Global Benefits Manager

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Strategy & Program Design
• Develop and manage global benefits strategy that balances local market expectations, talent competitiveness, and financial stewardship.
• Conduct benchmarking and vendor evaluations by country; recommend program enhancements based on data, business goals, and employee experience.
• Partner with Compensation to align benefits philosophy with total rewards strategy and employer value proposition.
• Build a roadmap for future benefit expansion, including wellness, retirement, leave programs, EAP offerings, and flexible benefits.
• Leave of Absence Program Management
• Serve as global program owner and subject matter expert for all leave programs (paid/unpaid, statutory, and company-provided), ensuring alignment with total rewards strategy and legal requirements.
• Oversee and direct a third-party LOA administration vendor responsible for day-to-day case management, eligibility determination, employee communications, documentation, and return-to-work coordination.
• Ensure vendor performance meets service levels, compliance standards, and employee experience expectations; manage escalations and continuous improvement.
• Maintain a governance framework for global leave policies, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements across regions (FMLA, ADA, UK Shared Parental Leave, India Maternity Benefit Act, etc.).
• Develop and maintain employee- and manager-facing LOA guides, FAQs, policy documents, and workflows in partnership with the vendor.
• Partner with HRBPs, Legal, and local leaders on sensitive, complex, or high-risk leave cases requiring internal oversight or accommodations.
• Coordinate downstream impacts with Payroll, HRIS, and Finance while ensuring the vendor provides accurate reporting, documentation, and payroll feeds.
• Monitor compliance, reporting, and audit readiness across all geographies with vendor-supplied data and documentation.
• Operations & Administration
• Oversee day-to-day benefits administration across multiple regions, including renewals, vendor management, escalations, and annual enrollment cycles.
• Ensure smooth handoffs between HRIS, Payroll, Finance, and local HRBP teams for accurate eligibility, deductions, and reporting.
• Provide enablement, training, and reference materials to HR Operations and Talent
• Acquisition teams to ensure they can confidently address Level 1 employee benefits inquiries and escalate complex cases appropriately.
• Manage benefits budget forecasting, invoice reconciliation, and costs across multiple countries.
• Own benefits communications: policies, employee guides, onboarding materials, FAQs, and manager enablement.
• Compliance & Governance
• Maintain compliance with local statutory requirements, including health insurance, pension, social contributions, and mandatory leaves.
• Ensure documentation, contracts, and enrollment processes meet legal standards in each jurisdiction.
• Partner with Legal and external consultants on regulatory changes and audits.
• Lead annual benefit plan governance reviews and secure approvals from executive leadership.
• Global Expansion & Scaling
• Build repeatable playbooks for benefits set up in new countries (vendor selection, plan design, cost proposals, implementation timelines).
• Coordinate with Talent Acquisition, Finance, Payroll, and Legal during global hiring or entity launches.
• Employee Experience & Insights
• Measure benefit utilization, employee sentiment, and vendor performance; recommend improvements based on data.
• Drive employee education around total rewards, including wellness, financial education, and mental health support.
• Manage escalated employee cases with empathy, accuracy, and discretion.
• Office & Engagement Support (Atlanta Office)
• Provide backup support for the Atlanta Office Administrator, stepping in during time off, PTO, or high-volume periods.
• Collaborate on monthly employee engagement initiatives and events (virtual and in-person).
• Provide guidance, coaching, and operational alignment for the Atlanta administrator, who maintains a dotted-line reporting relationship to this role.
• Assist with office-level communications, vendor coordination, wellness activities, or team-building efforts as needed.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 10+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits, including at least 3 years managing multi-country programs.
• Experience overseeing benefits in at least 5–10 countries across regions such as EMEA, APAC, and North America.
• Familiarity with statutory requirements and supplemental benefits globally.
• Prior experience in a high-growth, multinational organization (software/SaaS ideal).
• Demonstrated ability to manage vendors, brokers, and benefit partners across time zones.
• trong analytical and communication skills, with ability to build executive-ready proposals and messaging.
• Experience working in lean or hybrid HR models where hands-on support is required.
• HRIS and payroll system fluency; experience supporting integrations or global workflows.
Nice to Have
• Experience with Workday, Dayforce, or other global HCM platforms
• Benefits experience supporting both employees and contractors / EOR models
• Familiarity with global mobility or global leave programs
• Professional certifications (CEBS, GBA, CIPD, WorldatWork)
• India-specific benefits experience
Success in This Role Looks Like
• Scalable benefits infrastructure that supports rapid global expansion
• Strong vendor partnerships and cost-efficient programs
• High employee satisfaction with benefits and clear communication
• Zero compliance gaps across all operating countries
• Smooth annual renewals and audit-ready documentation
• Ability to anticipate global benefit trends and recommend timely improvements