OPEN JOB: Director, Benefits
LOCATION: McLean, Virginia
BASE SALARY: $166,000 to $248,000
**Bonus Eligible
**Relocation Assistance Available
INDUSTRY: Financial Services - Mortgage
JOB CATEGORY: Benefits / Compensation Planning
***Candidates can get up to 6 weeks per year approved to work remotely and during Summer Fridays, candidates can work remotely on those Fridays.

FIRM: Financial Services - leader in the secondary mortgage industry

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Someone with demonstrated experience leading benefits strategy, design and execution. 
• Proven ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution - candidates must be comfortable setting strategy and ensuring their team delivers flawless execution. 
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with all levels of the organization, specifically senior leadership (CHRO, DFO, President, CEO).

POSITION OVERVIEW:

• We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Benefits to lead the design, evolution, and administration of the organizations benefits program.
• This leader will be responsible for developing the strategic direction for our benefits program steeped in comprehensive, competitive, cost-effective offerings aligned to business objectives. 
• This leader will shape the organizations benefits strategy and lead a team committed to operational excellence, delivering seamless administration, full compliance, and a positive employee experience.
• The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the evolving benefits landscape, a proven track record in strategic benefits planning, the ability to deliver operational excellence through strong team leadership, and exceptional skills in cross-functional collaboration.
   

Responsibilities:
BENEFITS STRATEGY:

• Develop annual and long-term benefits vision and strategic roadmap, aligning with Freddie Mac’s business objectives and long-term talent strategy.
• Oversee competitive benchmarking, market intelligence, and assessment of emerging benefits trends, technologies, and industry innovations
• Evaluate workforce demographics, health data, and overall benefit program utilization patterns to design benefit strategies that optimize health outcomes, retirement savings opportunities, employee experience, cost management, and competitive positioning.
• Develop recommendations for senior leadership on benefit investments, plan design, and transformational initiatives.

VENDOR STRATEGY & PARTNERSHIPS:

• Lead vendor strategy and the selection of strategic partners (401(k), medical/dental/vision carriers, PBMs, etc.) that deliver measurable value at a competitive cost.
• Maintain collaborative partnerships with vendors to drive innovation, outcomes measurement, and excellence in service delivery and cost outcomes.
• Negotiate benefit contracts and service agreements that optimize financial terms, performance accountability, and strategic flexibility.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE & PLAN ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP:

• Lead team to deliver consistently excellent benefit plan administration.
• Manage significant benefits budget, updating cost forecasting, and financial performance; partner with Finance and actuarial consultants to optimize retiree medical funding approaches, model scenarios, and demonstrate value for investment.
• Champion continuous improvement in processes, systems, and service delivery.
• Oversee team managing annual enrollment strategy and execution with clear communication and high employee engagement.

BENEFIT PLAN DESIGN & GOVERNANCE:

• Guide the evolution of benefit plan design to balance value, choice, affordability, and fiscal responsibility.
• Maintain governance structures, policies, and decision-making frameworks that ensure consistent, equitable, legally compliant benefit delivery and mitigate risks through proactive oversight
• Ensure all plans comply with federal, state, and local regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).

LEADERSHIP:

• Lead a high-performing benefits team, coach team members to elevate their capabilities, take ownership of outcomes, and deliver results that exceed standards.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, continuous learning, and service quality.
• Be positioned to manage any future benefits transformations, ensuring stakeholder alignment, effective communication, and successful adoption across the company.
• Serve as a thought leader and trusted advisor to senior HR leadership, and cross-functional partners on overall benefits strategy and industry trends; represent Freddie Mac externally through participation in industry forums, coalitions, roundtables, and advisory councils.

KEYS TO SUCCESS:

• Demonstrated, extensive experience leading benefits strategy, design and execution.
• Extensive experience with vendor selection, contract negotiation, and performance management in the benefits space.
• Proven ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution—candidates must be comfortable setting strategy and ensuring their team delivers flawless execution.
• Strong track record of building and leading teams to achieve both strategic and operational excellence.
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state benefits legislation (e.g. ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA) and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and financial management skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with all levels of the organization, specifically senior leadership (CHRO, CFO, President, CEO).
• Proven leadership, coaching, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with self-insured health plans, retiree medical actuarial valuation processes, and claims analytics.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 15+ years of continuous experience in employee benefits
• 7-10 years focused on benefits strategy, design, and administration for a large, complex organization
• People management experience
• Ability to present to senior leadership
• Extensive experience with vendor selection, contract negotiation, and perf mgt in benefits space
• Professional certification such as CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) or similar is preferred

If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please respond back and include the following:

• MS WORD Resume
• required compensation.
• Contact information.
• Availability

 
Upon receipt, one of our managers will contact you to discuss the position in full detail.


Stephen Fleischner
INTERMEDIA GROUP, INC.
Email: sfleischner@intermediagroup.com
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefleischner/