Senior Director, Benefits and Compensation

SUMMARY

Berklee is the world’s leading institution for the study of music, dance, and theater, offering transformative educational programs ranging from performance, production, and composition to business, education, music therapy, music and culture grounded in the Africa diaspora, and other disciplines. Its innovative curriculum blends contemporary and classical training with emerging technology and creative entrepreneurship, providing students with unparalleled resources to excel in their creative pursuits. Since its founding in Boston, Berklee has evolved into a global community, now home to over 8,000 students from more than 100 countries and connected by a network of 84,000+ alumni.

Comprising Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee NYC, Berklee Valencia, Berklee Abu Dhabi, and the Division of Pre-College, Online and Professional Programs, the institution's dedication to empowering the world's most inspired artists and creative entrepreneurs through arts education is reflected in the work of Berklee's students, faculty, and alumni — who have earned more than 3,000 award nominations, received more than 300 Grammys and 100 Latin Grammys, and won numerous Oscars, Emmys, and Tonys.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and serving as a member of the Human Resources leadership team, the Senior Director of Benefits and Compensation is a key advisor to leadership, faculty and staff throughout Berklee on health, welfare, retirement benefits and compensation. This position is responsible for the design, assessment, analysis, evaluation, and financial management of all benefits programs and, in close collaboration with the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, provides analysis reporting, benchmarking and consultation on compensation matters.

• Provide senior management with data-driven analysis and recommendations for retirement offerings, including defined benefit pension and 403(b) plans.
• Research and synthesize industry best practices and trends in retirement plan design to benchmark Berklee’s current offerings.
• Work closely with benefit brokers, retirement actuaries, ERISA experts, and other external constituents to ensure proper reporting and compliance.
• Audit and ensure the effectiveness of existing benefits plans, policies and procedures.
• Provide regular claims reporting, ensuring leadership is apprised of claims activity as it relates to budgeting.
• Track and report on national trends, industry trends.
• Research and analyze competitive health, welfare retirement and wellness practices to ensure that our programs are current, competitive, and flexible.
• Perform regular job analysis and benchmark positions to the market. Produce annual benchmark pay recommendations.
• Lead the planning, coordination, facilitation, administration, and reporting of the annual executive salary review program.
• Serve as a partner to executives by providing guidance, education and coaching on compensation processes, guidelines, job descriptions, position evaluation and regulatory issues and compliance.
• Develop and maintain standardized and updated position specifications.

• Oversee $46 million benefits budget and the delivery of all associated programs within budget.
• Responsible for the administration of all health, welfare, retirement, and time-off and wellness programs to ensure alignment with best practices.
• In partnership with Retirement plan partners, design, plan and co-lead quarterly Retirement Committee meetings.
• Provide consultation and interpretation on benefit and leave related union contract matters; Provide guidance throughout union contact negotiations.
• Manage operational relationships with third-party service providers, including brokers, TPAs, and record keepers.
• Maintain data integrity between Workday HRIS, payroll systems, and external vendors.
• Ensure the effectiveness of all benefits and compensation policies, guidelines and procedures while recommending plan revisions and new plans that are consistent with compensation trends and organizational objectives.

• Research and analyze competitive compensation practices to ensure that our programs and practices are current, competitive, and flexible.
• Oversee regular job analysis and benchmark positions to the market. Produce annual benchmark pay recommendations.
• Lead the planning, coordination, facilitation, administration, and reporting of the annual executive salary review program.
• Serve as a partner to executives by providing guidance, education and coaching on compensation processes, guidelines, job descriptions, position evaluation and regulatory issues and compliance.
• Develop and maintain standardized and updated executive position specifications.

• Serve as the primary lead for regulatory compliance, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, and FLSA.
• Execute mandatory government filings, non-discrimination testing, and 5500 reporting.
• Monitor emerging federal, state, and local laws to ensure all notifications, disclosures, and posters remain current.

• Partner with the HR team to develop and execute communication strategies that make complex benefits easy for faculty and staff to understand.
• Design and deliver presentations on benefits and compensation related topics for various stakeholders.
• Update and maintain digital benefits content, including website materials and educational resources.
• Provide individualized counseling on benefits matters to faculty, staff and beneficiaries
• Serves as a member of the Boston Consortium of Schools; representing Berklee on benefits matters.
• Provide guidance, direction and oversight to a team of three benefits and compensation professionals, ensuring opportunities for continued learning and skill development.

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• CEBS, CFP, ARM-E, CCP, SPHR, or equivalent subject-appropriate professional credentials preferred.
• 8+ years Human Resources leadership experience in employee benefits administration, with demonstrated knowledge and experience in design and administration of health, welfare, retirement and wellness plans.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, coordinating and executing compensation programs.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, PHI/PII, COBRA, PFMLA, ERISA, and ACA compliance and associated federal and state regulations.
• Experience with fully insured and self-insured health and welfare plans.
• Defined benefit plan and 403B experience and knowledge is required.
• Experience administering employee benefits and compensation in a union environment is desirable.
• Demonstrated superior knowledge of subject-appropriate federal and state laws, regulations, and administrative best-practices.
• Demonstrated superior data analysis and quantitative skills; superior written and oral communication skills; and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and consistent strong quality of work.
• Superior data analysis and project management skills.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines, prioritize, and work on multiple projects simultaneously with great efficiency and attention to detail.
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization, including most senior executives.
• Ability to think strategically, with a progressive approach to understanding best practices in order to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse faculty and staff population.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ease in presenting complicated information in an easy to understand manner; high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle sensitive, personal information with the highest degree of confidentiality.
• High level of integrity, strong collaborative spirit, willingness to tackle complex matters with a strong sense of calm and professionalism.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion in challenging situations.
• Expert computer skills. Strong Proficiency at using Microsoft Office, specifically Microsoft Excel for data analysis. Workday HRIS experience required.
• Ability to create presentations to inform, persuade, or update leadership on benefits renewals, or total rewards strategies.

Staff