HR Program Manager

Harris Health is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. At Harris Health, we prioritize the well-being of our most valuable asset--our people--ensuring a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in serving Harris County's most in need. With integrity and accountability at our core, we commit to 'leading with love', embodying our dedication to quality care, education, and a steadfast respect for every individual's contribution to our mission. HR Program Manager ' Benefits Strategy & Governance Job Summary The HR Program Manager ' Benefits Strategy & Governance (BSG) serves as a strategic partner to the Director of Benefits, supporting the design, governance, implementation, and performance of enterprise benefits programs. This role operates within a centralized Benefits Strategy & Governance function responsible for plan design, vendor management, policy ownership, compliance oversight, and strategic initiatives, while MyHR Service Center teams administer benefits operations through a tiered service delivery model. This role is essential to maintaining alignment between Benefits strategy, regulatory requirements, and operational execution within a complex, multi-system environment. The Program Manager plays a critical role in:'Translating strategy into executable frameworks' 'Driving program performance and continuous improvement' 'Providing analytical insights to inform decision-making' 'Ensuring operational alignment with MyHR' This position is intentionally strategic and analytical in nature, with limited involvement in day-to-day transactions. Key Responsibilities 1. Benefits Strategy, Plan Design, and Governance 'Partner with Benefits leadership to support plan design, program strategy, and long-term roadmap development 'Develop and maintain policies, and administrative standards for all benefits programs 'Lead vendor governance framework, including performance reviews, service delivery expectations, and issue resolution 'Partner with Finance and consultants on cost management, renewals, and financial performance of benefits programs 'Support oversight of: oCompliance requirements oProgram integrity and consistency oRFPs, vendor selections, and contract negotiations 'Ensure clear separation between policy ownership (BSG) and administration (MyHR) 2. MyHR Operations Liaison (Critical Function) 'Serve as the primary liaison between BSG and MyHR Service Center teams 'Translate strategy and policy into clear, executable operational processes 'Define and maintain: oProcess ownership oService expectations and SLAs oEscalation pathways for complex Tier 2 cases 'Establish audit frameworks and monitor adherence to defined processesMonitor operational performance and identify: oBreakdown points oProcess inconsistencies oOpportunities to reduce handoffs and improve employee experience 3. Analytics, Reporting, and Insights 'Compile and analyze data across: oPlan metrics oVendor performance oEmployee experience trends 'Work with Leadership, HR Partners and Consultants to develop dashboards, reports, and executive-level presentations 'Deliver data-driven recommendations to improve plan performance and operational efficiency Support the organization's goal of more accurate reporting and improved benefits performance outcomes 4. Program Leadership & Implementation 'Lead enterprise benefits initiatives from concept through implementation 'Manage: oTimelines oDeliverables oCross-functional coordination (HR, Finance, vendors) 'Support implementation of: oNew benefit programs oPlan design changes oVendor transitions oSystem/process enhancements 'Ensure alignment with enterprise priorities and resource capacity 'Annual Enrollment Strategy & Execution oLeads enterprise Annual Enrollment strategy, planning, and execution across Benefits, HRIS, Payroll, Communications, and vendors oDevelops and manages the end-to-end project plan, including system testing, readiness milestones, and go-live execution oOversees data validation, payroll testing, and enrollment readiness activities oCoordinates employee engagement strategy, including vendor fairs and communication campaigns oEnsures post-enrollment reconciliation and reporting accuracy 5. Communication & Change Management 'Develop and execute communication strategies for benefits programs and changes 'Work with Communications Partners to create: Employee-facing materials Training resources for MyHR teams SNOW Knowledge Article Management Leadership communications 'Support adoption and minimize disruption during transitions and implementations 'Ensure clear ownership and accountability for roles and responsibilities between BSG and MyHR Service Team 6. Policy, Process, and Continuous Improvement 'Develop and maintain: oPolicies oProcedures oDesk guides oWorkflow documentation oEmployee Resources 'Evaluate end-to-end processes and recommend improvements to: oIncrease efficiency oReduce duplication 'Strengthen controls to Identify and address gaps introduced by organizational change 'Support governance and oversight of regulatory compliance, including ACA/PPACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable requirements 7. Stakeholder Engagement 'Partner with: oHR leadership oFinance oMyHR Operations oHR Partners oExternal vendors 'Represent Benefits on committees, workgroups, and strategic initiatives 'Influence alignment across teams without direct authority Minimum Qualifications Education 'Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Healthcare Administration, Finance, or related field required 'Master's degree preferred Experience '5+ years of experience in: oBenefits / Total Rewards oHR program or project management oAnalytics or strategy roles 'Strong experience in: #J-18808-Ljbffr