Spotlight: Alex Harmann, Manager of Benefits and HRIS

Navitus is proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work® — recognition that comes from investing in our employees. We recently sat down with Alex Harmann, Manager of Benefits and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), to talk about what it takes to create benefits that truly make a difference in employees’ lives.  

Tell us about your position as manager of benefits and HRIS and what you are most excited about in this role.   

As manager of benefits and HRIS at Navitus, I collaborate closely with our director to design and manage comprehensive benefit programs that reflect our values and support our associates’ well-being. From strategic plan design and financing to compliance and competitive benchmarking, I help ensure our offerings are both sustainable and impactful to our workforce.  

I also oversee our HRIS infrastructure, driving operational excellence and ensuring data integrity across our systems. During our annual compensation cycle, I play a key role in executing merit increases, bonuses and profit-sharing processes, while serving as an escalation point for questions and problem resolution requests.  

In addition, I lead our compliance reporting efforts, including benefit plan filings, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) reporting and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements, ensuring we meet regulatory obligations with accuracy and transparency.  

What drives me is the opportunity to make a real impact. Whether it’s refining our compensation strategy to attract and retain top talent, enhancing the associate experience through smarter systems or ensuring our benefits reflect the diverse needs of our workforce, I’m passionate about creating solutions that are both innovative and inclusive.  

How do you ensure the benefits offered reflect the values and mission of the organization?   

At the core of everything we do is a deep commitment to our associates — the individuals who drive our mission, shape our culture and deliver excellence every day.  

Our Total Rewards (full package of compensation, benefits, well-being programs and growth opportunities) philosophy reflects this commitment. It’s more than just compensation and benefits. It’s a comprehensive and meaningful approach to recognizing, supporting and celebrating our people. Our philosophy aligns with our overarching people and culture strategy to attract, develop and retain top talent.  
 
We believe in:  

• Competitive compensation that reflects the value our associates bring 
• Inclusive benefits that support diverse needs and life stages 
• Well-being programs that promote physical, emotional and financial health 
• Growth opportunities that empower career development and personal fulfillment 

Together, these elements form a Total Rewards experience that’s designed to help our associates thrive personally and professionally.  

Can you share an example of a benefit or program that was introduced specifically to support associate well-being or work-life balance?  

Paid Parental Leave Policy: Navitus is committed to supporting associates during significant life events, including the birth or adoption of a child. As part of this commitment, Navitus offers up to four weeks of paid parental leave to eligible associates for bonding following the birth or adoption of a child.  

BenefitBump: BenefitBump is a personalized navigation program designed to support associates through every step of their journey to parenthood, whether through pregnancy, adoption or infertility.   

Learn to Live: Learn to Live offers online, high-fidelity cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs designed to help individuals improve their mental well-being by focusing on thoughts and behaviors. Accessible via desktop, tablet or mobile, the programs use engaging videos and interactive tools.  

What’s one benefit you’re especially proud of that you think more companies should consider offering?  

I am particularly proud of our generous bereavement leave policy, which exemplifies the deep commitment Navitus shows in placing the well-being of our associates at the forefront of our benefit design. In times of personal loss, we believe it’s essential to provide the time and space needed to grieve, heal and be with loved ones.  

How do you stay ahead of trends in associate benefits to ensure your offerings remain competitive and relevant?  

We have partnered with Lockton, a leading benefits brokerage firm, to help us stay ahead of trends in associate benefits and ensure our offerings remain competitive and relevant.  

This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting our associates with benefits that meet their evolving needs. Lockton brings deep expertise in market benchmarking, strategic planning and innovative solutions that help us enhance our Total Rewards strategy.  

Have you introduced any innovative or nontraditional benefits that had a noticeable impact on associate satisfaction or retention?  

As part of our Total Rewards strategy, we’ve introduced two impactful, nontraditional benefits that support associate health and engagement:  

Sword Health: A digital physical therapy program that connects associates with licensed physical therapy doctors to treat musculoskeletal conditions from home at no cost.  

Noom Weight: A psychology-based weight management program offered at no cost through Navitus. It combines technology and coaching to build sustainable, healthy habits.  

Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share?  

We’re entering an exciting phase in our Total Rewards journey, one that’s deeply aligned with our evolving workforce expectations and organizational goals. I’m proud to be part of a growing team dedicated to providing associate experiences that help make our company a great place to work.