Director of Total Rewards

Job Description

OUT THE ROLE

The Director of Total Rewards will lead the strategy, administration, and ongoing improvement of the Firm’s employee benefits programs. This role will serve as the Firm’s senior benefits subject matter expert, overseeing health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave administration, wellness initiatives, and related employee programs.

Working closely with Firm leadership, the Chief People Officer, Finance, Legal, Payroll, and external advisors, the Director will ensure that benefits programs remain competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with the needs of attorneys, partners, and business professionals. The Director will oversee day-to-day benefits operations while also driving long-term program strategy, vendor performance, process improvements, and employee communications.

This position will manage and develop the benefits team and serve as a trusted advisor to Firm leadership on benefits strategy, regulatory requirements, plan design, costs, and emerging market trends.

BENEFITS STRATEGY & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

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• Develop and execute the Firm’s overall benefits strategy, ensuring programs support recruitment, retention, employee engagement, and the Firm’s broader people objectives.
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• Lead the design, evaluation, and ongoing administration of U.S. health and welfare programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, HSA programs, and other voluntary benefits.
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• Regularly evaluate benefit offerings, utilization, employee feedback, market data, and cost trends to identify opportunities for enhancement and ensure programs remain competitive within the legal and professional services markets.
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• Partner with senior leadership and Finance to establish annual benefits budgets, forecast program costs, and monitor monthly spending and plan performance.
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• Develop recommendations for plan design changes, contribution strategies, and new programs based on workforce needs, competitive intelligence, and financial analysis.
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• Oversee annual open enrollment, including plan changes, employee communications, vendor coordination, system configuration, and issue resolution.
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• Ensure benefits information, policies, plan documents, and employee resources remain accurate and accessible.
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• Establish service standards and processes that provide attorneys, partners, and employees with a high level of benefits support.
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RETIREMENT PROGRAMS

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• Provide strategic oversight of the Firm’s retirement offerings, including 401(k), cash balance/pension programs, and other applicable retirement arrangements.
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• Partner with Finance, Legal, retirement consultants, and plan advisors on plan design, compliance, fiduciary matters, and long-term program strategy.
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• Oversee annual retirement plan activities, including audits, government filings, nondiscrimination testing, required notices, and regulatory submissions.
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• Monitor developments from the Department of Labor, IRS, PBGC, and other regulatory agencies and assess their impact on the Firm’s retirement programs.
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• Work with ERISA counsel and external advisors to ensure plans are administered in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
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• Support Benefits and Retirement Committees by preparing recommendations, financial analysis, plan performance information, and other materials required for effective governance.
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LEAVE & WELL-BEING PROGRAMS

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• Oversee the Firm’s leave programs, including FMLA, short- and long-term disability, parental leave, military leave, state and local paid leave requirements, and other statutory or Firm-sponsored leave programs.
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• Ensure leave policies and administration remain compliant with federal, New York State, and New York City requirements.
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• Partner with HR, Payroll, Legal, and benefits vendors to resolve complex leave cases and ensure appropriate documentation and communication.
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• Maintain consistent processes and controls for benefits eligibility, leave administration, return-to-work activities, and benefit continuation.
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• Provide strategic direction for employee well-being initiatives encompassing physical, emotional, financial, and mental wellness.
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• Evaluate emerging well-being programs and market practices and recommend initiatives that provide meaningful value to employees and the Firm.
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VENDOR & CONSULTANT MANAGEMENT

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• Serve as the primary relationship owner for benefits brokers, consultants, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, retirement providers, and other benefits vendors.
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• Lead vendor selection and review processes, including RFPs, renewals, contract negotiations, service evaluations, and performance assessments.
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• Establish measurable service expectations and hold vendors accountable for quality, responsiveness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
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• Review vendor performance and identify opportunities to improve service delivery, reduce costs, and streamline benefits administration.
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• Coordinate with external advisors and counsel on complex benefits, compliance, and plan administration matters.
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COMPLIANCE & GOVERNANCE

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• Maintain oversight of compliance with applicable federal, state, and local benefits regulations, including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, New York State requirements, and New York City mandates.
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• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and translate changes into actionable recommendations for Firm leadership.
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• Ensure required plan notices, disclosures, filings, audits, and documentation are completed accurately and on schedule.
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• Partner with Legal and external benefits counsel on complex regulatory, fiduciary, and plan-related matters.
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• Maintain appropriate documentation, controls, procedures, and audit processes for all benefits programs.
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• Identify compliance risks and implement corrective actions when necessary.
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ANALYTICS, BUDGETING & REPORTING

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• Use benefits utilization, claims, enrollment, workforce, and market data to evaluate program effectiveness and identify trends.
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• Prepare regular reporting for Firm leadership, Finance, the People team, and applicable committees.
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• Analyze benefits costs and develop financial models to support plan design and strategic recommendations.
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• Track annual and monthly benefits expenditures and partner with Finance on forecasting and reconciliation.
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• Establish meaningful metrics to measure program participation, cost effectiveness, vendor performance, and employee satisfaction.
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• Identify opportunities to improve benefits operations through technology, automation, and process redesign.
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EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION & SUPPORT

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• Develop and oversee communications that clearly explain the Firm’s benefits offerings, eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, and program changes.
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• Lead communications and education initiatives surrounding annual enrollment and significant plan updates.
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• Create resources and training materials for employees, managers, HR professionals, and Firm leadership.
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• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex or sensitive benefits matters.
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• Partner with HR Business Partners and other People teams to ensure consistent and accurate benefits information is communicated throughout the Firm.
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• Promote employee understanding and effective utilization of the Firm’s benefits programs.
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TEAM LEADERSHIP

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• Lead, mentor, and develop the benefits team, establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations, and service standards.
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• Provide coaching and ongoing professional development to team members.
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• Build a collaborative, service-oriented team culture focused on accuracy, responsiveness, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.
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• Evaluate team structure and resources to ensure the benefits function can effectively support a sophisticated and high-volume law firm environment.
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• Establish efficient workflows and cross-training practices to maintain business continuity.
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ABOUT YOU

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• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline required; advanced degree or relevant professional certification preferred.
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• 7-10+ years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits, with significant experience leading benefits strategy and administration.
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• Demonstrated expertise across health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave administration, compliance, vendor management, and benefits communications.
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• Prior experience leading a benefits function and managing or developing benefits professionals.
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• Law firm, legal services, financial services, consulting, or other professional services experience strongly preferred.
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• Experience supporting a sophisticated workforce of attorneys, partners, and professional/business staff is highly desirable.
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• Strong knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, and applicable New York State and New York City benefits requirements.
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• Experience managing 401(k) and other qualified retirement programs, including plan governance, audits, compliance testing, and regulatory filings.
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• Strong analytical and financial skills, with the ability to evaluate plan costs, utilization, vendor performance, and market data.
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• Excellent vendor negotiation and relationship-management skills.
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• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits and compliance matters clearly to employees, attorneys, executives, and Firm leadership.
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• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
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• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, complex projects, and time-sensitive deadlines in a fast-paced professional environment.
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• Strategic and solutions-oriented leader who can balance long-term benefits strategy with hands-on operational oversight.
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• Strong judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive employee and benefits matters.
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• Proficiency with HRIS, benefits administration platforms, Microsoft Excel, and related reporting tools.
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The Phoenix Group Advisors is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. We strive to attract talented individuals from all backgrounds and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.