Benefits Program Manager

Base Poland (Poland); Kraków; Hybrid; PLN 190,000 - 286,000; Full time

Job summary

Zendesk Poland is seeking a Benefits Program Manager to shape regional employee benefits across EMEA, balancing a human-centered experience with cost containment and vendor accountability. You will lead global initiatives, partner with People Operations, Payroll, HRIS and IT, and ensure compliance with GDPR and other regulations while driving program optimization through data analytics.

This hybrid role offers visibility in a global organization and opportunities to influence benefits strategy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years in Benefits or HR with strong program design.
• Knowledge of global statutory benefits and GDPR/EEOC compliance.
• Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills; customer-focused mindset.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management experience.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration software.

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee employee benefits programs aligned with strategy.
• Develop communications plans for benefit program changes.
• Create delivery models for benefits with tech support.
• Manage relationships with benefit vendors and brokers.
• Collaborate with People Operations, Payroll, HRIS, IT.
• Provide guidance on employee escalations.
• Ensure compliance and risk management for benefits programs.
• Lead global initiatives to elevate benefits at Zendesk.

Skills

Benefits expertise

Vendor management

Regulatory compliance

HRIS knowledge

Data analysis

Change management

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

7+ years in Benefits/HR

Tools

HRIS

Benefits administration software

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

By submitting your application, you agree that Zendesk may collect your personal data for recruiting, global organization planning, and related purposes. Zendesk's Candidate Privacy Notice explains what personal information Zendesk may process, where Zendesk may process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over Zendesk’s use of your personal information.

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.

If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here.

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.

What’s it like to work here?

Our offices reflect the global cities we call home, and have spaces for collaboration, quiet, and events. With our hybrid approach, you’ll experience flexibility and connection, collaboration, and learning with your team.