Senior Manager, Global Benefits

Slalom; Manchester; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Slalom in Manchester is seeking a senior leader to drive Global Benefits governance and strategic initiatives across regions. You will partner with the Director, Global Benefits to operationalize the benefits roadmap, manage governance frameworks, and steer vendor relationships.

The role emphasizes analytics, policy development, change management, and stakeholder engagement to balance global consistency with local requirements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in global benefits strategy and operations.
• Experience supporting multiple countries and regions in a complex global environment.
• Demonstrated experience executing benefits strategy and governance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of benefits compliance, policy development, risk management, and governance practices.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and driving outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnership capabilities.
• Experience influencing decisions and building alignment across diverse groups.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and performance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and lead through change.

Responsibilities

• Operationalize the Global Benefits strategy and operating model across regions.
• Develop and maintain governance frameworks and decision processes.
• Lead strategic initiatives, policy enhancements, and harmonization efforts.
• Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements while aligning global practices.
• Manage vendor strategy, performance reviews, and supplier governance.
• Provide analytics and insights to support leadership decisions.

Skills

Global benefits strategy

Governance frameworks

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

Analytics & reporting

Policy development

Change management

Cross-region collaboration

Leadership

Job description

The role serves as a key leader within the Global Benefits Center of Excellence, responsible for supporting execution of the global benefits strategy through governance, policy development, stakeholder engagement, vendor management, analytics, and strategic initiative leadership. Partnering closely with the Director, Global Benefits, this role helps operationalize strategic priorities, strengthen governance practices, drive alignment across regions, and ensure successful execution of the global benefits roadmap. The role supports evolution of the Global Benefits operating model while balancing global consistency with regional needs and local requirements.

GLOBAL STRATEGY, GOVERNANCE & OPERATING MODEL

• Partner with the Director, Global Benefits to operationalize and execute the Global Benefits strategy and operating model.
• Develop and maintain global governance frameworks, decision-making processes, operating standards, and accountability models.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of the future-state Global Benefits operating model.
• Drive adoption of governance practices across regions and stakeholder groups.
• Identify opportunities to improve consistency, scalability, service delivery, and operational effectiveness across the function.

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Build trusted partnerships with PBPs, People leaders, Finance, Legal, Procurement, HR Operations, and regional stakeholders.
• Provide recommendations and guidance on benefits programs, governance practices, operating model execution, and industry best practices.
• Partner with regional stakeholders to support successful execution of global priorities while balancing local market requirements.
• Influence stakeholders through data, analytics, market insights, and business recommendations.
• Drive alignment across stakeholder groups to support consistent execution of global priorities.
• Support communication and stakeholder engagement strategies that enable successful adoption of new programs, policies, and governance processes.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE LEADERSHIP

• Lead execution of the Global Benefits strategic roadmap in partnership with the Director, Global Benefits and Global Benefits Program Manager.
• Provide leadership for global and regional benefits initiatives, including policy enhancements, harmonization efforts, vendor transitions, compliance initiatives, and program improvements.
• Ensure initiatives achieve intended business outcomes and remain aligned to strategic priorities.
• Partner with project resources and regional stakeholders to support successful implementation and adoption.
• Identify, escalate, and resolve barriers impacting successful delivery.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT & HARMONISATION

• Lead development, review, and governance of global benefits policies, frameworks, and guiding principles.
• Identify opportunities to harmonise practices globally while maintaining compliance with local legal and regulatory requirements.
• Establish governance processes that ensure policies remain current and aligned with organizational objectives.
• Support regional stakeholders in implementation and interpretation of policy changes.

COMPLIANCE, RISK & GOVERNANCE OVERSIGHT

• Maintain visibility into emerging regulatory, compliance, operational, and vendor-related risks across regions.
• Partner with Legal, HR, Procurement, and regional stakeholders to assess and mitigate risks.
• Develop governance mechanisms supporting compliance monitoring, audit readiness, and risk management activities.
• Provide recommendations regarding risk mitigation and remediation efforts.
• Escalate significant risks and implementation challenges to leadership as appropriate.

VENDOR GOVERNANCE & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Support development and execution of the global vendor strategy.
• Establish vendor governance standards, performance measures, and service expectations.
• Lead vendor performance reviews and strategic business reviews across key partners.
• Support vendor selection activities, market assessments, benchmarking efforts, and RFP processes.
• Identify opportunities for vendor optimisation, standardization, and improved employee experience.
• Monitor contractual performance, service quality, and risk indicators.

ANALYTICS, INSIGHTS & DECISION SUPPORT

• Establish and evolve reporting and analytics frameworks that support informed decision-making.
• Analyse utilisation, participation, cost, risk, and trend data across regions.
• Develop reporting, presentations, and recommendations for leadership audiences.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights and improvement opportunities.
• Increase visibility into the effectiveness and performance of global benefits programs.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Support change management efforts associated with benefits programs, policies, governance practices, operating model enhancements, and vendor changes.
• Develop stakeholder engagement approaches that support adoption and business readiness.
• Identify and mitigate organizational readiness risks.
• Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence across the global benefits function.

What You''ll Bring

REQUIRED

• Significant experience in global benefits, total rewards, or employee benefits strategy and operations.
• Experience supporting multiple countries and regions within a complex global environment.
• Demonstrated experience executing benefits strategy and governance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of benefits compliance, policy development, risk management, and governance practices.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and driving successful business outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnership capabilities.
• Experience influencing decisions and building alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and performance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and lead through change.

PREFERRED

• Experience operating within or supporting a Global Benefits Center of Excellence.
• Experience supporting organisational transformation, operating model evolution, or change initiatives.
• Experience supporting vendor strategy, RFP activities, and vendor optimisation efforts.
• Exposure to benefits strategy and governance across Americas, EMEA, and APAC.
• Consulting or professional services experience.