Vice President, Benefits & Compensation

Vice President, Benefits & Compensation (Total Rewards)

Human Resources

Location: New York City Hybrid

ICR, one of the most highly regarded strategic communications and capital markets advisory firms, is seeking a strategic, detail-oriented Total Rewards, Benefits & Compensation leader to join our Human Resources team. This role owns the strategy, administration, compliance, and vendor management of ICR's employee benefits and leave programs, ensuring a high-quality employee experience and compliance with federal and state regulations.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated strategic thinker who manages multiple priorities with accuracy, exercises sound judgment and discretion, and communicates complex benefits information clearly. This role requires driving strategic initiatives while maintaining strong day-to-day execution in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits-related inquiries, responding in a timely manner.
• Own new hire, qualifying life event, and annual Open Enrollment processes, including system configuration, communications, and reconciliation.
• Manage employee leave programs (FMLA, disability, parental, statutory, and company-sponsored) in partnership with third-party vendors.
• Maintain benefits data in the HRIS, SharePoint, and other systems, ensuring accuracy and alignment.
• Manage 401(k) administration, including recordkeeping, funding, and coordination with the recordkeeper and auditors.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state benefits legislation, and support audits, regulatory reporting, and testing.
• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, and vendors, negotiating plans and holding partners accountable to service levels and compliance requirements.
• Help design, implement, and improve benefits programs, including health insurance, wellness, and retirement plans.
• Review benefit invoices and perform regular audits to ensure accuracy.
• Research and resolve issues involving benefit eligibility, enrollment, and payroll deductions.
• Manage the COBRA process for terminations and ineligible dependents.
• Partner with Payroll on benefits, salary, and leave updates to ensure accurate processing.
• Standardize and improve benefits and leave processes, policies, and procedures.
• Develop employee communications and education to build awareness and engagement with benefits programs.
• Manage firmwide wellness program, including events and reimbursements.
• Support additional HR initiatives as needed.

Qualifications and Expectations:

• 7 – 10+ years of progressive experience administering and managing employee benefits programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Solid working knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements, including HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, ERISA, FMLA, ADA, DOL, and IRS.
• Experience with 401(k) plan administration.
• Demonstrated experience leading U.S. benefits renewals and annual open enrollment.
• Experience managing benefits brokers, carriers, leave administrators, and other third-party vendors, including leave programs such as FMLA, disability, and parental leave.
• Experience transitioning fully insured plans to self-funded models.
• Experience supporting benefits implementations, HRIS migrations, or system optimization initiatives.
• Experience with HRIS and/or benefits administration platforms (Paylocity, Workday, etc.).
• Exposure to payroll processes, with a willingness to cross-train and provide backup support.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with Human Resources, Payroll, and Legal.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-informed recommendations.
• Proven ability to identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, managing multiple priorities independently.
• Strong client-service orientation, managing sensitive employee matters with discretion and empathy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain complex benefits information clearly.
• High level of judgment, ethics, integrity, and attention to detail in handling confidential information.
• Ability to balance strategic initiatives with day-to-day execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with international benefits programs.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits:

• Base salary:$120,000 - $150,000 based on experience and skillset
• A discretionary annual bonus
• Comprehensive health plans
• 401K with company matching
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible time off