Basic Function

The Benefits Manager, North America Health & Welfare Plans will be responsible for all matters concerning the development, implementation, communication and administration of the company’s health and welfare benefit programs in the US, Canada, and LATAM.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for the administration, design, communication, and pricing of health and welfare benefit plans including medical, prescription drug, dental, life insurance, long term disability, outplacement, vision, EAP, various spending and savings accounts for the US, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
• Develop effective strategies for managing health care cost trend for the self-insured US medical plans.
• Design, develop, and manage vacation and leave policies for the US as well as other global policies and ensure policies are administered correctly and consistently.
• Manage benefit vendors to ensure high quality and timely delivery of health and welfare benefit programs. Negotiate contract terms and performance guarantees with vendors. Hold vendors accountable to performance standards.
• Ensures programs which are equitable, inclusive, meet employee needs, effective, and compliant, and recommends proposed designs that are in alignment with the strategies of the organization and Total Rewards team. Works closely with Finance and Total Rewards leadership to determine the cost impact of any proposed program changes.
• Manage all aspects of the US and Canada H&W benefits annual enrollment. Work with consultants and actuaries to determine optimal plan design, pricing, and cost. Work with outsourced vendors to implement changes for the new year and oversee delivery of the enrollment process.
• Develop and implement communication strategies to ensure effective promotion and understanding of benefit offerings to new and existing employees, candidates, and family members.
• Provide analysis and support to management and HR in preparing for and during negotiations with labor unions.
• Work with plan actuaries, accounting, and external auditors on financial reports and audits include valuations of OPEB liabilities.
• Work with government entities such as CMS, Canadian Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec regarding retiree drug subsidies and Canadian tax requirements.
• Ensure benefit plans remain compliant with applicable laws and regulations with assistance of internal legal counsel. Analyze new legislation and regulation such as the Affordable Care Act and propose discretionary plan changes allowed under the new laws or regulations as warranted.
• Manage the development and submission of all annual or other periodic regulatory filings such as US Form 5500s.
• Develop and manage departmental budget.
• Manage a team of one or more benefit analysts including assigning work, coaching, and measuring performance.
• Builds positive relationships with internal business partners by understanding organizational priorities. Provides support for other projects including benchmarking, the implementation of new programs or vendors, M&A activity, new legislative or regulatory changes, etc.

Min. Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Health and Welfare benefits.
• Demonstrated experience successfully taking on new challenges/roles with increasing scope of responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to define strategy and vision for highly visible, cross-functional projects that have significant business impact.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior management decisions that have an impact on business direction.
• Understanding of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other related benefits legislation.
• Vendor management experience, including experience managing an outsourced administration provider.
• Experience with managing non-US benefits.
• Knowledge and understanding of complex business/matrixed organizations.
• Ability to demonstrate strong communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated executive presence and influence, ability to build client relationships and create client satisfaction.
• Mastery of the “soft skills” in creating a collaborative, positive team environment.
• Profound integrity including ability to exercise discretion handling confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• CEBS, PHR or similar designation and/or advance degree in human resource management.
• Familiarity with SAP.
• Experience with benefits accounting.
• Experience in the chemicals industry.
• Proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese (Brazil).

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Competencies