Senior Manager Benefits

Job Summary

Responsible for partnering with key leaders across the business and outside advisors as needed to provide competitive benefits and compensation programs in order to support the business. This role is responsible for executing the overall benefits strategy by researching, designing and managing effective, cost efficient benefits for the respective country(s) of oversight, including health and welfare, retirement, and/or any country-specific benefit programs. The role supports the design, management, implementation, communication, compliance and administration of compensation programs for the respective country(s). This role leverages HRIS systems to use data to help drive decision-making and business results. Responsible for delivering a great associate experience, liaising with outside advisors, business leaders/associates, the global payroll, legal, finance and the broader Total Rewards and HR team. Responsibilities include leading a team of Total Rewards professionals.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Benchmarks, evaluates and recommends associate compensation and benefit programs, including health, life, and disability insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, and wellbeing programs with the goal of creating an attractive and competitive benefit program. Supports the design, evaluation, and updates to base pay, short term and/or sales incentive plans as needed. Participates in special projects as needed including but not limited to M&A due diligence and integration.
• Manages the timely annual renewal process for all benefit plan policies and/or contracts by partnering with outside advisors as needed; coordinates any communication or involvement by 3rd parties such as Workers Councils or Union Leaders to ensure compliance where necessary; Leads any RFP processes and oversees implementation of new providers.
• Develops and delivers strong benefit and compensation communications that help educate associates and support the associate value proposition including enrollment guides, product specific brochures/flyers and on-demand videos. Develop and maintain compensation guidelines, manager tools and education materials in support of the compensation programs and administration.
• As the subject matter expert, provides guidance for escalated questions or issue resolution for the day to day administration of benefits and compensation including insurance, retirement plan, leave administration, and pay practices. Identify and recommend strategies to improve the company's recruiting and retention efforts; Ensure that all plans comply with federal, state and local laws. regulations and organizational objectives, including exercising accountability for talent selection, performance management, and separation decisions within the function
• Monitors regulatory/government regulations, provides updates or findings reports to Total Rewards leadership and oversees plan document updates and administration to ensure compliance with all regulatory matters. Partner with IT to build, maintain and leverage the HRIS compensation modules in order to produce data analytics for improved decision making and efficient administration of Total Rewards programs.
• Partner closely with human resource business partners on providing support and solutions for business needs including appropriate leveling and/or compensation for positions throughout the organization; conduct analyses to evaluate internal equity, external competitiveness, and legal compliance of the organization's compensation practices.
• Manages a staff of associates with hire/fire, compensation and performance management decision making. Responsible for career development, mentoring and training of staff members.including quality, delivery, and candidate

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

• 6-8 years experience in total rewards strategy including compensation, benefits, and global program design
• Bachelor’s Degree in human resources, business administration, finance, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience leveraging HRIS and data to drive insights
• Ability to influence and partner with cross-functional stakeholders and senior leaders
• Advanced communication skills with ability to translate complex programs into clear guidance
• Experience developing and implementing policies, tools, and frameworks supporting compensation and benefits
• Strategic thinking with ability to balance business needs, cost considerations, and associate experience
• Problem-solving skills to address complex and ambiguous total rewards challenges
• Working knowledge of retirement plans and health and welfare plans, leaves of absence and their compliance, and administration required as well as compensation programs, career architecture frameworks, and pay equity analyses.
• Bilingual French and English: To serve clients and external service providers across Canada and USA.
• Occassional travel for business

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience supporting global or multi-country benefits and compensation programs.
• Experience with compensation design including incentive plans and pay equity analysis.
• Experience working with HRIS platforms and compensation modules.
• Experience supporting organizational changes such as mergers, acquisitions, or integrations