Global Benefits Strategy Lead

Inizio; Yardley (Bucks County); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Inizio is seeking a Global Benefits Director to lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of our benefits programs, with primary focus on the U.S. and key markets including the U.K. and Ireland.

You will be strategic yet hands-on, a strong project and stakeholder manager who can build a cohesive benefits strategy, drive cost discipline, and operate at pace in a fast-moving environment. Partnering with HR, Finance and senior leadership, you will ensure programs align with business

Qualifications

• 15 years of experience in benefits / total rewards, with deep U.S. health and welfare expertise.
• Experience within a large professional services organization.
• Working knowledge of U.K. and Ireland benefits with willingness to deepen expertise.
• Proven experience managing complex, global programs and vendor relationships.
• Strong financial acumen (cost modeling, budgeting, forecasting).
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-change environment (private equity experience preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of a global benefits strategy with primary ownership of U.S. health and welfare programs.
• Ensure benefits programs align with cost targets, market positioning, and Total Rewards strategy.
• Design and optimize benefits across the U.S., U.K., and Ireland (medical, pension, and risk benefits).
• Own U.S. health and welfare programs (medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, disability).
• Drive plan design, vendor strategy, and cost management initiatives.
• Lead renewals, RFPs, and vendor management to optimize performance and cost outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements (ACA, ERISA).
• Oversee pensions, medical, and insured benefits in UK & Ireland, ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and validate cost models, savings opportunities, and ROI.
• Establish governance, reporting, and KPIs to monitor performance and drive accountability.

Skills

Strategic thinker

Leading cross-functional teams

Vendor management

Financial acumen

Strong communicator

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field

Master's degree preferred

CEBS

SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP

Other relevant certifications

Job description

At Inizio, we're a global team driven by a shared purpose: to reimagine health. Formed in 2022 through the coming together of Ashfield and Huntsworth, we unite decades of experience with cutting-edge capabilities to deliver impactful solutions across the commercialization journey - from discovery to post-launch. Our global network of over 10,000 experts operates across 50 countries, supporting clients with strategic insight, medical excellence, creative engagement, and real-world delivery. We work with the world's leading health and life sciences businesses to solve complex challenges and drive meaningful outcomes for our clients and patients.

What sets Inizio apart is our people - and we believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive. Here, you're encouraged to reimagine your possibilities: to grow, to be curious and to make real change happen. It's a place where your individuality is valued, your development is supported, and your ambition is celebrated. If you're ready to push boundaries and accelerate your career, Inizio is the best place to be.

The role

We are seeking a Global Benefits Director to lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of our benefits programs, with a strong focus on the U.S. and key markets including the UK and Ireland.

This role requires a thoughtful, planful, and commercially minded leader who is both strategic and hands-on — a strong project and stakeholder manager who can build and execute a cohesive benefits strategy while driving cost discipline and operational rigor. This individual will be entrepreneurial and proactive, able to operate at pace, take ownership, and drive both strategy and execution in a fast-moving environment.

The role partners closely with HR, Finance, and senior leadership to ensure benefits programs are aligned with business objectives, cost targets, and talent strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a global benefits strategy, with primary ownership of U.S. health and welfare programs
• Ensure benefits programs are aligned with cost targets, market positioning, and overall Total Rewards strategy
• Design and optimize benefits across the U.S., UK, and Ireland (medical, pension, and risk benefits)

U.S. Benefits Leadership (Primary Focus)

• Own U.S. health and welfare programs, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and disability
• Drive plan design, vendor strategy, and cost management initiatives
• Lead renewals, RFPs, and vendor management to optimize performance and cost outcomes
• Ensure compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements (ACA, ERISA, etc.)

UK & Ireland Benefits

• Oversee pensions, medical (where applicable), and insured benefits
• Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements (e.g., UK pensions, auto-enrolment, Irish frameworks)
• Support harmonization and optimization across markets
• Partner with Finance to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost reduction initiatives
• Develop and validate cost models, savings opportunities, and ROI
• Establish governance, reporting, and KPIs to monitor performance and drive accountability

Execution & Operations

• Lead implementation of plan changes, vendor transitions, and new programs
• Ensure accurate and timely execution in partnership with Payroll and Technology
• Drive process improvements and identify opportunities to reduce manual effort
• Identify and manage financial, operational, and compliance risks across benefits programs
• Establish strong controls across systems, vendors, and processes to ensure data integrity and accuracy

Stakeholder & Communication

• Partner with senior stakeholders (HR, Finance, and Business Leaders) to align strategy and decisions
• Lead communication strategies to improve employee understanding and engagement
• Navigate complex and sensitive decisions with clarity and influence
• Lead and develop a lean team supporting U.S., UK, and Ireland benefits
• Define a clear operating model, ensuring work is performed at the appropriate level across the team and shared services
• Partner with People Services to ensure effective employee support and issue resolution

Experience & Qualifications

• 15 years of experience in benefits / total rewards, with deep U.S. health and welfare expertise
• Experience within a large professional services organization
• Working knowledge of UK and Ireland benefits (pensions, medical, regulatory requirements) with the willingness to deepen expertise
• Proven experience managing complex, global programs and vendor relationships
• Strong financial acumen (cost modeling, budgeting, forecasting)
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-change environment (private equity experience preferred)

Education

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field required
• Master's degree preferred
• CEBS
• SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP
• Other relevant benefits or compensation certifications

Leadership Profile

• Thoughtful and planful — able to build structured, forward-looking strategies
• Entrepreneurial and proactive — takes initiative and drives progress
• Strong project and stakeholder manager — drives alignment and execution across functions
• Hands-on and execution-focused — comfortable operating as a working manager
• Commercially minded — understands cost, risk, and business impact
• Collaborative and influential — builds trust and credibility with stakeholders
• Strong communicator — able to distill complexity into clear, executive-ready insights
• Detail-oriented with a strong control mindset

What Success Looks Like

• Delivers benefits programs that support talent attraction, retention, and overall employee experience
• Achieves measurable cost optimization aligned to business targets
• Establishes a clear, disciplined benefits strategy aligned to business goals
• Builds strong cross-functional partnerships
• Ensures consistent, high-quality execution across markets

Our Pledge

At Inizio, we value inclusivity, recognize the power of diversity and inspire the next generation of change-makers. We are an equal opportunities employer. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion. We aim to recruit from a diverse slate of candidates and foster an environment that provides the right conditions for long-term success. We welcome all applications regardless of race, color, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, military veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation and physical or mental disability.

#LI-DT2 #LI-REMOTE

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. This range may differ based on your experience and skill set, geographic location, and cost of living considerations. We consider compensation more than just a base salary – that’s why we also offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits, personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation

$170,000 - $210,000 USD

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! Our company is dedicated to building an inclusive and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others.

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