Associate Director, Benefits & Total Rewards (New York)

Associate Director, Benefits & Total Rewards

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Associate Director for Benefits and Total Rewards is responsible for the design, administration, and continuous improvement of the College's comprehensive benefits, wellbeing, compensation, and total rewards programs. This role provides both strategic leadership and hands-on execution, ensuring that programs are competitive, compliant, financially sustainable, and responsive to the diverse needs of faculty and staff.

The Associate Director is a highly detail-oriented, service-driven professional who works collaboratively across Human Resources, Finance, Labor Relations, and partner offices including the Office of General Counsel. The role requires a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a supportive approach, particularly as it relates to compensation, classification, and salary administration within a complex higher education environment.

Job Description:

Benefits Strategy and Plan Administration

• Oversee the design, administration, and ongoing evaluation of the College's employee benefits programs, including retirement, medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, tuition benefits, flexible spending accounts, workers' compensation, COBRA, unemployment, and related programs
• Partner with Human Resources leadership and Finance to ensure benefits programs are cost effective, competitive, and aligned with institutional priorities
• Manage all aspects of Open Enrollment, ensuring accurate plan setup, employee education, and a smooth transition from one plan year to the next
• Research, analyze, and recommend benefit plan enhancements based on market trends, utilization data, regulatory changes, and employee needs
• Modify and enhance benefit programs using higher education best practices and emerging benefit models
• Manage vendor relationships, including brokers, carriers, and consultants, and negotiate plan coverage, services, and costs

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA, ACA, and related requirements
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting benefits and compensation and advise senior leadership on risks, impacts, and recommended actions
• Oversee preparation and filing of required reports and documentation with regulatory agencies, including the IRS and Department of Labor
• Prepare, update, and execute benefit plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and related materials in consultation with legal counsel
• Ensure timely, accurate, and well documented implementation of compliance driven plan changes

Leave, Disability, and Accommodation Administration

• Manage all employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, Paid Family Leave, workers' compensation, short term disability, and long term disability
• Oversee third party leave administrators, ensuring high quality, responsive, and compliant service delivery
• Maintain appropriate communication with employees and managers during leaves to support clear expectations and successful return to work
• Oversee return to work processes following extended leaves
• Facilitate ADA and other accommodation requests in partnership with Human Resources colleagues and legal counsel

Compensation and Total Rewards

• Provide subject matter expertise and support related to compensation, classification, and salary administration
• Advise Human Resources on salary, classification, and job evaluation matters
• Manage and administer compensation studies and compensation policies and procedures, including job evaluations, reclassifications, salary structures, and equity reviews
• Support annual compensation planning, including merit, promotional, and structural adjustmentsPartner with Labor & Employee Relations and leadership on compensation and benefits scenarios related to collective bargaining
• Contribute to the development of a holistic total rewards strategy that integrates compensation, benefits, wellbeing, and employee experience

Project Management and Committee Participation

• Serve as the benefits and total rewards lead on cross functional projects, including automation of benefits billing, reporting, and leave processes
• Design and implement wellbeing initiatives that support physical, mental, and financial wellness and strengthen employee engagement alone and with campus partners, including, for example the LeFrak Center for Well-Being
• Serve as subject matter expert on benefits and total rewards committees, including the Joint Faculty and Administrators Benefits Committee
• Participate in the quarterly 403(b) Investment Committee in collaboration with Human Resources, Finance, faculty representatives, and investment advisors

Communication and Customer Service

• Develop clear, accurate, and accessible communications related to benefits, compensation