International Benefits Lead (US)
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Why this role matters:
As the International Benefits Lead, you will help shape and deliver competitive, compliant and sustainable benefits programs for employees outside the United States. You will serve as a key partner across the organization, providing expertise on international benefits and global mobility while helping ensure programs support employee needs, business priorities and AP’s broader total rewards strategy. You will also lead complex initiatives and vendor relationships across multiple countries, helping strengthen the employee experience as AP’s global benefits function continues to evolve.
What you will do
- Lead the management and evolution of international benefits programs, including health, retirement, wellbeing and other locally provided benefits.
- Partner with brokers, consultants, carriers and vendors on renewals, market reviews, plan changes, implementations and ongoing service delivery.
- Evaluate benefit competitiveness, costs, utilization and market trends, and recommend improvements that balance employee needs, business priorities, compliance and financial sustainability.
- Support benefits budgeting, forecasting, governance and compliance across international markets.
- Lead and support global mobility programs, including international assignments, relocations, transfers, localization, immigration coordination and tax support.
- Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Payroll and external advisors throughout the mobility lifecycle to ensure a consistent and effective employee experience.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on international benefits and global mobility, providing guidance to HR colleagues and business leaders.
- Lead cross-functional benefits and mobility projects, and develop policies, processes, communications, reporting and analytics to support effective decision-making.
- Identify opportunities to improve programs and processes through technology, automation, data and stronger integration across benefits, HRIS, payroll and mobility.
- Build strong relationships with regional stakeholders and external partners and provide occasional support outside standard business hours to accommodate international teams.
Who you are:
- You have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
- You bring significant experience in international benefits, global total rewards, benefits consulting or a related field.
- You have experience supporting benefits programs across multiple countries and regulatory environments.
- You are skilled in managing international benefits renewals and relationships with brokers, carriers, consultants and vendors.
- You understand global mobility programs, including international assignments, relocations, localization, immigration, taxation and cross-border payroll considerations.
- You understand how benefits intersect with compensation, payroll, tax, finance, HR operations and the employee experience.
- You have experience leading complex international projects involving multiple stakeholders, countries and external partners.
- You bring strong analytical and financial skills and can evaluate program costs, market data and utilization trends to inform recommendations.
- You can translate complex information into clear, practical guidance for employees, HR partners and senior leaders.
- You exercise sound judgment, pay close attention to detail and can independently manage multiple priorities in a global environment.
- You communicate effectively across cultures, geographies and organizational levels.
What will set you apart:
- Experience working in a complex multinational organi