Director - HRIS and Benefits (Dayforce)

The Director, HRIS & Benefits provides strategic leadership and functional expertise for the organization’s Human Resources Information System (HRIS), HR data and reporting, and employee benefits programs. This position partners closely with HR leadership, Information Technology, Finance, brokers, vendors, and organizational leaders to ensure HR technology and benefit programs effectively support business objectives, operational needs, compliance requirements, and the employee experience.

The Director is responsible for optimizing Dayforce functionality, ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of HR systems and data, overseeing benefits administration and compliance, and identifying opportunities to improve HR processes, reporting, and service delivery.

Core Responsibilities

HRIS, Systems & Data

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of Dayforce administration, including system configuration, optimization, upgrades, enhancements, integrations, and new implementations.

• Oversee system functionality and configuration across all applicable Dayforce modules and technical areas.

• Serve as the primary HRIS liaison between Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance, vendors, and other organizational stakeholders.

• Evaluate HR technology needs and recommend system enhancements and process improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, usability, and service delivery.

• Identify potential system risks, gaps, and opportunities and develop recommendations to strengthen HR operations.

• Establish priorities and coordinate system support requirements with IT, HR functional leaders, vendors, and other stakeholders.

• Plan, budget, and forecast HR technology needs, including future applications, enhancements, and system investments.

• Maintain awareness of Dayforce/vendor product roadmaps and assess the potential impact of upcoming changes on current and future HR operations.

• Ensure HRIS data integrity, security, confidentiality, and appropriate system access.

• Lead HR reporting and analytics, including interpreting business requirements and developing accurate and meaningful reports for internal customers.

• Support the use of HR data and analytics to identify workforce trends and inform organizational decision-making.

Benefits Administration

• Provide leadership and oversight for the organization’s employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, disability and life insurance, wellness programs, and other employee benefit offerings.

• Ensure effective administration of benefit programs and provide guidance regarding plan interpretation, eligibility, and administration.

• Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state benefit regulations and requirements, including PPACA, ERISA, IRS, DOL, and other regulatory requirements.

• Ensure required plan documents, notices, filings, audits, and regulatory documentation are accurate and current.

• Partner with benefits brokers, consultants, carriers, and vendors to evaluate plan performance, service delivery, costs, utilization, and employee needs.

• Analyze utilization, claims, enrollment, and cost data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

• Recommend benefit plan design, process, vendor, or program changes that support organizational objectives, financial sustainability, and employee needs.

• Support annual benefit renewals, open enrollment, employee communications, and implementation of benefit program changes.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build strong partnerships with HR colleagues and organizational leaders to ensure HRIS and benefits strategies support broader organizational priorities.

• Lead and develop assigned staff, establishing clear expectations, priorities, and accountability.

• Manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously while ensuring timelines, budgets, and organizational objectives are achieved.

• Continually evaluate HRIS and benefits processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, employee experience, and service quality.

Competencies & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including at least five years of significant HRIS, HR data/reporting, and project management responsibility.

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Dayforce experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience leading HR technology implementations, enhancements, integrations, or system optimization initiatives.

• Prior experience managing and developing staff.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret HR, benefits, utilization, and workforce data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential and sensitive employee information with discretion.

• Strong planning, organizational, and project management skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with employees, leadership, vendors, and technical partners.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across functions and manage competing priorities in a changing environment.