Senior Manager, Benefits

SES Satellites; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Satellites is seeking a Senior Manager, Benefits to lead global benefits, well-being, and leave programs across regions. This hands-on leader will shape a forward-looking strategy, ensure compliance, and drive operational excellence in benefits design, delivery, and governance.

You will partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Procurement, IT, and regional teams, manage vendor relationships, and develop a high-performing global benefits team while balancing cost, risk, and employee experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business admin or related field.
• Eight+ years in benefits or total rewards with at least three in management.
• Experience designing and managing multinational benefits programs.
• Knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits technology.
• Experience with external vendors and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Fluency in English; additional languages a plus.
• Comfort with AI and automation to enhance workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and governance of global health, wellness, retirement, and leave programs across regions.
• Oversee benefits operations, vendor management, and service delivery.
• Develop and execute a forward-looking global benefits strategy.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Procurement, IT, and regional teams to ensure compliance and delivery across geographies.
• Ensure fiduciary integrity and financial stewardship of benefits programs.
• Lead vendor strategy and governance, including broker relationships.
• Establish KPIs and leverage data to improve ROI and program effectiveness.
• Develop scalable, cross-functional, cross-regional solutions to improve efficiency.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Employee communications

People development

Change management

Budget & financial acumen

Vendor management

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

HRIS

AI tools

Automation platforms

Job description

This Senior Manager, Benefits is responsible for leading SES’s global benefits, well‑being, and leave offering while also serving as the lead benefits workstream owner for harmonization of benefit programs. The incumbent ensures the effective design, delivery, and governance of global benefits programs, with particular focus on benefits operations, compliance, vendor management, employee communications, and service delivery.

The role is a hands‑on leader who shapes and executes a forward‑looking, innovative global benefits strategy that enhances the employee experience, supports business growth, and ensures long‑term sustainability. It requires strong technical benefits expertise, project leadership capability, and the ability to balance compliance, cost, operational excellence, and change management in a fast‑moving environment, coupled with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Primary Responsibilities / Key Result Areas

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of health, wellness, retirement, and leave programs across the U.S., LATAM, EMEA, and Asia Pac, ensuring alignment with business needs, employee expectations, and local market practices.
• Drive operational excellence by optimizing benefits processes and leveraging technology and data analytics to expand program reach, enhance the employee experience, and improve efficiency, scalability, and decision‑making.
• Own and evolve the global benefits communication strategy, ensuring clear, inclusive, and impactful messaging that increases employee understanding, engagement, and perceived value of the total rewards offering.
• Partner cross‑functionally with HR, Finance, Legal, Procurement, IT, and regional teams to ensure compliance, financial discipline, and seamless program delivery across geographies.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship and fiduciary integrity of global benefits programs, including oversight of funding strategies, vendor performance, and risk management practices.
• Lead vendor strategy and governance, including selection, performance management, and optimization of broker and partner relationships to deliver high‑quality, cost‑effective solutions.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs), leveraging employee feedback, benchmarking, and data insights to continuously improve program effectiveness and ROI.
• Identify and address operational and administrative challenges, developing scalable, cross‑functional and cross‑regional solutions that enhance efficiency and service delivery.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing global benefits team, building capabilities in strategic thinking, innovation, and execution while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Competencies

• Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise‑level strategies while maintaining strong operational oversight and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Experience managing U.S. Pension Plan and Retiree Medical, including SOX controls, annual audits, HRA development, retiree premiums, and collaboration with administrators, actuaries, and auditors.
• Deep expertise in global benefits design, governance, and compliance across U.S., LATAM, EMEA, and Asia Pac, with the ability to navigate diverse regulatory and cultural environments.
• Demonstrated success driving innovation and transformation, including the use of technology, digital platforms, data analytics, and automation to modernize benefits delivery and improve employee experience.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, funding strategies, vendor negotiations, and cost‑optimization initiatives.
• Track record of balancing strategic leadership with hands‑on execution, adopting a pragmatic problem‑solving approach.
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams, inspiring, coaching, and building organizational capability globally.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, translating complex concepts into clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, building trusted partnerships and driving alignment across functions and regions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum eight years of progressive experience in benefits administration or total rewards, with at least three years in a managerial role.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and managing benefits programs in a multinational environment.
• Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits technology platforms is an advantage.
• Experience working with external vendors, brokers, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Comfort using AI and automation tools to enhance workflows and productivity.
• Fluency in English, with proficiency in additional languages considered a plus.

Other Key Requirements / Comments

• Occasional international travel may be required.
• Ability to work across multiple time zones.

The salary range for this full‑time position is $180,000 - $210,000. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and geographic location. Individual compensation within the range is determined based on work location and a variety of factors, including job‑related skills, experience, qualifications, and relevant education or training. Additional compensation and benefits may apply depending on the location and terms of employment.

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.