Head of Global Benefits and Retirement Savings Programs

Company Description

PartnerRe is a leading, privately owned, multi-line global reinsurer with a reputation of financial stability and strength, and a commitment to rebuilding businesses and communities after risk events around the world.

Our mission is to continue to be a financially stable and predictable business partner, supporting our clients with solutions tailored to their needs, delivering superior returns to our owner, providing rewarding opportunities for our people and making a positive contribution to society. To achieve this, we live by our values of Integrity, Performance, Collaboration, Straightforward Communication and Respect and Care.

Core to The PartnerRe Experience is our global nature. No matter where you sit in the company, you are part of something bigger. Our teams represent our truly international mindset, forging connections across office locations and all levels of the organization and building a network of mutual success. The result is a day-to-day experience that will allow you to:

Shape your own career

Grow in a supportive environment

Connect with a community of experts

Make an impact

View Home - PartnerRe Experience e-book to find out more about what it’s like to work at PartnerRe.

We are always looking for bright, proactive individuals to join our team!

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PartnerRe is an equal opportunities employer.

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Compensation and Benefits

The expected base salary range for this position, when hired into our Toronto location, is CAD$125,000 - 175,000 per year. For positions based in other jurisdictions, compensation will be determined in alignment with local regulations, market benchmarks, and internal compensation frameworks. The above range reflects the typical base salary range for candidates hired into this position. The actual salary will vary depending on a number of factors, including job location, experience, qualifications, education/training, skills, market conditions, and alignment with the role’s requirements.

In addition to base salary, eligible employees may participate in our annual incentive program, payment under which is at the discretion of PartnerRe and subject to individual and company performance. Eligible employees also have the opportunity to participate in an array of benefits, including medical, dental and vision coverage, a health spending account, a defined contribution pension plan, life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, etc.

Working Arrangement

PartnerRe operates with a hybrid work approach that balances in‑office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. Our employees are required to be in the office 3 days a week. Our goal is to create an environment where employees can connect, innovate, and perform at their best. 

This position is for an existing vacancy within our organization.

PartnerRe is committed to an inclusive, accessible recruitment experience. Reasonable accommodations  for candidates with disabilities are available upon request throughout the hiring process.

Role Purpose and Impact

PartnerRe is seeking a highly experienced and commercially astute Head of Global Benefits & Retirement Savings Programs to provide strategic leadership and governance for the Company's global benefits portfolio, supporting approximately 1,400 employees across more than 13 countries.

As the Company's senior benefits subject matter expert, this role is responsible for the strategy, design, governance, policies, financial management, compliance, and ongoing effectiveness of all employee benefit and retirement savings programs globally. The role spans health and welfare benefits, wellbeing initiatives, retirement savings and pension arrangements, and other related benefit programs/perks.
Working closely with Country Leads and local HR teams who provide day-to-day employee support, the successful candidate will ensure PartnerRe's programs remain market competitive, compliant, cost-effective, and aligned with the Company's talent and business objectives.

This role also serves as the primary relationship owner for all third-party providers, including benefits-related carriers, retirement providers, brokers, consultants, and administrators. As the Company's lead negotiator for global benefits programs, the incumbent will be responsible for driving strong commercial outcomes, ensuring service excellence, and maximizing value from external partners.This is a highly visible position requiring deep technical expertise, strong commercial and negotiation skills, sound judgment, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across a complex global environment.

This position provides strategic ownership of PartnerRe's global benefits and retirement programs, ensuring they remain competitive, compliant, well-governed, and financially sustainable. Through expert stewardship of program design, governance, compliance, and vendor partnerships, the role will help deliver a compelling employee experience while supporting the Company's long-term business and talent strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Global Benefits Strategy & Program Design

• Develop and maintain PartnerRe's global benefits strategy, philosophy, and governance framework.
• Shape a globally consistent benefits strategy that remains market-competitive and locally relevant, with appropriate consideration for regulatory, cultural, and jurisdiction-specific requirements.
• Lead the design, review, and ongoing optimization of:
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other health and welfare programs
  • Retirement savings and pension arrangements
  • Wellness and wellbeing initiatives/programs
  • Leave-related benefits and employee support services
• Evaluate market trends, employee needs, utilization patterns, and emerging practices to identify opportunities for enhancement.
• Develop business cases and recommendations for benefit program investments, changes, and vendor decisions.
• Advance PartnerRe’s employee value proposition through competitive, meaningful, and financially sustainable benefits programs aligned with the Company’s talent strategy.

Retirement Savings & Pension Management

• Provide strategic oversight of all retirement savings and pension programs globally.
• Manage retirement savings and pension arrangements globally, ensuring effective oversight, fiduciary discipline, and alignment with local requirements.
• Lead or coordinate:
  • Retirement plan compliance reviews and required testing
  • Pension-specific regulatory filings and required reporting
  • Retirement plan audits and management assessments
  • Trustee and governance committee activities
  • Plan amendments and documentation updates
• Monitor legislative, regulatory developments and assess implications for existing programs.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Payroll, Tax, and external advisors to support effective retirement plan management and regulatory alignment.

