Head of Benefits

Xero; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Global Benefits Lead to design and deliver benefits programs across North America and EMEA. This role involves strategic planning, compliance management, and collaboration with various teams. The ideal candidate will have experience in benefits management, particularly in the US, and strong analytical skills. Join us to contribute to a culture that values diversity and supports employee wellbeing.

Benefits

Generous paid leave

Mental health support

401k matching

Flexible working

Comprehensive insurance

Qualifications

• Experience managing US benefits is essential; experience in Canada and EMEA is preferred.
• Strong understanding of US benefits regulations and market trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a global benefits strategy aligned with Xero’s objectives.
• Manage employee benefits and vendor relationships in North America and EMEA.
• Use data analytics to evaluate and improve benefits programs.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Effective Communication

Project Management

Job description

Our Purpose

At Xero, we’re here to help you supercharge your business. We do this by automating routine tasks, surfacing actionable insights, and connecting businesses with the right data, advisors, and apps. When that happens, we’re not only making life better for small businesses, but also building a stronger economy that can change the world.

The Global Benefits Lead will develop, design, and deliver benefits programs across North America and EMEA, with support for APAC. They will ensure programs align with Xero’s strategy and support talent attraction, motivation, and retention. This role involves close collaboration with Finance, Legal, Procurement, PayTeam, Accounts, and People and Talent Experience teams.

What You'll Do:

1. Strategic Planning and Development: Develop and implement a global benefits strategy aligned with Xero’s objectives. Conduct annual reviews, manage open enrollment, wellness fund planning, and policy updates. Lead global benefits projects, designing and implementing new initiatives to meet employee needs. Lead the development and implementation of environmentally friendly benefits across Xero. Integrate benefit programs for newly acquired groups, ensuring alignment with Xero’s structure and legal requirements.
2. Benefits Administration and Compliance: Manage employee benefits and vendor relationships in North America and EMEA. Ensure benefits plans comply with company policies and local laws (US, CA, EMEA). Complete all compliance activities for US benefit plans, including regulatory filings, updates, and audits. Oversee systems for employee benefits, ensuring data integrity and successful data exchange. Support all benefits activities across the group, including APAC. Vendor and Stakeholder Management.
3. Vendor and Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with brokers and senior leadership to review and implement benefit plan changes. Manage relationships with brokers, vendors, and platform providers, overseeing plan reviews, open enrollment, and new vendor setups. Oversee the US Leaves of Absence program, ensuring proper documentation and support for employees.
4. Communication and Employee Support: Develop regular communication campaigns to keep employees informed about their benefits. Address employee inquiries and manage escalations, improving processes and communication to minimize issues. Support regional wellbeing programs and initiatives.
5. Data Analysis and Reporting: Use data analytics to evaluate and improve benefits programs. Prepare and present performance reports to senior leadership. Act as the contact for benefit expense estimates, forecasts, and calculations, ensuring alignment with Finance.

What Success Looks Like:

• Helping drive Xero’s reward strategy and ensuring programs support our global business goals and objectives.

What You'll Bring:

• Benefits Management: Experience managing US benefits is essential; experience in Canada and EMEA is strongly preferred.
• Global Experience: Successful in geographically and culturally diverse environments.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of US benefits regulations and market trends.
• Analytical Skills: Conduct complex analysis and provide clear findings and recommendations.
• Management: Independently manage projects, keeping stakeholders informed and resolving issues efficiently.
• Effective Communication: Clearly explain complex ideas and escalate issues when necessary.
• Support: Handle employee inquiries and escalations, and support regional wellbeing programs.

Why Xero?

We value diversity of people and ideas. Our human-first culture of respect, fairness, and inclusion helps Xeros thrive. We offer generous paid leave, mental health support, employee resource groups, wellbeing programs, comprehensive insurance, fertility and family support, 401k matching, parental leave, employee share plans, flexible working, career development, and many other benefits that reflect our human values. Join us to do the best work of your life at Xero.

We encourage applicants from underrepresented groups and those who may need support or accommodations during the application and interview process to reach out to us at any time.