James Heffernan
Director, Benefits and Well-Being
Salinas,CA
Summary
Strategic-thinking individual experienced in turning Benefits and Well-Being programs into best in industry. Experienced Benefits Administrator skilled in finding providers, setting up plans and coordinating programs. Solid understanding of documentation, recordkeeping and compliance requirements. Advanced organizational, problem-solving and relationship-building skills developed over 20+ year career. Proven skills in benefits administration, employee relations and application coordination. Knowledgeable about program changes, enrollment periods and contract negotiation. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Dedicated Benefits and Well-Being professional with history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Benefits and Well-Being
Granite Construction Inc.
07.2016 - 01.2023
- Created annual budget and developed comprehensive plan to accomplish company objectives while staying within budget.
- Over 7 year period, avg. annual budget below 3% and flat for 2023.
- Created and communicated a comprehensive Emotional Well-Being program using existing programs.
- Successfully integrated several acquisitions into the Benefits/Well-Being program and a key participant in a divestiture.
- Hired and directed teams to achieve daily and long-term operations and business goals.
- Successfully led 401(k) Committee with fiduciary and compliance requirements for a $750M defined contribution plan.
- Established performance goals for each department employee and provided feedback on methods for successfully achieving those goals.
- Collaborated with multiple business units to successfully implement Workday Benefits module.
- Created "marketing" strategy to promote best-in-class Benefits and Well-Being program in construction industry.
- Provided documentation of processes to comply with regulations and company policies.
- Developed impactful and strategic partnerships with HR Business Partners to drive business requirements.
- Served as subject matter expert in answering questions from colleagues regarding benefits.
- Coordinated leave of absence process and supervised proper tracking and documentation.
- Functioned as main point of contact for benefit vendors and consultants.
- Participated in design and ongoing management of benefit plans.
Sr. Global Benefits Manager
Calix, Inc.
08.2014 - 07.2016
- Directed and administered a comprehensive 401K, medical, dental and vision benefit package.
- Successfully launched a new Global Benefits Plan designed to eliminate inefficiencies with 22 different individual plans in 14 different countries.
- Created new Well-Being program that included: Biometric Screenings/HRAs, series of five webinars including financial wellness series, quarterly on-site massage and an annual Well-Being fair.
- Successfully transitioned open enrollment from mid-year to end of year to accommodate improved communication and better timing for business operations.
- Key participant in Workday Benefits and Time and Attendance module roll-outs.
- Delivered payroll administration and defined contribution retirement plan record-keeping requirements.
- Directed and administered a comprehensive 401K, medical, dental and vision benefit package.
- Audited benefit programs and agreements to optimize service delivery.
- Kept programs in line with plan structure, company policy and legal requirements.
- Expedited benefit delivery by establishing and maintaining high-level working relationships with benefit providers.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
Benefits Manager
Driscolls Strawberry Associates, Inc.
08.2009 - 07.2014
- Successfully took Benefits program from fully-insured to self-funded which reduced costs and implemented a new high-deductible health plan option.
- Created a comprehensive wellness plan that included "Wellness University" where employees could learn aspects of healthy living and earn incentives, also implemented annual BBQ/wellness fairs.
- Collaborated on a Union decertification that resulted in significant business unit savings and employee satisfaction.
- Oversaw open enrollment processes during 4th quarter.
- Kept programs in line with plan structure, company policy and legal requirements.
- Directed and administered 401K, medical, dental and vision benefit packages.
- Audited benefit programs and agreements to optimize service delivery.
- Expedited benefit delivery by establishing working relationship with Benefits vendors and consultants.
- Educated new hires about different benefit plans.
- Performed annual evaluations of competitor actions, legislative changes and collective bargaining results in order to make sound decisions about future company benefits program.
Benefits Manager
Restoration Hardware, Inc.
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Reduced costs by $200k annually while improving employee options for medical and dental coverage.
- Recovered $75k in annual premiums from an audit of medical plan invoices.
- Outsourced Benefits administration, revised HRIS process manual and leave of absence policy resulting in a $25k annual cost savings.
- Reduced employer cost for 401(k) plan by $28k while simultaneously improving employee investment options.
- Communicated and administered open enrollment processes during 4th quarter.
Education
Master of Arts - Wellness And LifesStyle Management
Rowan State University
Glassboro, NJ01.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA01.1988
Skills
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Crisis Management
- Organizational Development
- People Management
- Budget Management
- Financial Management
- Strategic Planning
- New Program Development
- Negotiation
Timeline
Director, Benefits and Well-Being
Granite Construction Inc.
07.2016 - 01.2023
Sr. Global Benefits Manager
Calix, Inc.
08.2014 - 07.2016
Benefits Manager
Driscolls Strawberry Associates, Inc.
08.2009 - 07.2014
Benefits Manager
Restoration Hardware, Inc.
01.2007 - 01.2009
Master of Arts - Wellness And LifesStyle Management
Rowan State University
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Sonoma State University