Benefits Program Manager

Zendesk; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Zendesk is seeking a Benefits Program Manager to lead the design, delivery, and optimization of employee benefits across the EMEA region. You will partner with People Operations, Payroll, HRIS and IT to ensure a compelling, compliant and cost-effective program that attracts and retains top talent.

The role requires 7+ years in benefits or HR, strong regulatory knowledge (GDPR/EEOC/HIPAA), excellent data analytics and stakeholder collaboration, and a creative, global mindset to balance empathy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in HR, business, or related field.
• 7+ years in Benefits or HR with global perspective.
• Knowledge of global statutory benefits requirements.
• Familiarity with EEOC, HIPAA, GDPR and related regulations.
• Analytical, problem-solving and strong communication skills.
• Customer-focused, collaborative mindset with vendor negotiation skills.
• Experience leading change management for benefits programs.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and oversee employee benefits programs aligned with company goals.
• Develop communication plans to convey benefits value and changes.
• Deliver efficient delivery models for benefits with technology and internal/external support.
• Manage relationships with vendors/brokers, including contracts/renewals.
• Lead operationalization with People Operations, Payroll, HRIS and IT.
• Provide guidance on escalations and ensure compliance and risk management.
• Analyze benefits data to drive program optimization and global initiatives.

Skills

Benefits program design

Vendor management

Data analytics

Change management

Global regulatory knowledge

Financial acumen

HRIS experience

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS software

Benefits administration tools

Job description

The Benefits Program Manager will play a strategic role in the EMEA region in shaping the future of our organization’s employee benefits offerings by delivering programs that attract and retain best-in-class talent, empower our employees to be their best selves, and align with the overall strategic objectives of the organization. Serving as the regional Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will balance a human-centered employee experience with rigorous cost containment, optimizing programs through forward-thinking strategies, strong financial acumen, and technology. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your career in a global strategic position while managing vendor accountability, cross-functional risk mitigation, and continuous process optimization.

In This Role You Will

• Design, implement, and oversee employee programs that align with organizational values, goals, strategies and market competitive practices
• Develop and execute employee communication plans on benefit programs and changes that effectively convey the value of programs.
• Design and implement efficient and effective delivery models for benefits programs to deliver consumer grade employee experience, leveraging appropriate internal/ external support and technology.
• Manage relationships with benefit vendors and brokers, including negotiating contracts/renewals and vendor performance monitoring/ review
• Provide leadership and partnership in operationalization of benefits programs with People Operations, Payroll, HRIS, IT and other teams.
• Provide guidance to People Operations/ Services on employee escalations
• Manage compliance and risk management related to benefits programs. including but not limited to related local regulatory reporting, audits, retirement committees.
• Continuous assessment of program effectiveness through benefits data/ analytics to drive program optimization.
• Lead global initiatives across team aimed at elevating Benefits at Zendesk.

To Succeed You Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or a related field OR equivalent experience necessary to obtain theoretical and practical knowledge to successfully fulfill the scope and responsibilities of the position.
• Experience in Benefits or Human Resources demonstrating the ability to perform the role at level, typically seen with 7+ years of professional working experience.
• Knowledge of global statutory benefits requirements.
• Knowledge of global government regulations related to benefits programs, including EEOC, ADA, HIPAA, GDPR requirements.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal interaction skills, with a customer-focused and collaborative mindset.
• Strong knowledge of benefits programs design and management including health, risk, retirement, leave, etc. and market trends
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to create a good understanding of programs by employees.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience managing vendor relationships.
• Strong proficiency in leading and implementing change management efforts for benefits programs changes.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong proficiency in interpreting/ leveraging data to drive program decisions
• Strong cultural awareness and appreciation for diverse employee backgrounds.
• Ability to balance empathy and understanding of employees’ needs with business goals and objectives.
• Strong financial acumen.
• Proficiency in process design for benefits programs.
• Previous experience in HRIS and benefits administration software
• Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to respond to changing priorities in a fast-moving environment/ industry.
• Strong growth mindset and learning agility
• Ability to think global and act local to effectively drive global initiatives and manage local benefits programs
• Ability to analyze complex data sets and draw key actionable insights
• Holding a creative approach towards problem solving

About Us

Zendesk builds software for better customer relationships. It empowers organizations to improve customer engagement and better understand their customers. Zendesk products are easy to use and implement. They give organizations the flexibility to move quickly, focus on innovation, and scale with their growth.

More than 100,000 paid customer accounts in over 150 countries and territories use Zendesk products. Based in San Francisco, Zendesk has operations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.

Interested in knowing what we do in the community? Check out the Zendesk Neighbor Foundation to learn more about how we engage with, and provide support to, our local communities.

Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The Poland annualized base salary range for this position is zł190,000.00-zł286,000.00. Please note that while the salary range represents the minimum and maximum base salary rate for this position, the actual compensation offered will be based on job related capabilities, applicable experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for bonus, benefits, or related incentives that will be communicated during the offer stage.

The Intelligent Heart Of Customer Experience

Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love.

Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.

As part of our commitment to fairness and transparency, we inform all applicants that artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision systems may be used to screen or evaluate applications for this position, in accordance with Company guidelines and applicable law.

Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer.

Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] with your specific accommodation request.