HR Program Manager

About Us


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.

Job Profile


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.
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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:
o Compliance requirements
o Program integrity and consistency
o RFPs, vendor selections, and contract negotiations
Ensure clear separation between policy ownership (BSG) and administration (MyHR)
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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:
o Process ownership
o Service expectations and SLAs
o Escalation pathways for complex Tier 2 cases
Establish audit frameworks and monitor adherence to defined processesMonitor operational performance and identify:
o Breakdown points
o Process inconsistencies
o Opportunities to reduce handoffs and improve employee experience
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3. Analytics, Reporting, and Insights
Compile and analyze data across:
o Plan metrics
o Vendor performance
o Employee 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 organizations goal of more accurate reporting and improved benefits performance outcomes ________________________________________
4. Program Leadership & Implementation
Lead enterprise benefits initiatives from concept through implementation
Manage:
o Timelines
o Deliverables
o Cross-functional coordination (HR, Finance, vendors)
Support implementation of:
o New benefit programs
o Plan design changes
o Vendor transitions
o System/process enhancements
Ensure alignment with enterprise priorities and resource capacity
Annual Enrollment Strategy & Execution
o Leads enterprise Annual Enrollment strategy, planning, and execution across Benefits, HRIS, Payroll, Communications, and vendors
o Develops and manages the end-to-end project plan, including system testing, readiness milestones, and go-live execution
o Oversees data validation, payroll testing, and enrollment readiness activities
o Coordinates employee engagement strategy, including vendor fairs and communication campaigns
o Ensures post-enrollment reconciliation and reporting accuracy
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5. Communication & Change Management
Develop and execute communication strategies for benefits programs and changes
o Work with Communications Partners to create: Employee-facing materials
o Training resources for MyHR teams
o SNOW Knowledge Article Management
o 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

Enhance employee knowledge and understanding of benefits programs
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6. Policy, Process, and Continuous Improvement
Develop and maintain:
o Policies
o Procedures
o Desk guides
o Workflow documentation
o Employee Resources
Evaluate end-to-end processes and recommend improvements to:
o Increase efficiency
o Reduce 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
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7. Stakeholder Engagement
Partner with:
o HR leadership
o Finance
o MyHR Operations
o HR Partners
o External vendors
Represent Benefits on committees, workgroups, and strategic initiatives
Influence alignment across teams without direct authority
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Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelors degree in HR, Business, Healthcare Administration, Finance, or related field required
Masters degree preferred
Experience
5+ years of experience in:
o Benefits / Total Rewards
o HR program or project management
o Analytics or strategy roles
Strong experience in:
o Benefits plan design or administration
o Complex process environments
o Cross-functional program execution
Experience working in shared services or tiered service delivery models strongly preferred
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Strong understanding of benefits strategy, administration, and operating models
Advanced analytical skills with ability to translate data into insights and action
Ability to connect strategy policy process execution
Strong systems/process mindset (ServiceNow, HRIS workflows, vendor ecosystems)
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Ability to operate in ambiguity and drive clarity
High level of discretion with sensitive information
Strong understanding of regulatory requirements impacting employer-sponsored benefits (ACA, COBRA, HIPAA)
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Reporting Structure
Reports to: Director, Benefits Strategy & Governance
Peer role: Sr. HR Program Manager
Part of a lean, strategic BSG team focused on enterprise impact


Benefits & EEOC
No job description available


Job Category


Professional