Benefits Manager – North & Central America
Houston, TX (Hybrid | 3 days in-office)
We’re looking for an experienced Benefits Manager to lead the strategy and execution of employee benefits across the U.S., Canada, and Central America. This role owns both the big-picture vision and the day-to-day excellence of health & welfare, retirement, leaves of absence, and workplace accommodations.
You’ll lead a high-performing team, partner with global and regional stakeholders, and use data, analytics, and market insight to continuously evolve the employee benefits experience.
Bilingual candidates required.
What You’ll Do
- Own the strategic and operational management of benefits programs across North America, Central America, and South America
- Build and maintain best-in-class vendor partnerships, ensuring service excellence and cost efficiency
- Execute local and regional benefits strategies aligned with global objectives
- Ensure compliance with U.S., Canadian (federal & provincial), and LATAM regulations, including collective agreements where applicable
- Leverage benefits trends and analytics to drive innovation, engagement, and informed decision-making
- Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert to HR, leadership, and employees
- Partner closely with Total Rewards, Legal, Payroll, Finance, and Employee Relations
- Lead the Healthcare Governance Committee, overseeing healthcare spend and cost-containment strategies
- Drive benefits innovation, system enhancements, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Communicate clearly and confidently with employees at all levels
- Handle sensitive employee data with the highest level of discretion and professionalism
- Support planning, testing, and implementation of new systems and updates
- Perform other duties as assigned
Leadership Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a multi-functional benefits team (health & welfare, retirement, LOA, accommodations)
- Establish team goals, KPIs, and performance expectations
- Manage team scheduling, training, and ongoing development
- Make day-to-day operational decisions for the function
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Bilingual English/Spanish – verbal and written (required)
- Bilingual English/French – verbal and written (nice to have)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex benefits data
- Proven ability to influence and partner with stakeholders at all organizational levels
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and time management skills
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (required)
- Master’s degree and/or professional certification (e.g., CEBS) preferred
- 10+ years of progressive experience in benefits management
- 5+ years in a leadership role overseeing benefits teams
Core Competencies
- End-to-end benefits expertise: strategy, plan design, compliance, vendor governance, systems, and execution
- Hands-on experience managing benefits across North America and LATAM
- Proven ability to lead geographically dispersed teams supporting large employee populations
- Experience with HRIS platforms, preferably Workday and/or SuccessFactors
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; comfortable leveraging AI and emerging technologies
- Strong decision-making, communication, and confidentiality management skills
- Ability to thrive under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Location & Work Model
This is a hybrid role based in Houston, TX. Candidates must be local or willing to relocate and work onsite 3 days per week.
