Senior Benefits Manager - Portfolio Strategy

Novo Nordisk A/S; Plainsboro Township (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk A/S is seeking a Benefits Partner to drive data-informed benefit priorities and competitive programs. You will analyze cost drivers, utilization, and market trends, and lead RFPs with vendors to optimize plans and compliance.

You will partner with Finance, Procurement, Legal, and HR to implement new benefits and ensure effective communication, governance, and program success across the North America region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant experience may be substituted for degree, when appropriate
• Advanced degree and/or certification (CEBS or CBP) in a benefits related area or progress toward obtaining preferred
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in HR or related industry with at least eight years in Benefits
• Previous administration and design experience with self-insured medical and 401(k) plans required. Previous experience with disability / leave administration and large corporations (1000+ employees) preferred
• Must have a working knowledge of IRS, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ADA and FMLA rules and regulations as they pertain to employee benefits
• Track record of accomplishment in benefits benchmarking, cost/financial analysis, benefits design, benefit administration, employee communications, leadership presentations and vendor management required
• Ability to effectively plan, prioritize, execute and follow-up in a timely manner required. Proven ability to work across functional areas with all levels of stakeholders both locally and globally
• Exceptional collaboration skills, strong relationship building and stakeholder management required. Flexibility to meet business needs while moving key initiatives and priorities forward
• Strong analytical capabilities and ability to synthesize complex information into user-friendly, persuasive formats and presentations required
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communication and presentation skills required
• Demonstrated solid problem solving and analytical ability required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook required
• Experience in benefit negotiations with plan vendors and consultants preferred
• Experience with new business development (including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures) and associated benefit-related due diligence processes / compliance requirements preferred
• Experience with artificial intelligence platforms, agents and/or digital innovation solutions within the Total Rewards field preferred

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development of annual and multi-year benefits strategy focused on competitiveness and cost effectiveness
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify priorities and analyze cost drivers, utilization, and trends
• Benchmark benefits against other employers using surveys and information sources
• Innovate wellness and work/life/voluntary benefits strategy
• Lead RFPs and contract renewals; implement new benefits programs
• Maintain vendor relationships, ensure timely, compliant delivery of services, and address deficiencies
• Develop benefits communications and thought leadership across the Global PLP COE
• Provide subject matter expertise for NA region and broader company strategy
• Participate in benefit committees; chair as needed when Benefits Director is absent
• Support business development and integration of new employees into benefits
• Assist with ad-hoc deliverables as needed

Skills

Benefits analysis

Vendor management

Data insights

Stakeholder collaboration

Cost benchmarking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

CEBS or CBP certification

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

Job description

Location: Plainsboro, NJ, US

About the Department

Imagine being a part of a team committed to helping people defeat diabetes and other serious chronic conditions. Here at Novo Nordisk, we seek out opportunities to contribute to healthier communities and better lives for all people. And, that’s what you’ll gain by joining Novo Nordisk’s People & Organization team. Our P&O team is passionate about their purpose – enabling business success the Novo Nordisk Way by turning the Company’s business strategy into an actionable workforce strategy. A strategy which captures the entire employee life-cycle. At Novo Nordisk, you will join an inclusive team of diverse talent and benefit from a range of possibilities for professional and personal development. Are you ready?

The Position

Serve as a Benefits Partner with a focus on data insights & innovation. Partner with stakeholders to identify benefit priorities. Perform analysis to identify cost drivers, utilization levels and market trends. Evaluate and compare existing company benefits with those of other employers. Develop specific recommendations for review by leadership to ensure that the benefit programs remain competitive, cost effective and support lasting health. Lead requests for proposals (RFPs) and implementation of new or modified employee benefits programs and services. Perform ongoing vendor performance and help ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Relationships

Reports to the Director, Benefits Portfolio. Interacts with personnel at all levels of the HR community and Novo Nordisk affiliates, including cross functional departments such as Finance, Procurement and Legal. External relationships include vendors and consultants. Plays an important internal consultant role with broader Global Total Rewards Development team and with the broader People, Leadership and Performance (PLP) COE which includes Leadership & Learning, Culture, Total Rewards and Mobility.

Essential Functions

• Contribute to the development of annual and multi-year benefits strategy with a focus on ensuring benefits remain competitive, cost effective and support lasting health. Develop specific recommendations for review by management based on the following:
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify priorities
  • Perform analysis to identify cost drivers, utilization levels and market trends
  • Complete benchmarking by evaluating and comparing existing company benefits with those of other employers using surveys and other sources of information
  • Innovate wellness and work/life/voluntary benefits strategy
  • Leverage AI to develop options that help drive a highly effective organization and reinforce our reputation and position in the market
• Develop, implement and manage procedures relating to benefit plan compliance with federal, state and local regulations, including HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, ERISA, Internal Revenue Code, etc
• Interpret benefit plan provisions and resolve associated conflicts
• Manage flexible work options program and other work/life/voluntary benefits as needed
• Lead requests for proposals (RFPs) and contract renewal negotiations
• Implement new benefit programs and approved benefit changes with applicable vendor partners
• Maintain vendor relationships and ensure timely, accurate, compliant delivery of services. Ensure SLA's are achieved and/or action plans developed and implemented to address deficiencies
• Contribute to development and maintenance of a benefits communication strategy
• Proactive thought leadership and effective collaboration across the Global PLP COE various functional areas
• Contribute benefits subject matter expertise to any global design or long-term strategy for the North America Region and/or broader company strategy
• Participate in benefit committees and counsels; serve as chairperson as needed in Benefits Director absence
• Support new business development including review and analysis of benefits offerings and seamless integration of new employees into benefits
• Support key ad-hoc deliverables as needed

Physical Requirements

This position can be based in Lexington, MA or Plainsboro, NJ.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree required; relevant experience may be substituted for degree, when appropriate
• Advanced degree and/or certification (CEBS or CBP) in a benefits related area or progress toward obtaining preferred
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in HR or related industry with at least eight years in Benefits
• Previous administration and design experience with self-insured medical and 401(k) plans required. Previous experience with disability / leave administration and large corporations (1000+ employees) preferred
• Must have a working knowledge of IRS, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ADA and FMLA rules and regulations as they pertain to employee benefits
• Track record of accomplishment in benefits benchmarking, cost/financial analysis, benefits design, benefit administration, employee communications, leadership presentations and vendor management required
• Ability to effectively plan, prioritize, execute and follow-up in a timely manner required. Proven ability to work across functional areas with all levels of stakeholders both locally and globally
• Exceptional collaboration skills, strong relationship building and stakeholder management required. Flexibility to meet business needs while moving key initiatives and priorities forward
• Strong analytical capabilities and ability to synthesize complex information into user-friendly, persuasive formats and presentations required
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communication and presentation skills required
• Demonstrated solid problem solving and analytical ability required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook required
• Experience in benefit negotiations with plan vendors and consultants preferred
• Experience with new business development (including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures) and associated benefit-related due diligence processes / compliance requirements preferred
• Experience with artificial intelligence platforms, agents and/or digital innovation solutions within the Total Rewards field preferred

The base compensation range for this position is $120,300 to $222,600. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy and parental leave policy.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.