Director, Employee Benefits Communications Job in Oakland, California US
Director, Employee Benefits Communications
Director, Employee Benefits Communications Oakland, CA The Communications Director is responsible for ensuring employees and new hires are educated in a way that they can actively and effectively understand and make informed decisions about their employee benefits, including health, welfare and retirement benefits. The role is specifically responsible for developing communications strategies and programs, and overseeing the related tactics for numerous, highly complex employee engagement programs utilizing various methodologies and media. Where regional partners or outside vendors are engaged to do the same, the role will serve as a partner (for the regions) or supervisor (for the outside vendors) of the activities, ensuring employee engagement activities are appropriate to the audience, are coordinated and support the strategic direction of Kaiser Permanente's benefits programs and plans. Specific areas of focus include: - Strategy - Works closely with internal staff (National Employee Benefits leadership and regional Benefits and HR leaders) to understand company and regional benefits strategy (including how to increase total health), and the communications campaigns necessary to engage and support employees in the management of their employee benefits. Actively consults and advises on the effect of benefit plan design changes on communications, whether government mandated or initiated by regional partners or HR leadership. - Research - Interacts with the appropriate internal and vendor staff and industry sources and conducts own research to determine the most effective messaging and methodologies to accomplish communication objectives. - Implement/Manage - Supervises other personnel or suppliers implementing communications campaigns. Maintain a service-based culture. Ensures that all department employees understand their responsibilities and are providing service in line with expectations and commitments. Establish objectives and development activities for all staff annually. Evaluate progress and regularly provide feedback and coaching to employees on behavior and progress toward objectives to ensure they are successful. - Special Projects - Lead and/or participate in special projects as needed. Qualifications: Basic Qualifications: - Leadership role requiring 10 or more years of Communications consulting and leadership experience within the Retirement Plan Services/ Employee Benefits market (NOT negotiable). - Excellent organizational skills with a proven track record in the delivery of complex and custom communications aimed at a variety of audiences of union represented and non-represented employees. - Excellent writing and editing skills and experience required. - Proven experience in overseeing the development and execution of Benefits Compliance communications including SMMs, SPDs, and other regulatory documents. - Thorough knowledge of print production cycle and processes required. - Responsible for strategic direction of new communications products / services and staying current regarding new media trends and the evolving needs of the clients. - Manage a staff that includes writers, graphic designers and other professionals. - Sets and oversees quality assurance standards. - Strong sense of teamwork, collaboration, leadership, integrity and forward thinking. - Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications or related field (English, Public Relations, and/or Business Communications) or equivalent experience. Preferred Qualifications: - Familiarity with ERISA, IRS and DOL benefit communications requirements strongly preferred. - Demonstrated knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat preferred. - Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop preferred. - Experience in developing and implementing web-based communications campaigns and web-based delivery of benefit information and enrollment strongly preferred. - Master's degree preferred.