Zendesk

Senior Manager, Benefits

Zendesk

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Dublin • Ireland

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Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Develop and evolve the global benefits strategy aligned with organizational goals, talent strategy, and financial parameters.
  • Partner with senior HR, Finance, and business leaders to ensure benefits programs support workforce strategy and long-term business objectives.
  • Assess market trends, regulatory shifts, and competitive positioning to inform strategy and program enhancements.
  • Lead multi-year roadmap planning for global benefits, including program design evolution, vendor optimization, and technology enablement.
  • Provide thought leadership on total rewards philosophy and future-forward benefits design.
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of 4–5 Benefits Program Managers.
  • Set clear goals, establish accountability, and ensure effective execution across global initiatives.
  • Foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and consistent standards across regions.
  • Drive professional development and succession planning within the team.
  • Oversee the design, implementation, and administration of global benefits programs including health, risk, retirement, leave, wellbeing, and statutory offerings.
  • Ensure programs are delivered through efficient, scalable operating models that create a consumer-grade employee experience.
  • Guide the team in managing employee escalations and complex cases in partnership with People Operations.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Payroll, HRIS, IT, Legal, and Finance to ensure seamless operationalization.
  • Establish governance frameworks and performance standards for consistent execution globally.
  • Oversee vendor strategy, broker relationships, contract negotiations, renewals, and performance management.
  • Ensure vendor accountability through service-level monitoring and regular performance reviews.
  • Lead financial planning, forecasting, and cost management for global benefits programs.
  • Identify cost optimization opportunities while maintaining competitive positioning and employee value.
  • Ensure adherence to global statutory requirements and regulatory frameworks (e.g., EEOC, ADA, HIPAA, GDPR and country-specific requirements).
  • Oversee audits, reporting obligations, and governance committees (e.g., retirement committees).
  • Proactively identify and mitigate compliance risks.
  • Drive a data-informed approach to program evaluation and optimization.
  • Establish key performance indicators and metrics to measure program effectiveness and employee engagement.
  • Leverage analytics to guide strategic decisions and demonstrate program impact to leadership.
  • Lead global initiatives to continuously elevate benefits strategy, execution standards, and employee experience.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in Benefits or Total Rewards, including demonstrated leadership experience.
  • Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
  • Deep knowledge of global statutory benefits requirements and regulatory compliance frameworks.
  • Strong expertise in benefits program design and management across health, risk, retirement, leave, and wellbeing programs.
  • Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost modeling.
  • Proven ability to translate strategy into scalable, operationally sound programs.
  • Experience leading vendor negotiations and managing complex vendor ecosystems.
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to interpret complex data sets.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders.
  • Strong change management capability and experience leading enterprise-wide initiatives.
  • Proficiency in HRIS and benefits administration systems.
  • Strong process design and continuous improvement orientation.
  • High cultural awareness and ability to lead programs across diverse global populations.
  • Ability to balance employee advocacy with business objectives in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated growth mindset and learning agility.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
benefits program designvendor managementfinancial planningbudgetingforecastingcost modelingdata analysiscompliance risk mitigationprogram evaluationemployee engagement metrics
Soft Skills
leadershipteam developmentcommunicationinfluencingchange managementcollaborationanalytical thinkingstrategic decision-makingcultural awarenessgrowth mindset