Global Benefits & Leaves Manager

About the role

The Vertex Companies, LLC (Vertex) is a $180M global consulting firm that integrates strategic advisory, project management, and dispute resolution services. The Global Benefits & Leaves Manager is responsible for day‑to‑day management, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of Vertex’s global employee benefit and leave programs. This role partners closely with the Total Rewards Lead and serves as a key partner to Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, brokers, carriers, and external vendors. The position includes one direct report.

Core Responsibilities

• Monitor program effectiveness, market trends, employee feedback, and utilization; provide insights and recommendations to the Total Rewards Lead.
• Partner with the Total Rewards Lead to implement benefits and wellbeing initiatives aligned with the broader Total Rewards strategy.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for benefit brokers, carriers, leave vendors, wellness providers, retirement plan administrators, and other benefit partners.
• Lead vendor performance reviews and service‑level evaluations.
• Manage the annual renewal process, including data review, vendor coordination, implementation planning, analytics, cost modeling, and preparation of recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations; coordinate regulatory filings and required benefit notices; oversee internal and external audits.
• Partner with leave administration vendors, HR teams, and people leaders to ensure compliant administration of all paid and unpaid leaves of absence (e.g., FMLA, ADA accommodations, state leave programs, disability programs, company leave programs).
• Serve as the primary escalation and program contact for employee leaves, collaborating with vendors, HR, Payroll, and people leaders.
• Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution, including partnership with HRIS on Workday configuration and testing.
• Analyze benefit costs, utilization, enrollment trends, and program performance; identify risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.
• Develop reporting, dashboards, and financial analyses to support Total Rewards and leadership decision‑making.
• Maintain internal employee documentation, including handbooks and intranet pages.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and scale benefits and leave administration across countries, focusing on process, technology, vendor, and employee‑experience improvements.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience, or a Master’s degree and 3 years of related experience, or 8 years of related experience with no degree; plus at least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience managing health and welfare programs in multiple countries.
• Experience evaluating and working with third‑party vendors and brokers.
• Experience with HRIS platforms; Workday preferred.
• Exceptional analytical skills, including hands‑on experience with Power Query or similar data‑transformation tools.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data and analysis into clear, compelling insights and recommendations.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of benefits and leave compliance across multiple countries, with ability to partner with local experts.
• Demonstrated appropriate use of AI to automate and improve work.
• Experience supporting M&A integration activities (preferred, not required).
• Experience with self‑funded medical plans (preferred, not required).

Compensation

Vertex offers a highly competitive total compensation package that includes a base salary and a discretionary variable bonus program, depending on level. The package also includes a comprehensive benefits suite, a 401(k) plan with immediate matching and full vesting, Flexible Spending Accounts, an Employee Assistance Program, and exclusive perks.

Salary Range

• Geographical Tier C (e.g., Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Miami): $75,000 – $204,000 USD annually.
• Geographical Tier D (e.g., Mississippi, Mobile AL, Bowling Green KY, Tulsa): $71,000 – $194,000 USD annually.

Benefits

• Multiple healthcare and dental plan options.
• Company‑paid Life Insurance, Short‑Term Disability, and Long‑Term Disability coverage.
• 401(k) plan with immediate matching and full vesting.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous paid time off program, including vacation, sick time, and paid holidays (prorated for eligible part‑time employees).
• “Lifetime of Learning” program offering tuition reimbursement and personalized support for advanced education.