Global Benefits Manager, Plan Management

About us

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

At National Grid Ventures, we aim to create an environment where everyone is welcomed for who they are and where our differences are celebrated. We utilize the insights of our employees that come from all different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs to better serve our customers and communities.

National Grid is hiring a Global Benefits Manager, Plan Management. The hybrid role can be located in either our Brooklyn, NY or Waltham, MA office. 

Job Purpose

The Global Benefits Manager, Plan Management is responsible for managing National Grid US & UK benefit programs that span health, welfare and voluntary plans, time off programs, and benefits related perks and policies for both active and retired employees, ensuring benefits are cost effective and running efficiently for the company and our colleagues. Responsibilities include implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving programs while providing hands on leadership, guidance and direction to a team of specialists to ensure deployment of the company’s benefits programs are done with accuracy, with a specific focus on improving the quality & execution of the process.

You are a critical stakeholder within the Global Benefits COE to ensure alignment with activities related to strategic decisions, budget, compliance, and communications. You will regularly consult with internal stakeholders to interpret plan and policy provisions and solve/resolve complex situations. You will ensure that benefits plans and programs are implemented appropriately and in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, and support overall employee benefits education, communication and engagement efforts. This role manages 3-4 direct reports.

Key Accountabilities

• Responsible for plan management and governance including holding vendors accountable to their contracts, managing the renewal process, oversight of benefit plan reporting and costs, and coordinating all stewardship meetings with vendors (monthly, quarterly, annual).
• Manage a team of global benefit specialists responsible for holding vendors accountable for plan performance.
• Lead the implementation of all new benefits, and updates to existing benefits, in collaboration with global benefits strategy team, internal and external stakeholders.
• First point of contact with benefit vendors and other internal and external stakeholders during implementation of new and updates to existing benefits; and with Employee/People Services team with oversight of benefits administration activities related to active employee and retiree benefits.
• Responsible for maintaining strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, including Employee Services, HRIS, legal and others.
• Ensure benefit eligibility, plan, program, and policy updates are made accurately and on time with vendors, in the benefit administration system, and on communication platforms.
• Identify opportunities to integrate and streamline plans, programs, policies, and processes.
• Drive global annual open enrollment/flexible benefit window activities in collaboration with Employee/People Services and benefit platforms.
• Responsible for benefit plan renewals including collaborating with benefits strategy team, benefits consultant, and other internal teams on negotiating plan terms.
• Plan management expert & liaison for activities related to request for proposals, M&A and divestiture efforts, US & UK union negotiations, and calendar and fiscal year budget planning.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on global benefits, eligibility, and legislation.
• Coordinate with Global Communications Lead to ensure benefit plan coverage and rules are accurately communicated to employees year round.
• Collaborate with Wellbeing and Absence teams to ensure benefit programs are administered and delivered in accordance with regulations, plan documents and policies.
• Respond to inquiries from business partners and leadership on plan activities impacting employees and plan participants.
• Delegate day to day and project work to specialists and other team members as appropriate.
• Act as part of the Global Benefits and Reward team to ensure alignment with total reward principles and the People contract.
• Prepare presentations for team and stakeholder groups as necessary.
• Expert understanding of benefit plan costs including participation in development of calendar and fiscal year budget planning.
• Collaborating with compliance team to ensure all plan documentation (i.e. SPD, SMM) remain accurate and up to date based on current plan and eligibility changes.
• Ensure alignment of benefits with legislative and regulatory changes.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of global benefits compliance requirements, including relevant legislation and market practices in the UK, US, and internationally.
• Keep abreast of peer and national benchmarking trends, market disruptions and legislative changes, for employer sponsored benefits and retiree medical, that may impact global benefit strategies, and identify potential impacts on benefit plan costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance or related field required.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in benefits plan management, administration and communication of an array of health & welfare benefits, with ownership of vendor relationships, cross-functional partnerships, benefit and/or human resources operations, and compliance on a global scale.
• Strong knowledge of global benefits regulations, market trends, and best practices (including US ERISA, IRS regulations, HIPAA; UK Salary Sacrifice and benefits compliance).
• Demonstrated skills in decision making, presentation development and delivery, project management, problem-solving, strategic thinking, the ability to influence, and research.
• Ability to interpret and advise on various contracts, policies, and other written materials.
• Proficiency in using HRIS, benefits platforms, and data analytics tools.
• Proven success in managing global projects and multiple stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and project management skills.
• Certification such as CEBS or SHRM-SCP preferred.
• Master's degree or equivalent in relevant field preferred.

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