Director, Benefits

Please note that this position is based in San Diego CA. Acadias hybrid model requires this role to work in our office on average three days per week.

Position Summary:

In this role youll lead the strategy design governance and execution of Acadias U.S. Canada and select global benefits leave retirement wellness and relocation programs. The role plays a key part in ensuring that all programs are competitive compliant financially sustainable and aligned with Acadias talent and culture strategy while delivering a high-quality employee experience. Youll partners closely with People Business Partners (PBPs) HRIS Payroll Legal Finance Talent Acquisition and external vendors to ensure operational excellence regulatory compliance and continuous improvement across the employee lifecycle.

Primary Responsibilities:

Benefits Strategy & Program Design

• Lead the strategic design evaluation and evolution of U.S. and Canada health & welfare retirement wellness leave and relocation programs to support talent attraction retention and engagement
• Ensure benefit offerings remain competitive compliant costeffective and aligned with company values and business priorities
• Contribute to the longterm People & Performance roadmap including systems vendor strategy and program scalability

Benefits Operations & Administration

• Oversee daytoday administration and vendor management for:
  • Health and welfare plans
  • 401(k) and Canada RRSP plans
  • Leaves of absence and disability programs
  • COBRA administration
  • Wellness initiatives and funding
  • Relocation program administration
• Ensure accurate enrollment eligibility management premium deductions vendor billings and reconciliations
• Own and optimize the Benefits Enrollment via HRIS ensuring data integrity testing reporting accuracy and positive enduser experience
• Partner with HRIS Payroll and vendors to ensure seamless integrations across systems and processes

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable U.S. Federal State Local and Canadian health welfare leave and retirement regulations
• Oversee timely completion of all required filings and reporting including but not limited to:
  • Form 5500 filings
  • ACA reporting
  • PCORI
  • State required filings
  • Required employee notices and disclosures
• Maintain all plan documentation (plan documents amendments SPDs) and ensure ERISA and statutory compliance
• Serve as a key partner to Legal on benefitsrelated compliance risk and audit matters

Leave of Absence ADA & Employee Support

• Provide strategic oversight of all leave of absence programs (U.S. and Canada) ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and Acadia policy
• Administer and ensure compliance with the ADA interactive process; partner with managers People Business Partners Legal and leadership on accommodation decisions
• Oversee the Acadia Parental Leave Pay (PLP) program including employee guidance payroll coordination and payment accuracy
• Serve as a subjectmatter expert for escalated employee manager and PBP inquiries related to benefits leaves and accommodations

Wellness & Financial WellBeing

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to design and implement wellness and wellbeing programs that support physical mental and financial health
• Manage the annual Cigna Wellness Fund including budgeting governance and utilization reporting
• Collaborate with Finance and vendors on cost tracking trend analysis and longterm benefit cost projections

Communication & Change Enablement

• Lead the development of clear engaging and compliant employee communications related to benefits open enrollment and program changes
• Partner with vendors and the Engagement Team to deliver multichannel communications and education
• Oversee benefits content in new hire orientation benefits websites and internal communication platforms

Education Experience & Skills

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business Administration or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 10 years of progressive benefits experience including 56 years in a leadership or management capacity
• Strong experience administering and governing:
  • Health & welfare programs
  • 401(k) and/or retirement plans
  • Leaves of absence and disability programs
  • ACA and government reporting requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in biotech pharmaceutical or highgrowth technology environments
• International and multicountry benefits experience
• Deep knowledge of California and multistate leave regulations
• Demonstrated ability to partner with executive leaders and navigate complex employee relations issues

Core Skills

• Strategic thinking paired with strong operational execution
• Vendor and systems management expertise
• Financial and analytical acumen related to benefit costs and trends
• Exceptional collaboration judgment and discretion with sensitive matters
• Strong communication and change management capabilities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and enterprise HR systems
• Oversees the strategic design development and implementation of U.S and Global health and welfare plan program and modification as necessary to ensure benefit plans are competitive compliant and meet service level standards

Physical Requirements:

This role involves regular standing walking sitting and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach climb balance stoop kneel crouch andmaintainvisual verbal and auditory communication in a standard officeenvironment andwhile working independently from remote locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedules or business needs.

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