Benefits Manager, Absence and Policy Lead

Google; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 162,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Benefits Manager, Absence and Policy Lead to optimize benefits strategies and manage US statutory leave programs. The role involves leading a team, overseeing vendor relationships, and ensuring compliance with labor laws. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership and analytical skills, along with a Bachelor's degree and substantial HR experience.

Qualifications

• 5 years of HR experience managing strategy and financial planning for US leave and risk programs.
• Experience in US statutory leave programs, benefits, labor law, and captive program management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering individual growth.
• Design, implement, and administer compliant absence management programs.
• Manage external vendor relationships and annual budget planning.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Benefits Manager, Absence and Policy Lead

Join to apply for the Benefits Manager, Absence and Policy Lead role at Google

Benefits Manager, Absence and Policy Lead

Join to apply for the Benefits Manager, Absence and Policy Lead role at Google

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The application window will be open until at least May 19, 2025. This opportunity will remain online based on business needs which may be before or after the specified date.

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

This role may also be located in our Playa Vista, CA campus.

Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Mountain View, CA, USA; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Austin, TX, USA; Boulder, CO, USA; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington D.C., DC, USA.Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of HR experience managing strategy and financial planning for US leave and risk programs (life insurance, disability insurance, statutory leaves), vendor management of insurance providers, and leave administrators.
• Experience in US statutory leave programs (PFL, FMLA, USERRA, ADA), benefits, labor law, and captive program management.
  
  

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience leading high-performing teams and influencing senior-level stakeholders.
• Proven ability to strategically plan and optimize global benefits programs, creating proposals for program changes/optimization, and managing budgets/POs.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, presenting data-driven strategies.
• Skilled in influencing cross-functional teams and advocating impactful, large-scale initiatives.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration, communication, and executive presence.
• Adept at product management, guiding initiatives from concept to scalable results.
  
  

About The Job

At Google, we aim to foster the healthiest workforce and our Benefits team drives these efforts. From retirement planning to financial literacy courses to healthy living campaigns, our Benefits team runs programs that are designed to keep our global Googlers healthy and happy.

You are able to swiftly maneuver through the complexity of serving different legal and cultural practices for our global offices, while also finding creative opportunities to provide Googlers with helpful support. You are mission-driven, enthusiastic and have the creativity to develop and manage benefits programs. You'll build an understanding of what wellness truly means, and implement innovative programs as Google grows in size.

As the People Operations US Absence and Policy Benefits Manager, you will lead a team to develop and implement industry-leading benefits strategies, optimizing end-to-end user journeys. Your team will manage US statutory leave programs (including PFL, FMLA, USERRA, ADA), benefits administration, labor law compliance, and captive program oversight. Key responsibilities include managing large-scale insurance and leave administrator vendors, alongside meticulous financial planning and budget oversight.

Great just isn't good enough for our People Operations team (known elsewhere as "Human Resources"). We bring the world's most innovative people to Google and provide the programs that help them thrive. Whether recruiting the next Googler, refining our core programs, developing talent, or simply looking for ways to inject some more fun into the lives of our Googlers, we bring a data-driven approach that is reinventing the human resources field.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $162,000-$240,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google .

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering individual growth, driving thought leadership, and advocating career advancement for team members.
• Design, implement, and administer compliant absence management programs (FMLA, ADA, Workers' Comp, state leaves), ensuring clear employee guidance.
• Oversee comprehensive benefits (life, disability, survivor income, backup/elder care, supplemental), ensuring competitive, cost-effective, and compliant offerings.
• Manage external vendor relationships, including contract renewals, security/privacy assessments, and annual budget planning while mitigating associated legal, financial, and operational risks.
• Collaborate with HR, legal, and finance to align benefits with business strategy, stay updated on industry trends, manage projects, and ensure overall program integrity.
  
  
  

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development, Human Resources, and Consulting

• Industries

  Information Services and Technology, Information and Internet

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