Full Time
Director of Benefits Operations and Systems
Health Benefits - Cleveland, Ohio
Director of Benefits Operations and Systems
Position Summary
The Director of Benefits Operations and Systems is responsible for the strategic administration, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement of the Diocese’s employee benefit programs. This role provides leadership for benefits operations, systems administration, data management, compliance activities, and process improvement initiatives while ensuring exceptional service to fellow employees, parishes, schools, and diocesan entities.
The Director serves as the department’s subject matter expert for benefits technology platforms, reporting, data integrity, and operational workflows. The position works closely with Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, Information Technology, vendors, and external consultants to ensure efficient and compliant administration of all benefit programs.
This position serves as the owner of benefits data governance, eligibility validation, and internal audit processes to ensure all eligible employees are properly enrolled, ineligible individuals are not receiving benefits, and benefit plan records remain accurate across all systems.
Essential Responsibilities
Benefits Administration and Compliance
- Oversee the day-to-day administration of health, dental, vision, life, disability, pension, flexible spending, and other employee benefit programs.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations including ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, and Section 125 requirements.
- Coordinate annual open enrollment activities and ongoing employee benefit communications.
- Serve as a primary liaison with benefit carriers, brokers, consultants, and third-party administrators.
- Support internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of findings and recommendations.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and operational documentation.
Benefits Systems and Technology
- Serve as the functional owner for all benefits administration systems, including HRIS and benefits enrollment platforms.
- Lead system implementations, upgrades, integrations, testing, and process enhancements.
- Ensure data accuracy and integrity between payroll, HRIS, benefits administration, and vendor systems.
- Identify automation opportunities that improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance the employee experience.
- Develop system controls and reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance and operational effectiveness.
Data Analytics and Reporting
- Develop and maintain recurring operational, financial, and compliance reports.
- Analyze benefits utilization, enrollment trends, claim activity, and workforce demographics.
- Create executive-level dashboards and recommendations to support strategic decision making.
- Utilize advanced Excel and reporting tools to validate data, identify trends, and improve business outcomes.
- Support budget planning and forecasting activities through data analysis and reporting.
- Process Improvement and Operational Excellence
- Evaluate existing workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer service.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using data-driven methodologies.
- Establish and monitor departmental performance metrics and service standards.
- Develop standardized procedures and internal controls to support scalability and consistency.
- Partner with Finance, Payroll, and HR leadership to streamline cross-functional processes.
Leadership and Team Development
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development for benefits team members.
- Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.
- Deliver positive and effective written and verbal communication to fellow employees, vendors, and benefits participants
- Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service.
- Lead departmental projects and cross-functional initiatives.
- Assist with succession planning and staff development efforts.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, Finance, or related field.
- Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience in benefits administration, HR operations, HRIS, or related disciplines.
- Three (3) or more years of leadership or supervisory experience.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, Power Query, complex formulas, and data validation techniques.
- Experience managing HRIS and benefits administration systems.
- Demonstrated success leading process improvement initiatives.
- Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
Preferred
- CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or similar professional certification.
- Experience with Paycor, bswift, or similar HRIS and benefits administration platforms.
- Experience in healthcare, education, nonprofit, religious organizations, and/or other complex multi-location environments.
- Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews, and vendor management activities.
- Experience developing executive dashboards and operational metrics.
Application: employment-application-diocese-of-cleveland-253.pdf