About the Role

Job Purpose

The Director of Global Benefits is responsible for implementing and managing employee benefit programs across the U.S. and U.K. in alignment with established strategy. This role focuses on Benefit Plan management, vendor and contract management, compliance, policy creation, maintenance, and execution, and employee communications. Working closely with various stakeholders, this position ensures operational excellence and legal compliance across a complex, multi-state and multi-union environment, including support for retirees.

This role has strong growth and development potential within the Reward organization. We are looking for a highly motivated self-starter individual who is passionate about Benefits, likes to challenge the norm, reduce complexity and is keen to progress into a longer-term career in Reward.

Key Accountabilities

• Administer and manage global benefit plans including health, welfare, various point solutions, wellness, voluntary programs and related policies, as well as PMI, Salary Sacrifice, statutory leave and paid time off programs.
• Provide leadership, guidance and direction while ensuring the regional deployment of the company’s benefits programs including annual open enrolment and benefits flex enrollment
• Champion the transformation of the Benefits function into a Global platform.
• Provide oversight, expertise and guidance to the People Support group responsible for shared services (HRIS, payroll, outsourced administration).
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, IRS, DOL, and other federal/state/local regulations in the U.S., and in the national insurance and private medical requirements in the U.K.
• Maintain and update plan reporting and disclosure, including SPDs, SMMs, SARs, 5500 and other regulatory filings.
• Manage relationships and accountability of external vendors, consultants, and third-party administrators.
• Negotiate and oversee contracts and service level agreements with benefit providers.
• Support labor negotiations related to benefit plans and policies.
• Manage retiree benefit programs, including retiree medical, dental, vision and life insurance, and ensure service quality and cost control.
• Collaborate with internal teams including People Support, Labor Relations, Finance, Treasury, Legal and Tax.
• Implement benefit programs and changes in collaboration with the Benefits Strategy team.
• Lead benefit communications and employee education initiatives to enhance understanding and engagement.
• Support M&A due diligence and integration activities related to benefits.
• Support rate case filings by drafting testimony and providing exhibits in support of the successful recovery of benefit cost elements in rates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or CEBS certification preferred.
• 10+ years of extensive experience in benefits strategy, plan management, vendor management, policies and compliance in large, complex organizations.
• Experience managing benefit programs in unionized environments and for retiree populations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. and U.K. benefits regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage vendors, contracts, and benefit operations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills at the executive level.
• Experience with digital benefit platforms and employee self-service tools.

More Information

Salary

Downstate NY: $188,000 - $221,000 a year

New England MA: $176,000 - $207,000 a year

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.