The Cheesecake Factory

Director of Benefits

The Cheesecake Factory$215K — $240K *
Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
  • 10+ years of progressive benefits leadership experience, including 5+ years managing health and welfare, retirement, and leave of absence programs.
  • Significant experience managing self-insured medical plans and large-scale benefits in complex, multi-state organizations.
  • Extensive knowledge of benefits compliance including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA regulations.
  • Demonstrated success in vendor management and strategic sourcing initiatives.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive benefits strategy aligned with business objectives.
  • Lead design, administration, and improvement of benefits programs including health, retirement, and wellness.
  • Oversee compliance with benefits regulations at federal, state, and local levels.
  • Manage benefits budgets, healthcare cost forecasting, and program financial sustainability.
  • Drive operational excellence through effective benefits administration and technology optimization.

Benefits

  • Eligible for annual bonus and equity grants.
  • Medical, Dental & Vision coverage starting first day of the month after hire.
  • 401K with company match.
  • 3 weeks of vacation, increasing to 4 weeks after 5 years.
  • Tuition reimbursement for up to $2,500 in qualified programs.
Full Job Description
Compensation Range

$215,000 - $240,000 / Year

Position Overview:

Eligible for a hybrid work schedule split between home & office, with a minimum of 3 days in the office each week.

The Director of Benefits is responsible for the strategy, governance, administration, compliance, and financial management of the Company's comprehensive employee benefits programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Total Rewards, you'll oversee all health and welfare, retirement, leave of absence, and time-off programs while serving as the Company's subject matter expert in benefits, vendor management, and fiduciary oversight.

You will develop and execute benefits programs that support business objectives, optimize employee health outcomes, manage costs, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver an exceptional employee experience.

You'll Thrive in This Role If You Are
  • A strategic leader who can balance employee experience, business objectives, and financial stewardship.
  • A subject matter expert in employee benefits, compliance, and fiduciary governance.
  • Skilled at building partnerships across HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, Internal Audit, and executive leadership.
  • Passionate about leading and developing high-performing teams.
  • Comfortable using data, analytics, and market trends to drive business recommendations and program enhancements


Here's more of what you'll get to do:

Benefits Strategy & Program Leadership
  • Partner with the VP, Total Rewards to develop and execute a comprehensive benefits strategy aligned with business, talent, and financial objectives.
  • Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of health and welfare, retirement, leave of absence, time-off, wellness, and financial well-being programs.
  • Evaluate market trends, regulatory developments, and competitive benchmarks to ensure a compelling and cost-effective benefits portfolio.


Benefits & Leave Management
  • Oversee health and welfare programs, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, disability, life, wellness, and voluntary benefits.
  • Direct retirement programs, including 401(k) and deferred compensation plans, while supporting financial wellness initiatives.
  • Lead leave of absence, accommodation, and time-away programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.


Compliance, Financial & Vendor Management
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable benefits and leave regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and related requirements.
  • Manage benefits budgets, healthcare cost forecasting, vendor performance, and program financial sustainability.
  • Lead relationships with consultants, carriers, administrators, recordkeepers, and other vendors to optimize service delivery and outcomes.


Benefits Operations & Team Leadership
  • Drive operational excellence through effective benefits administration, open enrollment execution, process improvements, and benefits technology optimization.
  • Utilize data and analytics to inform decision-making, enhance program performance, and improve the employee experience.
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing benefits team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and customer service.


What we require:

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of progressive benefits leadership experience, including 5+ years leading enterprise-wide health and welfare, retirement, and leave of absence programs.
  • Significant experience managing self-insured medical plans and large-scale benefits programs in complex, multi-state organizations.
  • Extensive knowledge of benefits compliance and administration, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS regulations, and federal, state, and local leave laws.
  • Demonstrated success managing vendor relationships, strategic sourcing initiatives, and complex contract negotiations.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience managing multimillion-dollar benefits budgets, healthcare forecasting, and cost-containment strategies.
  • Experience supporting organizations with 20,000+ employees preferred; experience supporting organizations with 40,000+ employees strongly preferred.
  • Exceptional analytical, project management, communication, presentation, and executive influencing skills.


What We Prefer
  • Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS)
  • SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification
  • Experience in a publicly traded company
  • Experience partnering with Benefits Committees and Retirement Plan Committees
  • Experience with benefits analytics, population health, and value-based healthcare strategies
  • Experience working with health and retirement plans in Canada.


What we offer:

  • Eligible for annual bonus
  • Eligible for annual equity grants
  • Medical, Dental & Vision
  • Eligible for benefits first day of the month following date of hire
  • 401K with company match
  • 3 weeks of vacation which increases to 4 weeks starting in your 5th year
  • 5 days of sick time per year (first year prorated)
  • Tuition Reimbursement of $2,500 for qualified programs
  • Adoption Assistance Benefit of $2,500
  • 25%-35% discount when dining as a guest
  • Reusable gift card loaded annually for your dining enjoyment


To notify of a non-compliant job posting, please send a notice to [email protected]

About The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory is a restaurant company headquartered in Calabasas Hills, California. It was founded in 1972 by Evelyn Overton and has since grown to operate more than 200 restaurants in the United States and abroad. The company's restaurants offer a variety of menu items, including appetizers, entrees, and desserts, with a focus on cheesecake. The Cheesecake Factory is known for its large portions and extensive menu. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol CAKE.
Learn more about The Cheesecake Factory
Size
45,800 employees
Market Cap
$1.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$253.3 million
Founded
1978
5 Year Trend
+5.2%
Revenue
$1.9 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at The Cheesecake Factory

  • The Cheesecake Factory
    Culinary Research & Development Chef
    $90K — $106K *
    Calabasas, CA 91302 (Los Angeles County)
    Food & Beverages
    In-Person
  • The Cheesecake Factory
    Plant Director
    $220K — $250K *
    Calabasas, CA 91302 (Los Angeles County)
    Food & Beverages
    In-Person
  • The Cheesecake Factory
    Senior Operations Manager
    $90K — $110K *
    Battleboro, NC 27809 (Edgecombe County)
    Food & Beverages
    In-Person
  • The Cheesecake Factory
    Kitchen Manager
    $80K *
    Lynnwood, WA 98036 (Snohomish County)
    Food & Beverages
    In-Person
  • The Cheesecake Factory
    Senior Manager MarTech
    $180K — $200K *
    Calabasas, CA 91302 (Los Angeles County)
    Consumer Technology
    In-Person

More Healthcare Jobs

Find similar Director of Benefits jobs: