Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the finance, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, health and legal sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services.
About the role
We are looking for a Benefits Associate Director to join our team.
The EMEA Benefits Associate Director reports to the Vice President, Global Benefits and manages the design, administration, communications, and compliance of benefit programs in EMEA to ensure market competitiveness. The candidate will stay abreast of market and regulatory changes and make recommendations regarding benefits strategy for the region including changes to plan design year over year to ensure that Wolters Kluwer’s offerings are competitive, scalable, and reflective of the varying needs of our distributed workforce.
The Benefits Associate Director will leverage his/her expertise to lead benefits projects across all plans, including comprehensive financial analyses, and presenting best practice recommendations to leadership.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Analyze and review benefit programs and recommend changes in policy, design, pricing, financing, vendors as necessary to ensure programs are efficient, market competitive, compliant with regulatory requirements and aligned to the organization’s strategic objectives
2. Develop reporting metrics and benchmarking regarding current plan performance and costs, including risks and opportunities
3. Develop and manage budgets, financial projections, and analyses for current programs and potential changes
4. Lead plan renewals and RFPs (as needed) for all benefits, partnering with global broker
5. Evaluate, recommend, and implement operational and process improvements in collaboration with HR Service Delivery and external vendors
6. Ensure regional benefit programs meet regulatory, tax, and labor law requirements across EMEA; partner with legal and compliance teams to manage risk and ensure appropriate governance of pension plans, insurance contracts, and benefit schemes
7. Manage vendor relationships (including brokers, insurers, third party administrators and pension providers) and performance to ensure appropriate expert guidance
8. Collaborate with the global Rewards team and HR to scale benefits processes and systems
9. Lead benefits communications to ensure employee understanding and appreciation of benefit programs; execute communications in collaboration with HR Communications, HR Service Delivery, and external communication partners
10. Support wellbeing benefits initiatives to foster a culture of belonging and engagement
11. Support M&A transactions as needed (due diligence, integration, etc.) for related benefits in the region
Job Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in HR, Finance, or Business. Advanced degree preferred
Experience
12. At least 10 years of progressive Corporate Benefits or Benefits consulting experience required with a strong background in design, development, financing, and delivery of benefit programs (including retirement/pensions) for large, multinational corporations; experience managing plans across the EMEA region and/or retirement plans is preferred
13. 5 or more years of experience managing in a matrixed environment
14. Proven track record of successfully partnering with key stakeholders, particularly Finance, Tax, and Legal colleagues to ensure all benefits programs and plans are understood and appropriately managed across the organization
15. Experience working in a global shared services environment with effective strategies to reinforce a shared services engagement model as a leader in a Center of Expertise
Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Certifications
16. Strong business and financial acumen required, including knowledge of actuarial concepts; able to structure and analyze data, develop insights, and formulate an aligned approach and plan
17. Deep compliance knowledge of government regulations and requirements with established network of resources to remain current on market changes
18. Leadership presence with strong collaboration and conflict resolution skills; able to articulate a value proposition and secure buy-in and support from key stakeholders
19. Ability to inspire people to create measurable results; strong interpersonal skills; highly approachable, supportive, and empathetic
20. Superior written and verbal communication skills
21. Demonstrates initiative and drive; self-motivated, organized, and detail oriented; proven capability to thoughtfully plan and simultaneously manage multiple projects
22. Creative and analytical problem-solving skills
23. Comfortable in a fast-paced, global work environment
24. Flexible and approachable work style; comfortable interacting with employees at all levels of the organization
25. Operates with the highest integrity, appropriately manages information of a highly confidential nature
26. Strong MS Office skills required, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
Travel Requirements
Some travel required, generally less than 15% annually
If you think that you have the needed requirements, click on the apply button to join us and #bethedifference. If making a difference matters to you, then you matter to us.