Benefits Compliance & Risk Governance

• Establish and maintain a robust framework for benefits compliance, controls, and risk management.
• Ensure the global benefits & retirement savings portfolio operates in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory, fiduciary, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain oversight of benefit policies, controls, documentation, and audit readiness across the broader benefits portfolio.
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, regulatory, and fiduciary risks across benefit programs.
• Support internal audits, regulatory reviews, and external compliance assessments as required.
• Monitor the overall health and effectiveness of benefit programs, ensuring issues and risks are identified and addressed proactively.

Vendor, Carrier & Broker Management

• Serve as the global relationship owner for all benefits-related external partners, including insurance carriers, retirement providers, brokers, consultants, administrators, and wellbeing vendors.
• Develop and execute global vendor and carrier management strategies that support program quality, financial sustainability, and employee experience objectives.
• Lead annual renewal processes across all jurisdictions and benefit programs, including renewal planning, market review, provider negotiations, cost analysis, stakeholder approvals, and implementation of agreed changes.
• Act as the Company's lead negotiator in discussions with carriers, retirement providers, brokers, and consultants.
• Negotiate premiums, fees, contractual terms, service-level agreements, performance guarantees, and other commercial arrangements.
• Lead requests for proposal (RFPs), market reviews, provider selections, vendor transitions, and consolidation initiatives where appropriate.
• Challenge providers and intermediaries to ensure competitive pricing, strong service delivery, and innovative solutions.
• Partner with Finance and Procurement to strengthen commercial governance and vendor accountability.
• Establish performance metrics and governance processes to monitor service quality, operational effectiveness, and value delivered by vendors.
• Provide senior leadership with recommendations regarding provider performance, market competitiveness, renewal outcomes, and cost management opportunities.
• Oversee open enrollment activities, partnering with Country Leads, Payroll, vendors, and communications teams to ensure timely, accurate, and employee-friendly delivery.

Stakeholder Partnership & Advisory

• Serve as the senior benefits advisor to HR leadership, Finance, Legal, Payroll, Procurement, and business leaders globally.
• Provide direction and support to Country Leads and local HR teams who deliver employee-facing benefits administration and support.
• Provide expert guidance on complex benefits, retirement, governance, compliance, and risk-related matters.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex or technical benefits issues, partnering with local HR, vendors, Legal, Finance, Payroll, and other stakeholders to resolve matters effectively and mitigate risk.
• Support business initiatives including acquisitions, organizational changes, integrations, and vendor transitions.
• Present strategic recommendations, governance updates, and market insights to senior leadership and governance committees as required.

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Establish metrics and reporting to evaluate program effectiveness, competitiveness, utilization, employee experience, and financial performance.
• Conduct periodic benchmarking and market reviews to ensure programs remain competitive and aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor healthcare cost trends, retirement plan participation, vendor performance, and emerging risks.
• Deliver executive-level insights and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve program effectiveness, operational efficiency, and employee value.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• 10+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits, pensions, retirement savings programs, total rewards, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience managing complex regional or global benefits programs.
• Deep expertise in health and welfare benefits design, governance, and administration.
• Strong knowledge of retirement savings plans, pension arrangements, fiduciary responsibilities, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with insurance carriers, retirement providers, brokers, consultants, and third-party administrators.
• Experience leading provider selection processes, market reviews, contract negotiations, and benefit program renewals.
• Strong commercial, financial, analytical, and risk management skills.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing capabilities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior leaders and external partners.

Preferred

• Experience supporting employee populations across North America and Europe.
• Familiarity with both defined contribution and defined benefit retirement arrangements.
• Experience managing audits, governance committees, compliance reviews, and regulatory reporting obligations.
• Professional designations or qualifications related to benefits, pensions, insurance, actuarial science, finance, law, or human resources.
• Experience operating within financial services, insurance, reinsurance, or other highly regulated industries.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will be:

• A recognized expert in global benefits and retirement programs.
• A strategic thinker with strong business and financial acumen.
• An effective negotiator and relationship manager capable of driving strong commercial outcomes.
• Comfortable influencing decisions and leading through expertise rather than formal authority.
• Collaborative, inclusive, and effective across cultures and geographies.
• Pragmatic, solutions-oriented, and capable of balancing employee experience, risk management, and financial stewardship.
• A trusted advisor who demonstrates sound judgment, credibility, and integrity.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid:

PartnerRe provides a working environment in which diversity is valued, where all employees feel welcome, respected, and empowered to perform at their best.  We invite you to learn more about D&I at PartnerRe.

Transcription Notice:  PartnerRe may use artificial intelligence to support our recruitment professionals in the administrative aspects of recruitment, including transcribing, summarizing, and organizing information discussed during interviews and to help identify relevant qualifications.

If you do not wish the conversation to be transcribed, please let your recruiter know at the start of the interview. Whether or not you agree to the use of interview transcription will not be taken into account when reviewing your application or making a hiring decision.

Thank you,

PartnerRe Hiring Team