Director/Sr. Director, Benefits

Job Title: Director/Sr. Director, Benefits Department: Human Resources Country: United States of America State/Province: Arkansas City: Lowell Full/Part Time: Full time Job Summary: The Director / Senior Director of Benefits provides strategic leadership for employee benefits and leave programs, including health and welfare, retirement, wellbeing, and leave of absence. This role builds on an established foundation to continuously enhance program design, service delivery, and the overall employee experience. This leader sets governance and strategic direction, partners across the enterprise and with external vendors, and leads a high-performing team accountable for program performance, financial stewardship, and operational excellence—while championing an employee-first culture focused on wellbeing and engagement. Job Description: Strategy & Program Leadership - Lead the strategy, design, administration, and optimization of benefits programs (health & welfare, retirement, wellbeing, and leave) - Align offerings with business objectives, talent strategy, and evolving employee needs - Serve as a trusted advisor to HR and business leaders on plan design, cost drivers, and market trends - Conduct benchmarking and competitive analysis to maintain best-in-class offerings Financial Management & Analytics                                                                      - Develop and manage benefits budgets, forecasts, and long-term projections - Analyze financial and operational performance, including trend analysis and ROI for programs and vendors - Drive data-informed decisions through metrics, analytics, and reporting Vendor & Governance Oversight - Lead vendor and broker strategy, selection, and performance management - Oversee contracts, service-level agreements, and governance routines - Manage RFPs, market checks, and ongoing vendor optimization Compliance & Risk Management - Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and ADA - Maintain and update policies and procedures to reflect regulatory changes - Partner with Legal, Finance, and external advisors on audits, filings, and governance Operations & Execution - Oversee benefits administration, eligibility, enrollment, billing, and data integrity - Lead annual renewals and open enrollment, including project management, communications, and system readiness. Partner with Marketing and HRIS - Ensure strong internal controls and accurate, timely program delivery Retirement & Leave Programs - Provide oversight of retirement plans (e.g., 401(k)), including governance, vendor management, and employee education - Lead leave of absence programs (medical, parental, statutory), including policy alignment, vendor oversight, and escalations - Coordinate closely with Payroll, HR Business Partners, and HRIS Technology & Process Improvement - Partner with HRIS and Payroll to optimize system configurations and integrations - Drive automation, process improvements, and enhanced reporting capabilities Employee Experience & Communications - Develop and execute a comprehensive benefits communication strategy across the employee lifecycle in partnership with Marketing. - Ensure materials are clear, accessible, and aligned with employee needs - Act as the escalation point for complex issues while maintaining a high-quality employee experience Leadership & Collaboration - Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team - Set performance goals and manage resources effectively - Partner with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders (Finance, Legal, Payroll, HRBPs, Communications) - Regularly engage executive leadership to drive strategic outcomes Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field - 6+ years of progressive experience in benefits or total rewards, or 10+ years of equivalent combined education and experience Preferred Qualifications - Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field - 8+ years of benefits/total rewards experience - 5+ years of people leadership experience - CEBS or related certification preferred Experience & Skills - Deep expertise in benefits program design and administration within large, complex organizations - Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA) - Experience managing retirement plans and leave of absence programs - Proven success leading open enrollment and renewal processes - Strong vendor management and negotiation experience (brokers, carriers, TPAs, PBMs) - Executive presence with experience presenting to senior leadership - Strong analytical and financial acumen (budgeting, forecasting, ROI modeling) - Ability to influence and collaborate across all organizational levels - Exceptional communication skills, including simplifying complex information - Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving abilities - High level of discretion and confidentiality Additional Information The level of this role will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience and may be aligned as Director I, Director II, or Senior Director in accordance with internal guidelines. This position is not eligible for employment-based sponsorship. Compensation: Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include skills, education, experience, geography, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.  This position may be eligible for annual bonus and incentives based on profitability or volumes in accordance with the terms of the Company’s bonus and incentive plans, as applicable and in effect from time to time. Benefits: The Company offers the following benefits for full-time positions, subject to applicable eligibility requirements, as may be in effect from time to time: medical benefit, dental benefit, vision benefit, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, paid time off commensurate with tenure (includes vacation and sick time), six weeks of paid maternity leave along with two weeks of paid parental leave, and six paid holidays annually. Education: Bachelors: Business Administration/Management, Bachelors: Communications Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Bachelors: Psychology, GED (Required), High School (Required), Masters: Business Administration/Management, Masters: Communications Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Masters: Psychology Work Experience: Business Administration, Human Resources, Management-Mid Level Job Opening ID: 00621668 Director/Sr. Director, Benefits (Open) “This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.” J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. is committed to basing employment decisions on the principles of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, persons with disabilities, protected veterans or other bases by applicable law.