Sr Associate Benefits

Job description

Career Category Human Resources Job Description Role Description: The Senior Associate, Benefits supports the administration, compliance, and daily operations of the EMEA benefits programs. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate plan administration, a seamless employee experience, and strong vendor performance across both countries. The position partners closely with HR, Payroll, Legal, Finance, local HR counterparts, vendors, and external advisors to deliver high-quality service and continuous improvement across EMEA benefit offerings. Roles & Responsibilities: Benefit Administration & Operations Oversee day‑to‑day administration of EMEA benefit plans (health, dental, life assurance, disability, retirement/pension schemes, wellness programs, statutory allowances, and local market‑specific benefits) Serve as primary contact for employees and HR partners regarding benefit inquiries, eligibility, and issue resolution. Manage enrollments, life‑event changes, terminations, and ensure timely updates in HR systems including Workday and vendor platforms. Coordinate with Payroll on benefit deductions, taxable benefit adjustments (e.g., Benefit‑in‑Kind, Share plans, Car Lease …etc), and data reconciliations Vendor & Partner Management Partner with benefit providers (e.g., local health insurers, pension administrators, wellness vendors) to resolve operational issues and track adherence to SLAs. Review and validate vendor reports, eligibility files, invoices, and monthly/annual plan reconciliations. Support annual plan renewals, vendor transitions, new plan implementations, and configuration updates in Workday. Compliance & Governance Ensure benefits align with EMEA statutory & upcoming requirements, including but not limited to EU changes requirements, Revenue Commissioner tax rules, Benefit‑in‑Kind taxation, maternity/parental leave entitlements, statutory reporting, local social security obligations, accident insurance rules, pension fund requirements, and insurer reporting. Maintain audit‑ready documentation, policies, SOPs, and benefits records. Support internal and external audits by providing complete and accurate data and responding to compliance inquiries. Employee Experience & Communication Support the design, review, and delivery of clear benefits communications, including enrolment materials, intranet content, FAQs, and employee guides. Facilitate benefits onboarding and offboarding touchpoints for employees across Ireland and Switzerland. Identify and recommend opportunities to enhance employee understanding, satisfaction, and utilization of benefits programs. Projects & Continuous Improvement Contribute to annual Open Enrollment planning and execution. Support benefits projects, including technology enhancements, process optimization, and vendor transitions Analyze trends in employee inquiries, vendor performance, enrollment patterns, and identify opportunities to streamline processes or improve service delivery. Basic Qualifications and Experience: 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, preferably supporting EMEA or multi‑country benefits programs. Strong understanding of EMEA statutory frameworks and tax considerations. Experience with HRIS systems such as Workday, and third‑party administrator platforms; familiarity with ServiceNow is preferred. Experience working with global vendors, cross‑functional teams, and remote workforce support. Skills: Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced global environment. Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across time zones with employees, HR, and business partners. Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and recommend improvements. High attention to detail, strong documentation discipline, and process‑oriented approach. Customer‑centric mindset with a focus on enhancing employee experience. Ability to navigate complex, diverse, global organizational structures. .