Benefits Director

Role Overview The Director, Benefits – North America, is a senior Total Rewards leader responsible for shaping and delivering the benefits strategy for employees across the United States and a close partner on benefits delivery for Mexico. This position oversees Health & Welfare, Absence, Wellbeing, Compliance, and vendor management, ensuring programs are market-competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with the company’s global Total Rewards philosophy. This leader serves as the strategic point of contact for complex benefits topics, partners closely with HR, Finance, Legal, and business leaders, and ensures operational excellence in all benefit plan administration. Strategic Leadership Develop and execute a multi‑year North America benefits strategy aligned with global Total Rewards priorities and organizational goals. Serve as a senior advisor to HR and business executives on all matters related to employee benefit programs. Monitor market trends and regulatory developments to develop proactive recommendations. Program Management & Design Lead design, evaluation, and administration of health & welfare plans, leave/absence policies, wellness initiatives, and ancillary benefit programs. Oversee U.S. compliance requirements, including ERISA, ACA, IRS/DOL regulations, HIPAA, and COBRA. Drive annual benefits renewal, open enrollment strategy, and communication planning. Lead benefits strategy for hourly union manufacturing populations. Partner with Labor Relations to support union hourly benefits in alignment with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), including Cost modeling and scenario planning for negotiations Plan development and competitive analysis Implementation governance and ongoing administration of negotiated changes Ensure appropriate differentiation and consistency across union and non-union plants/sites while respecting local labor agreements and market realities. Oversee relationships with carriers, brokers, consultants, and technology partners to ensure best-in‑class service delivery and cost management. Lead RFPs, contract negotiations, performance guarantees, and ongoing vendor governance. Manage benefit program budgets, forecasts, and financial analysis, including rate development, trend evaluation, and cost containment initiatives. Lead and develop a team of benefits professionals. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Employee Experience & Communication Partner with Communications, HRBPs, and Total Rewards COEs to deliver clear, engaging employee‑facing materials. Ensure consistent experience and governance across all locations and business units. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work across HRIS, Payroll, Legal, and Finance teams to ensure seamless operational delivery Act as a core participant in cross‑regional Benefits and Total Rewards forums Required Qualifications 10+ years of progressive experience in Benefits or Total Rewards, including large‑scale U.S. plan responsibility. Deep working knowledge of U.S. benefits law (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, etc.). Experience in a highly unionized environment Demonstrated strength in strategic planning, vendor management, and financial/actuarial acumen. Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills. Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Smurfit Westrock plc