Compensation and Benefits Manager

Cielo Projects•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Compensation & Benefits Manager, Americas is responsible for the day-to-day administration and delivery of total rewards programs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Reporting into the Total Rewards function, this role serves as the primary point of contact for HRBPs and people leaders on all matters related to compensation and benefits, ensuring programs are administered consistently, compliantly, and in alignment with the organization's total rewards philosophy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
7+ years of progressive experience in compensation and/or benefits administration, with demonstrated experience supporting multi-country programs in the Americas.
Direct hands-on experience administering benefits programs in the US (required), Canada (strongly preferred), and Mexico (preferred).
Strong working knowledge of US benefits regulatory requirements (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA).
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex total rewards concepts clearly to employees, managers, and HRBPs at all levels.
High degree of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach with strong relationship-building skills across HR and the broader business.

Nice To Haves

CCP (Certified Compensation Professional), CBP (Certified Benefits Professional), or PHR/SPHR certification preferred.
Working knowledge of Canadian provincial benefits requirements; familiarity with IMSS/AFORE structures in Mexico
Experience supporting annual merit/compensation planning cycles, including system-based compensation planning tools.
Proficiency with HRIS platforms, specifically Workday (compensation and benefits modules) strongly preferred.
Experience with global job architecture, job evaluation frameworks (e.g., Radford)
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred; French (Canadian) a plus.
Exposure to equity compensation programs (e.g., RSUs, stock options) in a public or PE-backed company context.

Responsibilities

Manage the end-to-end administration of employee benefits programs across the US, Canada, and Mexico, including health and welfare, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement/savings plans (401(k), RRSP, AFORE), and supplemental programs.
Serve as the primary liaison with benefits carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators; manage vendor relationships and monitor service delivery performance.
Respond to escalated employee and HRBP inquiries regarding benefits eligibility, enrollment, plan provisions, and claims resolution.
Partner with Finance and Payroll to ensure accurate and timely benefits deductions, funding, and reconciliation.
Maintain benefits plan documentation, summary plan descriptions (SPDs), and required regulatory filings (e.g., 5500s, ACA reporting, provincial filings in Canada).
Lead the annual open enrollment process for the Americas region, including project planning, timeline management, system configuration, and employee communications.
Collaborate with benefits brokers and carriers to evaluate plan design options, benchmark plan competitiveness, and finalize renewal decisions.
Partner with HRIS/Workday teams to configure enrollment events, eligibility rules, and employee-facing content within the benefits administration platform.
Develop and deliver enrollment communications, FAQs, and educational materials tailored to each country's benefit offerings and regulatory requirements.
Conduct post-enrollment audits to validate data accuracy and resolve discrepancies between the HRIS, payroll, and carrier systems.
Support the annual merit and compensation planning cycle, including preparation of manager-facing materials, Workday compensation task configuration, and administration of the merit upload process.
Serve as a resource for HRBPs during the compensation planning window, responding to questions on compensation guidelines, band structures, and Workday functionality.
Partner with HRBPs on off-cycle compensation actions, including promotional increases, equity adjustments, and new hire offers, ensuring alignment with compensation philosophy and band guidelines.
Support the administration of short-term incentive programs, including target setting data collection, payout calculations, and communication coordination.
Act as the dedicated compensation and benefits resource for HRBPs supporting US, Canada, and Mexico business units, providing timely, accurate guidance on total rewards matters.
Advise HRBPs on total rewards implications for key talent actions including new hires, transfers, promotions, and restructurings.
Participate in HR operations meetings and project teams to represent the Total Rewards function and ensure seamless alignment across HR disciplines.
Proactively identify trends or recurring issues surfaced through HRBP inquiries and recommend program or process improvements accordingly.
Ensure benefits and compensation programs remain compliant with applicable federal, state/provincial, and local regulations across all three countries, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, provincial health insurance acts, and Mexican Social Security Law (LSS/IMSS).
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting total rewards programs in the US, Canada, and Mexico; communicate implications and recommend program adjustments as needed.
Support internal and external audits related to compensation and benefits programs.