Director, Benefits and 401(k) Operations

Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you’ll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you’ll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!

The Director of Benefits and 401(k) operations will be responsible for operational excellence in leading the administration and service delivery of benefits and 401(k) plans.

• Directs hire-to-retire processes related to administration of health & wellness plans, spending accounts, income protection plans, voluntary benefits, and 401(k) plans
• Leads and develops a team of benefits, 401(k), and compliance professionals by providing strategic direction and ensuring that the team is engaged
• Ensures processes are compliant with all legal and government regulations, Company policies and procedures, internal quality standards, and Sarbanes-Oxley controls
• Establishes and enforces quality controls on payroll runs, vendor interface files, benefits invoices, and accruals
• Manages the performance of vendor partners relative to service level agreements ensuring that services delivered are high quality and cost effective
• Measures key performance metrics to continuously monitor operational performance and takes corrective action
• Collaborates with Labor Relations on implementing Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions and with benefit committees in each of the unions
• Partners with finance and accounting to determine health and welfare funding, and budgeting for each plan year; approves benefits invoices
• Ensures compliance with global and local requirements, such as ACA, ERISA, and HIPAA, as well as other state and federal requirements
• Develops tools and communication materials that increase employee engagement

Minimum Qualifications - Education & Prior Job Experience

• Demonstrates the highest standards of personal ethics and integrity
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience; Advanced degree preferred
• 7 years of experience in leadership roles
• 5 years of experience successfully implementing large-scale and complex projects
• Experience in human resources, benefits administration, or related field preferred
• Extensive experience with vendor management
• Understanding of collective bargaining agreements
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results while simultaneously managing multiple priorities
• Strong decision-making and organizational skills, with the ability to optimize the use of all available resources and deliver on multiple priorities
• Skilled in stakeholder management, as well as proven ability to build and facilitate relationships at all levels of the organization, both internally and externally
• Exceptional analytical and problem resolution skills
• Ability to influence through outstanding interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing, and complex environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to effectively and clearly communicate a strategic and tactical vision to all levels within the organization, as well as with external agencies and business partners
• Believes in and promotes the American Airlines five leadership attributes:
  • Caring – we care about all team members
  • Collaboration – We succeed as a team
  • Development – We build future leaders
  • Results – We drive to be the best
  • Future – We continually challenge the status quo

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer:

• Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
• Health Benefits: On day one, you’ll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that’s just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more.
• Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself – that’s why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
• 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
• Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more.

From the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Employee Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world.

Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life’s journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.