Director – North America Benefits

Thomson Reuters

. Own the strategic direction of US and Canada benefit programs, including retirement, health and welfare, wellbeing and ancillary programs .

Posted 9/21/2026full-timeEagan • Minnesota • United StatesLead💰 $137,200 - $254,800 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading North American benefit programs, including retirement, health and welfare, and ancillary benefits, while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Proven ability to drive strategic initiatives, vendor management, and employee engagement through effective communication and data-driven decision-making.

Highest-signal resume keywords

10+ Years Experience In Benefits ManagementPeople Leadership And Team DevelopmentStrong Knowledge Of IRS, DOL, ERISA, HIPAA RegulationsData Analysis And Financial SkillsAdvanced Certification Such As CEBS Or SHRM

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Benefits Program DesignVendor ManagementFinancial AnalysisCost Savings IdentificationPlan Compliance And GovernanceData-Driven ProposalsBenefit Pricing StrategiesPlan RedesignsM&A IntegrationDefined Benefit De-Risking

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationInfluencing Without AuthorityGenuine Service OrientationCoaching And MentoringRelationship Building

Tools & Technologies

Digital Platforms For Benefits CommunicationBenefits SystemsReporting Standards

Certifications & Qualifications

CEBSSHRM

Industry Keywords

North American Benefits ProgramsHealth And Welfare ProgramsRetirement ProgramsAncillary BenefitsEmployee EngagementCompliance And Audit RequirementsHR PoliciesMarket Trends BenchmarkingVendor Contract NegotiationsProcess Simplification

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the strategic direction of US and Canada benefit programs, including retirement, health and welfare, wellbeing and ancillary programs
Lead benefits managers and analysts across the US and Canada
Assess and propose the global benefits strategy and agenda with the Director, International Benefits
Drive design, implementation and delivery of competitive, innovative and cost-efficient benefit programs
Improve employee understanding and use of benefits and wellbeing programs
Drive vendor improvement, process simplification, automation and best-in-class platform experiences
Lead strategic vendor contract negotiations with Sourcing and brokers
Lead plan redesigns, vendor implementations, M&A and divestitures, outsourcing and defined benefit de-risking projects
Ensure North America programs support the global wellbeing strategy and Reward agenda
Build relationships with business partners, senior leadership and corporate functions
Manage team direction, performance, development, compensation recommendations and resource allocation
Coach the team on plan design, vendor management and financial analysis
Oversee IBNR, fringe and benefits and retirement budgets and cost centers
Develop benefit pricing strategies and recommendations for senior leadership
Identify cost savings and avoidance opportunities
Manage invoice approvals within applicable thresholds
Oversee plan compliance and governance, internal controls and audit requirements
Serve as a plan fiduciary and on relevant retirement, investment, pension, ERISA appeal and severance committees
Lead North America benefits communications strategy and employee engagement
Develop data-driven proposals, benchmarking and reporting on market trends and competitor practices
Build business cases and write papers for Committees and the Board
Support HR M&A due diligence, contracting and integration for North America transactions
Sponsor cross-team initiatives involving process design, benefits systems, tooling, reporting standards and vendor governance
Take on additional duties and special projects for the Reward team

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of experience in a broad, benefits-focused role, including at least five years leading teams
Experience across North American retirement, health and welfare, ancillary benefit programs, and related HR policies
Demonstrated people leadership, including hiring, performance management, development and pay decisions
Strong working knowledge of IRS, DOL, ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA and FMLA regulations and Canadian equivalents
Strong financial and quantitative skills
Ability to use data analysis to derive insight and support fact-based decisions
Record of building business cases and writing papers for committee and Board audiences
Ability to partner with and influence people across HR and the business without formal authority
Comfort with technology and experience delivering benefit programs and communications through digital platforms
Effective communication at every level and genuine service orientation toward employees
Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience (preferred)
Advanced certification such as CEBS or SHRM (preferred)
Experience leading benefits through M&A, divestiture or outsourcing transitions (preferred)
Experience of defined benefit de-risking, including annuity purchase (preferred)
Experience working in a large, global, matrixed organization (preferred)