Head of US Benefits

Head of US Benefits

Gaithersburg, MD

Human Resources

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days a week from office

Are you ready to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit and make a significant impact on the lives of our employees? We are seeking a US Benefits Lead based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This role focuses on working with colleagues and outside service providers to ensure our benefits strategy and execution reflect the needs of AstraZeneca and our employees. 

What you'll do

As the Head of US Benefits, you will help develop the US benefits strategy and oversee key benefit plans including healthcare, retirement savings, life, disability and various other benefit plans and policies. You will serve as a subject matter expert on the plans’ provisions and operations, ensuring efficient administration in accordance with legal requirements. You will oversee the management of plan documents and provider contracts, monitor plan cost, design and participation, oversee compliance matters, and drive communication/education strategy of the various plans. As part of the role, you will mentor a team of benefits professionals. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

• Create and implement benefit strategy through development and management of key benefit programs 

• Supervise review of benefits provisions, monitoring financial impact, compliance and competitiveness of package to market.  

• Lead all aspects of the documentation and communication of benefit programs with a key focus on employee experience 

• Be responsible for the review of benefit policies, ensuring adherence with regulatory, legal and compliance requirements 

• Handle benefits integration activity related to mergers and acquisitions 

• Manage relationships with consultants, vendors, and insurance providers ensuring benefit programs are being enhanced 

• Ensure alignment of benefit program delivery with wider HR and business objectives 

• Leverage benefits technology platforms and HRIS systems to streamline processes, improve data analytics/reporting and enhance the employee experience 

• Help to build team capabilities within the function to ensure delivery against objectives and that we maintain a critical focus on our talent pipeline 

• Help build awareness of our benefits programs/process with key US and Global stakeholders 

Essential for the role

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field 

• 4+ years experience overseeing and designing US employee healthcare and retirement savings plans 

• Experience working in a large, matrixed organization with a significant population of US employees

• Significant experience working with third-party outsourced benefit administrators 

• In-depth expertise of policies, processes, procedures and legislation pertaining to healthcare, retirement savings, and other benefit areas