Manager, Global Benefits

Accountabilities:: Develop global benefits strategy: Design and execute a comprehensive benefits strategy aligned with organizational objectives, Total Rewards philosophy, workforce needs, and employee value proposition while balancing global consistency with local market requirements. Lead annual benefits planning: Oversee annual benefits reviews, plan design assessments, renewal negotiations, market benchmarking, and cost modeling across international regions. Manage international benefits programs: Oversee benefits administration across the United States, Canada, EMEA, including Dubai, UAE, LATAM, APAC, and other global locations, ensuring offerings reflect local legislation, market standards, and cultural expectations. Ensure regulatory compliance: Partner with regional HR teams and legal counsel to maintain compliance with employment legislation, benefits regulations, international data privacy requirements, and reporting obligations. Oversee regulatory filings, audits, and plan documentation. Lead mergers and acquisitions integration: Manage benefits due diligence and integration activities for acquisitions, mergers, and divestitures. Evaluate existing programs, identify potential risks and harmonization opportunities, and develop integration strategies that balance employee experience, costs, and compliance. Drive AI and data innovation: Identify and implement AI-powered benefits platforms, decision-support tools, and personalization capabilities. Leverage predictive analytics and data insights to forecast utilization, optimize costs, and improve program effectiveness. Optimize benefits operations: Establish standard operating procedures, ticketing protocols, and workflow management systems to streamline employee inquiries, reduce administrative workloads, and improve operational efficiency. Manage global vendor relationships: Oversee relationships with benefits brokers, insurance providers, third-party administrators, and technology vendors. Lead requests for proposals, contract negotiations, service evaluations, and performance reviews. Lead and develop the team: Manage, mentor, and support benefits specialists and administrators across different regions. Establish performance expectations, provide coaching, and strengthen team capabilities. Improve employee engagement: Develop and implement global benefits communication strategies that increase awareness, engagement, and informed decision-making across a multilingual and geographically distributed workforce. Monitor performance and reporting: Define and track key performance indicators for global benefits programs, prepare executive-level reports, and present strategic recommendations to senior leadership. Support continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to improve benefits design, administration, technology, and governance while ensuring programs remain competitive, sustainable, and aligned with business priorities. Requirements: 8–10 years of overall benefits management experience, including at least 5 years in a global benefits capacity, with demonstrated expertise in international program administration, vendor negotiations, executive reporting, and regulatory compliance. 3–5 years of supervisory experience, including direct management of benefits specialists or administrators, and 2–3 years of experience leading within a matrixed or globally distributed HR environment. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of education and progressive professional experience may also be considered. Professional HR certifications such as CEBS, CHRL, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, or equivalent credentials are preferred. Proven ability to develop and implement multi-year global benefits strategies aligned with business objectives, workforce trends, and competitive talent markets. Extensive knowledge of benefits program design and administration across multiple international markets, particularly North America, EMEA, including Dubai, UAE, and LATAM. Demonstrated experience conducting benefits due diligence and managing benefits integration during mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Practical experience using or implementing AI-enabled HR technologies, benefits administration platforms, and analytics tools to improve program design, delivery, and operational efficiency. Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate, mentor, and develop geographically distributed teams. Excellent financial and analytical capabilities, including benefits cost modeling, utilization analysis, vendor proposal evaluation, forecasting, and preparation of financial reports for senior stakeholders. Experience negotiating vendor contracts, managing broker relationships, overseeing renewals, and evaluating third-party service performance. Strong understanding of international employment legislation, benefits regulations, governance standards, and data privacy requirements, including GDPR and PIPEDA. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits information clearly to employees, HR professionals, and executive leadership. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, including annual enrollment, plan transitions, M&A integrations, and technology implementations. Strategic thinking, adaptability, and sound judgment, combined with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving, and multicultural environment. Willingness to travel approximately 10–20%, including international travel, broker and vendor meetings, M&A site visits, and quarterly visits to headquarters. Benefits: Competitive salary: Annual base salary ranging from $116,200 to $155,000 USD, depending on qualifications, experience, skills, and work location. Comprehensive healthcare: Competitive medical and dental benefits to support employees' health and well-being. Flexible working arrangements: Flexible work options within a hybrid and remote-friendly working environment. Retirement savings: Access to a retirement savings program to support long-term financial planning. Parental support: Baby bonus and parental leave top-up programs to support employees and their growing families. Professional development: Access to online learning resources, training opportunities, and professional networking initiatives. Electric vehicle incentives: Employee purchase incentive program for electric vehicles. Collaborative work environment: Join an inclusive, international team that encourages innovation, knowledge sharing, and professional growth. Work-life balance: A flexible working culture supported by digital collaboration tools, asynchronous communication, and virtual social activities. Modern workplace: Access to well-equipped, safe, and welcoming office spaces for employees who prefer working in person.