Are you passionate about delivering an exceptional portfolio of programs and services across a cluster of countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa?
We are looking for a
Benefits Manager to lead an exciting team!
As a leader, you will have the unique opportunity to shape and guide a team that interfaces with an extensive network of stakeholders, offering both breadth and depth in engagement. Your role will not only require a robust set of skills but also the vision to seize opportunities for growth and innovation. By fostering a culture of excellence and inclusion, you will contribute to life-changing innovations that resonate across the globe, affirming Microsoft's commitment to making a difference in the world
In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of stakeholders across multiple countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa. You will be part of a dynamic team that partners with the broader Microsoft ecosystem to deliver impactful benefits programs that align with our culture and values.
You will have the ability to zoom in and out, from designing the strategy to executing the delivery, while ensuring the highest standards of privacy, equity, security, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
People Management
- Deliver success through empowerment and accountability by modeling, coaching, and caring. Microsoft's approach is:
- Model - Live our culture; Embody our values; Practice our leadership principles.
- Coach - Define team objectives and outcomes; Enable success across boundaries; Help the team adapt and learn.
- Care - Attract and retain great people; Know each individual’s capabilities and aspirations; Invest in the growth of others.
Program Design and Adaptation
- Identify benefits issues, process break downs, and design issues and recommends new benefits opportunities.
- Interpret business needs and compliance requirements. Operationalize complex legal guidance and analyzes competitive market data for a benefits program. Use this insight and works with external partners to improve design of programs.
- Create materials to explain proposed changes associated with benefits programs. Receive approval from management for socialization plans and overall costs of proposed changes.
Program Implementation
- Build relationships and partners with internal teams (e.g., IT, Legal, Tax, Communications, HR Services) using up-to-date expertise to integrate plans and materials before and during the benefits program implementation, and for ongoing management. Execute integration and compliance with internal teams' programs and other systems (e.g., compensation, payroll).
- Manage the implementation of a benefits program (e.g., wellness programs, healthcare, family benefits, etc.) within a particular geographic area by reviewing, providing input on, and approving implementation and readiness materials.
- Coach your team on mitigation strategies and potential legal and regulatory implications of benefits change and readiness plans by staying up to date on relevant legislation and policies
- Interact with internal and external stakeholders to forecast and mitigate legal and regulatory implications.
Program Management
- Run a benefits program and ensure that the program supports the business and HR by monitoring progress and results. Adapt to competing demands, market trends, and organizational changes. Approve collateral and annual process communications.
- Deliver benefits presentations to internal audiences during annual processes and programs, such as open enrollment and new employee orientation.
- Support complex, high-risk projects. Consult and partners with clients as a subject matter expert to resolve technical issues and make recommendations on improving processes. Recommend short- and long-term benefits solutions (e.g., policy adjustments, program corrections, leveraging of existing solutions) to meet business need. Handle complex escalations (e.g., Tier III).
- Ensure alignment of benefits programs to Microsoft philosophy, policies, and procedures, as well as compliance with regulatory policies, governing laws, and principles. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure processes and resources are compliant.
Supplier Selection & Management
- Coach team and co-lead supplier evaluation, requests for proposals, selection, and on-boarding for their areas by executing screening processes involving interviews, annual reviews, and contracting in partnership with other groups (e.g., Procurement, Corporate Functions Engineering, Supplier Security, Privacy Assurance).
- Maintain or improve vendor performance by guiding team monitoring and identifying performance issues. Address supplier-delivery issues and executes solutions to performance issues.
- Establish supplier relationships and negotiates competitive service contracts (for new and current suppliers) to define performance targets and deliverables. Guide your team in managing supplier relationships.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- Experience managing a Benefits program or related program.
- Significant experience in HR, Benefits, or related roles
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, Social Sciences, or related field AND work experience in HR, Benefits, or related roles
- OR equivalent experience.
- English Language Proficiency
Additional Or Preferred Qualifications
- Project management experience.
- People management experience.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
