadership opportunity for an experienced Total Rewards professional to shape and lead enterprise-wide benefits strategy within a large, complex healthcare environment. Combining strategic leadership, operational oversight, compliance expertise, and workforce engagement, this role offers the chance to directly influence employee experience, organisational performance, and long-term talent retention.
Designed for a senior benefits leader with deep healthcare experience, this position provides significant executive exposure and the opportunity to lead transformative initiatives across health and welfare, retirement, wellbeing, and total rewards programs.
The Opportunity
Reporting into executive Total Rewards leadership, you will oversee the design, implementation, governance, and optimisation of comprehensive employee benefits programs across a large healthcare system.
You will:
Lead enterprise-wide benefits strategy, administration, and compliance initiatives
Design and implement competitive, cost-effective benefit programs aligned with organisational goals
Oversee health and welfare plans, retirement programs, wellness initiatives, and voluntary benefits
Manage relationships with consultants, brokers, actuaries, trustees, and third-party vendors
Ensure compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, IRS, DOL, and healthcare reform regulations
Partner with Compensation, HRIS, and executive HR leadership to deliver integrated Total Rewards strategies
Drive process improvements, automation, and system enhancements across benefits operations
Develop metrics and reporting frameworks to evaluate ROI and program effectiveness
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Benefits team
Support enterprise transformation initiatives focused on employee engagement and workforce strategy
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $160,000 – $200,000
Annual Bonus: 20–30% performance-based bonus potential
Schedule: Full-Time | Hybrid Work Environment
Location: Houston, Texas
Relocation Assistance: Not provided, but candidates must be willing to relocate to Houston
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
Comprehensive Executive-Level Benefits Package Includes:
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Time Off
Additional wellbeing, leadership development, and employee support programs
What Makes This Role Stand Out
Opportunity to lead Benefits strategy within a highly respected healthcare organisation
Significant executive visibility and enterprise-level influence
Broad scope across retirement, health & welfare, wellness, and compliance initiatives
Ability to shape and modernise Total Rewards strategy within a complex healthcare environment
Strong collaborative culture focused on innovation, employee wellbeing, and operational excellence
Opportunity to make a measurable impact on workforce engagement and retention
Candidate Profile
Essential Requirements:
10+ years of experience managing Benefits operations and implementation within healthcare or complex enterprise environments
Strong healthcare industry Benefits experience required
Deep expertise in plan design, evaluation, compliance, and administration across:
Health & Welfare Plans
Pension Plans
401(k) and 403(b) Programs
Life & Disability Benefits
Voluntary Benefits Programs
Strong understanding of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and healthcare reform regulations
Prior HRIS systems experience
Bachelor’s degree in Business, HR Management, or related discipline
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree preferred
CEBS, CBP, or other HR/Benefits certifications highly desirable
Experience with wellness strategy development and implementation
Proven leadership and change management capability
Strong vendor management, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will bring a combination of strategic vision, operational discipline, and leadership maturity, with the ability to balance employee experience, compliance, cost management, and organisational growth within a dynamic healthcare environment.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a Benefits leader seeking a role that offers executive influence, enterprise-wide impact, and long-term career growth within a highly respected and mission-driven organisation.