Total Rewards Benefits Manager - North America

What makes this a great opportunity?

Role Responsibilities

Role Mission

This role will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Americas (Canada , US, US VI, and Mexico) employee benefit plans to ensure all plans meet strategic objectives. This role will maintain strong relationships with our HR People Solutions team and multiple third-party administrative vendors and consultants. They will stay well-informed on legislative / regulatory developments and ensure full compliance.  The role is also responsible for developing recommendations that are aligned with company strategy and goals.

The successful candidate will enable our Total Rewards philosophy to be an employer of choice, building business cases and analysis, utilizing industry trends, market benchmarking and internal metrics, to support successful outcomes that enhance our employee experience, and positive results.  The individual will work closely with People, Culture and Communications teams and other cross-functional teams to implement benefit programs and policies that provide positive impacts and inspire our employees to “unleash their spirit”.  

Outcomes/Success Criteria

(Insert 3-5 specific and measurable indicators of success for this role.  How will the candidate know they are successful?  Ensure the outcomes are candidate-centric.)

1. Successfully deliver and pro-actively manage market leading Americas Benefit programs, policies and processes. Quickly adapting to the SGS ways of working, learning our programs, policies and processes to provide subject matter expertise to colleagues and employees.
2. Assist with development of employee benefits strategy to ensure programs are market-competitive, cost-competitive and aligned with company strategy, and oversee the implementation of approved plan design changes.
3. Monitor internal metrics, industry and workforce trends, as well as regulatory and legislative changes, working with Total Rewards leadership to develop the benefits strategy and implement changes. Ensuring all plan related documents are accurate and up to date (SPD, plan documents, information on intranet, etc.)
4. Develop and execute communication strategies to ensure all parties are fully informed of benefit plan changes and improve employee understanding, promoting our strategic agenda and fostering an appreciation of the value of all Americas benefit programs and services to employees through the employment life cycle, including new hires, open enrollment, retirement and respond to escalated issues from the HR People Solutions team.

Manage multiple third-party vendor relationships to ensure efficient and effective administration of all Americas benefit plans. Continually evaluate internal and external administrative processes.  Select and regularly evaluate all third-party vendors and service providers to ensure programs are managed by high quality, technically savvy, and financially sound organizations. 

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the full spectrum of employee benefit plans, including 401k, health and welfare plans (medical, wellness, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation).
• Proven skill set to include analytical, critical thinking, statistical and problem-solving abilities to ensure compliance, consistent interpretation and application of plans, thorough knowledge of other related benefit plan design and administration.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with multiple third-party vendors, HR partners and employees at all levels; vendors include administration partners, brokers, consultants, auditors, attorneys and on-site/near-site health/fitness clinic managers.
• Strong MS office skills (Excel, PowerPoint etc.); good understanding of HR systems and interfaces with third-party vendors.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; excellent planning & organizational skills.

Minimum Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience managing all facets of US employee benefit plans, including retirement, health and welfare plan administration, reporting and compliance. Exposure to North American and International Benefits plus Mergers and Acquisitions is preferred.
• Experience managing outsourced administrative vendors, RFP development, vendor

Selection, project management of implementations/transitions, and plan harmonization expertise.  

• Previous experience working with benefit plan financial modeling, creating and coordinating the development of plan documentation, conducting research and survey participation.

• Ability to work independently and be proactive in a fast-paced environment, possessing a strong sense of ownership and accountability, knowing when and how to escalate to leadership to keep projects on track, and stakeholders informed.
• Ability to articulate issues concisely and clearly for all audiences with a track record of establishing compliant, creative and successful solutions.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Human Resources or equivalent education and experience.
• Total Rewards experience such as compensation subject matter expertise would be an advantage.
• Experience working with Union benefits.  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work and lead projects in a matrixed environment.

Identifying Total Rewards and Benefits employee experience optimization opportunities.