Manager - Benefits Design
Position Summary
We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Benefits Manager to help advance and shape our enterprise benefit programs. This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate who enjoys leading complex, high-impact initiatives that directly influence the associate experience, organizational growth, and overall Total Rewards strategy.
Major Responsibilities
Partner with leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive benefits harmonization strategy across the enterprise, aligning programs across multiple business units and organizational structures.
Assess current benefits offerings to identify gaps, redundancies, inconsistencies, and opportunities for program harmonization and operational efficiencies.
Align benefits harmonization initiatives with broader enterprise strategies and initiatives, including Total Rewards philosophy, acquisitions, integrations, and organizational transformation efforts.
Support the design and implementation of scalable, competitive, and cost-effective benefit programs that enhance the associate experience and support organizational objectives.
Collaborate with Finance and leadership teams to support budgeting, cost forecasting, and financial analysis associated with benefits transitions and program changes.
Analyze benefits utilization, trends, participation, and cost data to provide insights and recommendations that support strategic decision-making.
Lead and support the implementation of harmonized benefit programs, including plan transitions, vendor integrations, plan document updates, and system configuration changes internally and externally.
Coordinate cross-functional efforts to ensure successful execution of benefits-related projects, timelines, and deliverables.
Partner with vendors, brokers, consultants, and internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality benefits services and meet performance expectations during implementations and ongoing administration.
Develop and execute communication and change management strategies to support benefits program updates, transitions, and associate education initiatives.
Ensure accurate documentation, process consistency, and operational effectiveness across all benefits programs and related systems.
Evaluate, manage, and maintain 70+ benefits-related policies to ensure alignment with organizational standards and compliance requirements.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and international regulations, including ERISA and other retirement and benefits-related regulations.
Maintain governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and internal controls to support effective and compliant delivery of harmonized benefit programs.
Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting benefits programs and recommend updates to policies, procedures, and program administration as needed.
Partner with Legal, Compliance, and external advisors to support audits, reporting requirements, and risk mitigation efforts.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field required or equivalent experience.
Minimum 5 – 8 years of experience in benefits administration, strategy, or consulting, ideally within a large or multinational organization.
Certifications such as CEBS, CBP, or similar is required, or willingness to obtain within the first 4 years in the position.
Strong knowledge of benefits design, compliance requirements, and regulatory frameworks.
Experience reviewing, developing, and maintaining benefits policies, governance frameworks, and operational procedures.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and cross-functional stakeholders simultaneously.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
Experience supporting global or multi-country benefits harmonization efforts.
Familiarity with HRIS systems, benefits administration platforms, and vendor systems.
Experience working with vendors, brokers, and consulting firms.
Collaboration and influence across functions and levels.
Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving, matrixed environment.