Manager, Benefits

Groupe Dynamite, Inc Garage; Mount Royal; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Comprehensive compensation package

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Groupe Dynamite is seeking a Group Benefits Manager to lead the strategy, design and delivery of pension and benefits programs across Canada and the U.S., with oversight of UK pensions. You will report to the Senior Director, Total Rewards, ensuring programs are competitive, compliant and cost-effective, while growing a scalable multi-country function.

The role requires hands-on leadership, renewal negotiations, and collaboration with finance and HR tech to improve employee experience and ensure

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive group benefits and pension experience.
• At least 2 years leading people or programs.
• Deep knowledge of Canadian group benefits and pension plans; U.S. benefits knowledge (ERISA, ACA, 401(k)) is a strong asset.
• Experience renewing and negotiating plans; strong financial acumen on claims, pricing and budgets.
• Retirement plan governance experience with committees, actuaries and investment advisors.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR/Finance; CEBS/GBA/RPA/ PMI qualification is an asset.
• Strong analytical skills; advanced Excel; HRIS (UKG) and Power BI experience.
• Bilingualism in French and English for daily communication with suppliers, employees and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own strategy, design and governance of group benefits and retirement programs in Canada/US and UK pension arrangements.
• Lead and develop the benefits team, coaching for growth and scalable processes.
• Lead renewals and market reviews with brokers, insurers and consultants; analyze claims and negotiate terms.
• Oversee pension governance across Canadian, US 401(k) and UK pension plans.
• Maintain compliance across federal, provincial and state duties; stay ahead of legislation.
• Manage vendor ecosystem end-to-end: carriers, brokers, recordkeepers, TPAs and actuaries.
• Partner with Finance on budgets, forecasting, year-end reporting; build analytics on program performance.
• Support global expansion by benchmarking practices and ensuring compliant benefits offerings.
• Collaborate with HR Technology and Payroll to ensure data accuracy and streamline digital solutions.
• Lead benefits and retirement communications including open enrollment and financial wellbeing.

Skills

Group Benefits

Pension Management

Vendor Negotiations

Budgeting

Data Analytics

Power BI

Excel

Bilingual: French & English

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Finance

CEBS / GBA / RPA / PMI qualification asset

Tools

UKG HRIS

Power BI

Job description

Groupe Dynamite Inc. (GDI) is a Montréal-based, public company of integrated omni-channel brands, designing and distributing accessible, trend-forward fashion for women since 1975.

Our mission of "Empowering YOU to be YOU, one outfit at a time" is brought to life through the GARAGE and DYNAMITE banners and represents the consumer-centric core of GDI's long-standing success as a leading retailer in North America.

Today, GDI operates nearly 300 stores across Canada and the United States, as well as shoppable brand experiences at Garageclothing.com and Dynamiteclothing.com.

Job Summary:

As our Group Benefits Manager, you’ll lead the strategy, design, and delivery of our pension and benefits programs across Canada and the U.S., oversee our pension arrangements in the U.K., and help shape how we take care of our people as we grow into new global markets. Reporting to our Sr. Director, Total Rewards, you’ll make sure our programs are competitive, compliant, cost-effective, and easy for employees to understand and value.

This is a great fit for a hands-on benefits leader who is just as comfortable in the details of a carrier renewal as in a strategy conversation with senior leadership, and who is excited to build a scalable, multi-country function.

Main Responsibilities:

• Own the strategy, design, and governance of our group benefits and retirement programs in Canada and the U.S., and our pension arrangements in the U.K., keeping them competitive, sustainable, and aligned with our Total Rewards philosophy;
• Lead and develop our benefits team, consisting of three Group Benefits Specialists, setting priorities, coaching for growth, and building processes that scale;
• Lead annual renewals and market reviews with brokers, insurers, and consultants, analyzing claim experience, negotiating terms, and recommending plan changes that balance cost and value;
• Oversee pension and retirement plan governance across our Canadian retirement plans, U.S. 401(k), and U.K. workplace pension, including committee support, fund monitoring with our advisors, and fiduciary obligations;
• Keep us compliant across jurisdictions, from federal, provincial and state duties while staying ahead of legislative change;
• Manage our vendor ecosystem end-to-end (carriers, brokers, recordkeepers, TPAs, and actuaries), including contracts, service levels, and performance reviews;
• Partner with Finance on benefits budgets, cost forecasting, and year-end reporting, and build the analytics that show how our programs are performing;
• Support our expansion into new global markets by benchmarking local practices and statutory requirements, and setting up compliant, competitive benefits and pension offerings with the right partners;
• Partner with HR Technology and Payroll to keep benefits data, carrier feeds, and deductions accurate, and to bring in digital solutions that simplify the employee experience;
• Lead benefits and retirement communications, including open enrollment, retirement readiness, and financial wellbeing, so employees understand and value what we offer;
• Prepare clear analyses and recommendations for the Sr. Director, Total Rewards and senior leadership.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of progressive group benefits and pension experience, including at least 2 years leading people or programs;
• Deep knowledge of Canadian group benefits and pension plans, with working knowledge of U.S. benefits (ERISA, ACA, 401(k)), exposure to U.K. pensions or other international markets is a strong asset;
• A track record of leading renewals, plan design changes, and vendor negotiations, with strong financial acumen around claims, pricing, and budgets;
• Experience overseeing retirement plan governance and working with pension committees, actuaries, and investment advisors;
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field–CEBS, GBA, RPA, or a PMI qualification is an asset;
• Strong analytical skills, advanced Excel, plus experience with HRIS (UKG is a real plus) and reporting tools such as Power BI;
• An excellent communicator who can turn complex technical concepts into clear recommendations for employees and executives alike;
• Bilingualism (French and English) is required for daily communication with suppliers, employees, and stakeholders, both within and outside of Quebec;
• Integrity and values that align with our corporate culture;
• A collaborative spirit and positive energy that make you adaptable, accountable, and generous with your time and support.

At GDI, you will be part of a growing organization that understands the importance of investing in people and offers you:

• A comprehensive compensation package that includes performance-driven bonuses;
• A group retirement savings program with employer matching;
• Flexible group insurance with personalized coverage that meets your needs;
• An employee discount at Garage and Dynamite;
• Exclusive private sample sales;
• A flexible vacation policy;
• And more!

GDI has been repeatedly voted one of Montréal’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

Our promise…

No day will be like the last—we aim to be better today than we were yesterday. We are committed to employment equity.

Candidates that are retained will be called for an interview.

#LI-NR1