US Benefits Manager

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the execution of the US benefits program for a population of both hourly and salaried employees (across multiple states) to ensure that our offering is competitive, compliant and aligned to business goals.

• Partner with key stakeholders, including HR, Legal, Finance, and external parties (brokers, advisers and carriers) to maintain comprehensive benefits plans tailored to regional and local regulations.

• Focus on enhancing employee experience whilst closely monitoring costs, forecasting, budgets, claims trends and invoicing.

• Leverage data on benefits utilization, industry benchmarks and best practices to continuously refine and optimize US benefits offerings.

• Assist with the design and implementation of the company's wellness programs and initiatives that promote mental, physical, and emotional well-being, with a focus on preventative care and work-life balance.

• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of wellness initiatives, helping to adjust strategies based on employee feedback and key metrics.

• Knowledge of leave administration programs, including parental leave, sick leave, and vacation time, while ensuring adherence to local labor laws and regulations.

• Support the development and implementation of minimum standards for Global Benefits within the US.

• Support development of the strategy and lead the management of the 401K ensuring alignment with market standards and company objectives, including active participation in committee meetings and actions.

• Ensure compliance with US regulatory requirements and support employees in planning for retirement.

• Comprehensive understanding and working knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, etc.), always ensuring full compliance.

• Ensure 401(k) and pension plan compliance and administration stays on track with regulatory requirements and optimized participation.

• Manage annual audits, non-discrimination testing, and regulatory filings (5500s, ACA reporting, etc.).

• Partner with broker, advisors, Legal, Payroll, and Finance to ensure benefits compliance.

• Support the development of clear and engaging communications and informational sessions strategies to help educate employees about available US benefits and how to maximize them.

• Manage open enrollment cycles effectively manage vendor coordination, employee education, and system updates.

• Act as the first point of escalation for employees and stakeholders regarding complex US benefits queries which can't be resolved by the Shared Service Center, ensuring a seamless experience.

• Lead and mentor a US benefis shared service center team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including HR, Finance, Legal, and external vendors, to ensure alignment and successful execution of US benefits programs.

• Education: Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or professional qualifications / certifications in Benefits.

• Experience: 5-10+ years of experience in US benefits design and administration. Proven experience managing US benefit programs, preferably in a large-scale organization. Experience managing in a matrixed organization.

• Market Knowledge: Strong knowledge of US benefits trends, practices, and regulatory considerations.

• Commercial Acumen: Proficiency in accurately managing benefit program budgets and invoicing processes, including experience of helping drive RFP processes and new vendor implementations.

• Technical Expertise: Deep and applied technical and working knowledge of managing US benefits programs, including delivery of compliance requirements.

• Systems: High proficiency with Workday or a global HRIS platform and Microsoft Office (Excel and Powerpoint). Hands on experience of managing open enrolment cycles with the HRIS team (including testing) is critical.

• Organizational and Communication Skills: Effectively and compliantly manage the annual US benefits cycle, whilst also supporting the delivery of new initiatives / projects as required. Ability to explain benefits in a way that makes sense to employees at all levels.

• Detail-Oriented: Competent at retaining strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong project management skills Experience juggling multiple initiatives and driving them through to completion.

• Vendor Management: Strong experience in managing external vendors, brokers, and consulting partners, including contract negotiation and performance evaluation