Director Health

Company

Alaska Airlines

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day.

If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you.

The Director of Health Benefits is a strategic leader responsible for setting the vision, direction, and execution of enterprise-wide global health benefits programs. This role leads a team of people leaders across multiple disciplines and partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure programs are equitable, cost-effective, and aligned with organizational goals.

• Set long-term strategy for global health benefits with a 12+ month horizon, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and workforce needs.
• Drive program evolution by identifying opportunities for cost containment, operational efficiency, and improved employee experience through data driven insights and strategic vendor partnerships.
• Demonstrate courageous leadership by engaging in difficult conversations, challenging the status quo, and making timely, effective decisions that advance program goals and organizational priorities.
• Influence within own area and provide strategic recommendations to enterprise leaders on program design, vendor partnerships, and compliance.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of health benefits programs.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, and proactively manage risk and cost containment strategies.
• Develop and manage budgets across multiple disciplines, including vendor contracts, program costs, and administrative expenses.
• Partners closely with the Director Leaves, Accommodations and Disability to ensure programs are efficient and effective.
• Partner with Legal, Risk, Finance, and other HR functions to ensure integrated and compliant program delivery.
• Keep up to date with changing regulations to ensure compliance and program design.
• Understand risks and program elements in order to successfully complete annual audits ensuring accuracy, financial risks and compliance.
• Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising employee experience.
• Establish frameworks and processes that enable scalability, efficiency, and innovation.
• Direct strategic initiatives and lead change management efforts to ensure successful adoption and measurable outcomes.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to drive enterprise-wide initiatives and foster collaboration.
• Develop people through effective performance management and ongoing feedback.
• Foster strategic and systems thinking, talent development, and succession planning across teams and disciplines.
• Shape the culture of the team through action, presence, and reinforcement of inclusive and high-performance behaviors.

Required

• 8 years of experience in health benefits, or related HR functions.
• 5 years of leadership experience, with at least 2 of those years directly leading people.
• Bachelor’s degree, or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Deep knowledge of health benefits regulations (ACA, HIPAA, ERISA) and workers’ compensation laws.
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives, manage complex budgets, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred

• Proven experience designing and managing large-scale benefits programs and vendor relationships.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and identifying cost‑saving opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, influence at all levels, and…