HR Benefits Group Leader

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

The Human Resources Directorate has an opening for a Benefits Group Leader. This position provides leadership and supervision to the Benefits Administration Group, overseeing daily operations and guiding benefits specialists in the administration of health and welfare, defined benefit, and defined contribution retirement plans. The ideal candidate brings extensive benefits knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to operate independently while driving for results. This position reports to the Benefits and Compensation Division Leader.

You will

• Lead the day-to-day administration of health and welfare, defined benefit, and defined contribution retirement plans, acting prudently to minimize risk and ensure compliance with plan documents, ERISA, and other applicable laws.
• Provide strong leadership and direction to professional and administrative staff, including coaching, feedback, performance evaluation, and support for development and accountability.
• Oversee the administration of time off and absence programs, including vacation, sick leave, and leaves of absence.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and delivery of audit responses, plan notices, Summary Plan Descriptions, Annual Funding Notices, Form 5500s, non-discrimination testing, Summary Annual Reports, Health and Welfare notices, Open Enrollment guides, and other required communications, reports, and filings.
• Work with plan actuaries to monitor plans and provide required reports.
• Oversee vendor contracts, invoices, performance, and performance guarantees to ensure high-quality, accurate delivery of third-party services.
• Confer with health and welfare consultants to develop competitive, cost-effective benefits strategies from both employer and employee perspectives.
• Formulate organizational objectives and strategies and provide oversight for the design, development, implementation, administration, communication, promotion, evaluation, and daily operations of health and welfare and retirement plans to ensure alignment and operational excellence.
• Analyze new legislation and audit results, recommend and execute appropriate actions, and ensure compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations, DOE orders, company policies, summary plan descriptions, and plan documents.
• Define, construct, analyze, and deliver performance measures and metrics to evaluate the ongoing effectiveness of benefits programs.
• Recommend new benefits strategies and programs to senior management and provide strategic solutions that may influence future organizational decisions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE L-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Extensive and progressively responsible experience in compliance and qualified plan and leave administration.
• Demonstrated experience and proven success leading teams, managing staff, and maintaining accountability in a complex environment where errors can have significant operational, financial, or regulatory impact.
• Strong working knowledge of employee benefits theory, practices, plans, programs, compliance issues, and regulatory and reporting requirements, including in-depth knowledge of ERISA and related laws and regulations.
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills, with experience analyzing employee benefits programs and managing their design, development, and communication with a high degree of accuracy.
• Experience managing company-wide projects and programs and developing strategic solutions.
• Experience with discrimination testing, required filings, and other required reporting with close attention to detail and timeliness.
• Extensive experience managing vendor relationships to maintain quality and performance standards.
• Highly advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain, present, counsel, guide, and influence internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• Proficiency in Human Resource Information Systems and Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and drive initiatives to completion with minimal direction.

Qualifications We Desire

• CEBS, PHR, SPHR, or other relevant certification.
• Experience with PeopleSoft/Oracle Human Resources modules.

Pay Range

$165,480 - $202.632 annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) L-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter.  Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  L-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.