Benefits Manager - Americas

Avantor is seeking a Benefits Manager - Americas to join our organization! This role is accountable for the design, governance, and execution of benefits programs within the Company's Global Benefits Governance Framework. You will provide senior level leadership for health, welfare, retiree medical, and retirement plans, translating global strategy into compliant, cost effective, and competitive benefit solutions in the Americas.

The role holds decision-making authority for specific, defined categories of U.S. benefits changes and for insured coverages in Canada and LATAM, within established governance and authority thresholds. You will oversee complex benefits operations and vendor relationships, as well as partner closely with HR, Legal, Sourcing, Finance, Payroll, and external vendors to ensure benefits programs are delivered accurately, compliantly, and in alignment with organizational priorities.

How you will thrive and create an impact

• Own benefit program execution and decision-making for specific, defined categories of U.S. benefits changes, including plan design adjustments, operational enhancements, and vendor actions that fall within established governance and authority thresholds.

• Own benefits program execution and decision-making for Canada and LATAM within the Global Benefits Governance Framework and applicable authority thresholds.

• Translate global benefits strategy, market trends, utilization data, and regulatory requirements into executable U.S. benefits recommendations, decisions, and implementation plans within approved governance parameters.

• Provide end-to-end accountability for benefits administration, ensuring accurate, compliant, and controlled execution across enrollment, eligibility, vendor administration, employee issue resolution, and ongoing operations.

• Oversee compliance for federal, state, and local health, welfare, and retirement plan requirements, including required filings, audits, valuations, testing, disclosures, and annual legal notices, in partnership with Legal, Finance, and third-party administrators.

• Serve as the senior escalation point and subject-matter expert for complex benefits matters, applying policy interpretation, risk assessment, and governance requirements to resolve issues or escalate when authority thresholds are exceeded.

• Lead large-scale and complex benefits projects and recurring processes, setting priorities, resolving issues, managing risks, and adjusting execution approach within approved governance and authority thresholds.

• Govern carrier, administrator, broker, consultant, and other vendor relationships to ensure service quality, contractual compliance, operational accountability, and timely resolution of escalated issues.

• Drive continuous improvement of benefits processes, controls, documentation, and operating procedures to strengthen compliance, scalability, employee experience, and operational effectiveness.

• Own benefits cost stewardship by monitoring utilization, cost drivers, vendor performance, budget performance, and emerging risks within established financial governance frameworks.

• Execute approved cost-management actions and support vendor negotiations, contract renewals, and pricing reviews in alignment with financial governance, sourcing requirements, and approved authority thresholds.

• Ensure accurate, timely, and controlled benefits data transmission across HRIS, payroll, vendors, and internal stakeholders, including identification and resolution of systemic data integrity issues.

• Direct U.S. benefits communications for approved program changes, open enrollment, compliance notices, and ongoing employee education to ensure clear, accurate, and timely messaging.

• Directly manage and develop benefits analysts by providing coaching, prioritization, performance management, workload planning, and decision support.

• Build team capability, accountability, and resilience through clear expectations, effective delegation, knowledge sharing, and consistent leadership practices.

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.

• 8-12 years of progressive experience in benefits administration, analysis, or management.

• Demonstrated experience owning complex benefits programs, vendor relationships, and cross functional initiatives.

• Experience with Workday highly preferred

• Experience with Businessolver a plus

• Knowledge of benefits legislation and processes is necessary to ensure plan compliance and appropriate plan administration

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and to adhere to tight deadlines is necessary in order to manage projects and processes within the timelines allowed by law and projects with various contingencies attached to tasks.

• Ability to clearly communicate key messages to target audiences whether carriers, consultants, Company leadership, HR, or associates.