Alaska Airlines
Director, HR Systems and Benefits Strategy
www.alaskaair.com/careers
POSITION PROFILE
Are you a strategic leader passionate about leveraging strategy and systems to solve complex human
capital challenges? If so, we have a role that might be the right fit for you. We are seeking a highenergy, transformative leader to join our team at Alaska Air Group.
The Director, HR Systems and Benefits Strategy will provide strategic and operational leadership to our
systems, records and reporting at Alaska Air Group, as well as lead the effort to assess and transition to
vendor-managed platforms which will take our employee benefits and wellness efforts to the next level of
impact. The successful incumbent in this role will apply thought leadership, creativity and business
acumen in leading a team to design and implement cost-effective processes and supporting
communication in the systems, data/records and benefits arenas.
On the systems and records front, this role is accountable for ensuring the people-related technology
tools used by the company and its employees are providing the optimal level of usability and operational
integrity. This includes responsibility for the PeopleSoft HCM system, Greenlight, our company-wide
computer based training system, and multiple interfaces internally and externally. This role will lead a
team that provides business analyst support, as well as one that is responsible for maintaining and
updating employee data within PeopleSoft HCM. This role will ensure that systems are appropriately
supported and resourced, that employee data is maintained and managed successfully and that internal
customer inquiry and reporting needs are met.
For benefits strategy, this role is accountable for evolving the company’s vision and strategies for the
impactful, yet cost effective administration of qualified and non-qualified benefit plans. This includes
clearly articulating the business case for strategic shifts in our approach to benefits, recommending
appropriate outsourcing/insourcing of benefits administration, gaining support and sponsorship from key
leaders, assessing, improving and supporting programs and policies which drive measureable results on
cost efficiencies, and use of best practices, tools and resources which cultivate employee satisfaction.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build, inspire and lead a team, systems and scalable processes which result in improved company
performance relative to our long-term benefits strategy of increased wellness with less cost impact.
- Create and execute strategy and sustainable processes to manage employee experience, specifically
as it relates to benefits consumerism.
- Plan and direct all aspects of Alaska Air Group’s human resource information systems. Develop,
implement and maintain HRIS systems to meet the organization’s needs and objectives.
- Forge strong relationships with key internal customers by listening, understanding needs, defining
shared objectives, proactively consulting and collaborating to meet HR technology goals.
- Manage third party benefits administrators and engage these partners in a long-term strategy focused
on the delivery of high quality customer service, employee satisfaction, and cost efficiencies.
- Seek and apply research, best practices and innovative approaches to advancing benefits strategy.
Assess and improve existing efforts designed to sustain and improve the health of Air Group’s employees
and families.
- Apply appropriate metrics and record-keeping to ensure progress against cost and employee
satisfaction goals and collaborate with others in the organization to fulfill statutory reporting requirements.
- Partner with other HR leaders and the rest of the Alaska Air Group HR community to foster engagement,
create a great place to work and to provide a hassle-free and world-class experience to internal clients,
employees, candidates and other stakeholders.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of hands-on HR and systems functional responsibility within a complex human capital service
environment required. Minimum 5 years successfully leading and managing a HR team in a fast-paced
environment and driving for results required.
- Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
- Prefer candidates with broad knowledge of and experience in HR functions including benefits, systems,
communication, and application of federal/state/local employment laws.
- In-depth experience in other HR functional areas (generalist, recruiting, etc.) is a plus.
- Familiarity with qualified employee benefit plans, both health and retirement.
- Excellent strategy, organizational, project management, interpersonal, leadership and customer service
skills.
- High energy, positive presence along with top-notch written and verbal communication skills.
- Innovative, apolitical, resilient, fact-based and creative solutions-focused mindset, with ability to thrive in
a rapidly-changing, collaborative environment and to manage conflict.
- Experience building and coordinating cross-functional teams preferred.
- Proven ability to leverage business acumen and analytic capability to position the HR organization as a
change agent and key business partner.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other Microsoft products as well as common HR applications.