Benefits Director

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. The Regional Benefits Director will be responsible for delivering the benefits strategy within the Americas region that is integrated to the overall reward strategy and aligns with the business strategy as well as the organizational culture and values.

What will you be doing?

The role will lead the design of benefit programs and be responsible for the oversight and management of healthcare, retirement, and all other regional and local benefit programs in partnership with the regional Total Reward leader. In addition, the role will be responsible for ensuring effective operational delivery of all benefit plans in the region in partnership with HR services to ensure a good employee experience. This position reports to the SVP Head of Global Reward.

Responsibilities:

• In consultation with the Regional Total Reward and Wellbeing leaders as well as HR and business leaders, lead the design and delivery of benefit programs that consider the diverse group of employees needs across the AMAC region and meet business requirements.
• Participate in design and ongoing updates of the Total Rewards strategy by providing insights and proactive advice and mentorship as it relates to employee benefits.
• Provide advice and mentorship on the efficiency of existing benefit programs as well as emerging market trends in employee benefits, and where appropriate propose and implement design changes and improvements that will engage a multi-generational and diverse workforce and enhance S+Ns position as an employer of choice.
• Ensure benefit programs in AMAC meet all vital local compliance and legal requirements and maintain minimum global benefit standards, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Handle employee risk benefit insurance plans within AMAC including all policy renewals and broker vendor management as appropriate.
• In conjunction with the Total Reward Engagement & Wellbeing Director develop an ongoing communication strategy ensuring benefits are well received, understood, and contribute to the employee value proposition.
• Collaborate closely with multiple stakeholders to ensure that benefit communication materials are accessible, accurate and fully aligned with relevant regulations.
• Develop and maintain regular reporting and executive management scorecards to improve the oversight of benefit plan utilization and costs as well as demonstrate return on investment.
• Deliver annual benefit enrolment processes that are on time, accurate, compliant, well communicated, and provide a positive employee experience.
• In collaboration with the HR Technology team ensure that all employee benefit processes are automated, operate effectively, and periodically reviewed as part of a process of continuous improvement.
• Ensure that the Global Business Service (GBS) teams are equipped to perform benefits administration support and act as the first point of contact for employee needs and concerns. In addition, ensure there is an appropriate escalation process for more sophisticated queries.
• Oversee the benefit administration services provided by GBS and ensure that services are fully compliant and delivered within operating level agreements.
• Provide ongoing monitoring of regulatory changes that affect benefits and ensure that relevant Reward and GBS team members are updated.
• Lead external vendor relationships, including supervising service level agreements.
• Oversee and lead benefit fiduciary committees where appropriate.
• Run and oversee a small team (2) of benefit specialists.

Scope:

Responsibility for oversight and management of employee benefit programs within the AMAC region, which includes healthcare, retirement, life, and other employee risk benefit insurances.

Leadership:

Acts as an internal subject matter authority on all aspects of employee benefits.

Develop effective working relationships which enable collaboration with internal stakeholders.

Handle the relationship with third party vendors, and internal business service teams, holding regular service management meetings to ensure that they meet agreed performance KPIs/SLAs.

What will you need to be successful?

Previous experience of leading benefits within the AMAC region and in designing and delivering effective benefit programs.

A strong technical knowledge of benefits with specific in-depth knowledge of retirement and healthcare plans as well as detailed knowledge of benefits in AMAC.

Ability to work at pace and prioritise workload to changing business needs with a consistent track record in driving high performance and continuous improvement.

Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and the ability to use logic and data to influence decision making.

Experience in building and maintaining strong working relationships with partners at different levels of the organization..

You Unlimited.

• Inclusion, Diversity and Equity - We are committed to welcoming, celebrating and thriving on Diversity! Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website (https://www.smith-nephew.com/)
• Your Future: 401K Matching Program, 401k Plus Program, Discounted Stock Options, Tuition Reimbursement
• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day
• Your Wellbeing: We offer Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program
• Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model (For most professional roles)
• Training: Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship
• Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more!

Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.