Director, Benefits

Benefits Director

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today's biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us. The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Benefits Director based in Dallas, TX, at our National Center office. This position will work in a hybrid setting (in the office 1-2 days a week and as needed) in our Dallas office. The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally. #TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a forward-thinking, strategic Benefits Leader to develop and execute a comprehensive benefits strategy that aligns with our business goals and supports the evolving needs of our workforce. This role will oversee all aspects of benefits administration, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave policies, and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in benefits design, vendor management, employee engagement, and team leadership. This is a highly collaborative role that partners with HR, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to ensure a best-in-class benefits experience for our employees.

Strategic Benefits Management

• Design and implement a long-term, data-driven benefits strategy aligned with company values and business objectives.
• Conduct benchmarking analysis and market research to ensure benefits offerings remain competitive and attractive.
• Drive annual benefits renewal, vendor negotiations, and plan design improvements.
• Analyze benefits utilization, cost trends, and employee satisfaction data to guide decision-making.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment with company policies and workforce needs.

Vendor & Program Oversight

• Evaluate, select, and manage benefits vendors and brokers, ensuring service quality and cost-efficiency.
• Lead regular business reviews with vendors to ensure alignment with service-level expectations.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local benefits laws (e.g., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA).
• Proactively monitor regulatory changes and implement timely program updates as needed.
• Maintain accurate records, reporting, and disclosures in accordance with compliance standards.

Employee Experience & Communication

• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, communications, and execution.
• Develop employee education initiatives to improve understanding and engagement with benefits programs.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex benefits inquiries or concerns.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of benefits professionals.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development within the team.
• Delegate operational tasks while maintaining strategic oversight of all benefits initiatives.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in human resources or equivalent work experience. Minimum Three (3) years of experience developing and delivering comprehensive health and welfare, leave, retirement, and related benefit programs. Minimum Three (3) years of experience in supervisory, leading, and mentoring benefits staff. Experience, comprehensive knowledge, and skills in HRIS systems such as Workday. Ability to work and communicate with all levels of the organization's leadership with a strong collaborative approach. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong change management and project management skills. Ambition and ability to work well within a multifaceted and growing environment. High attention to detail, customer service oriented, and deadline-driven. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite especially Excel. Proficient with analytics applications such as Google Docs. Proven ability to study, analyze, and understand business problems, and generate solutions; motivated by the challenge of discovering the root cause of issues and crafting simple and sophisticated solutions.

Preferred Experiences

Experience in a non-profit environment. Proficient in Workday HRIS and related systems. HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, CBP, or CEBS.

Compensation & Benefits

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That's why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.
• Benefits We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. HeartU is the Association's national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association's 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the AHA will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment. EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities #AHAIND3