Senior Director, Global Benefits

About the role

The owns the end-to-end strategic design, governance, and operational management of the global benefits and perquisites portfolio. This role owns the development of a cohesive global benefits strategy that attracts, engages, and retains top talent while ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability for the organization. You will own the leadership of the Benefits operations function, driving resource optimization and cost-efficient best practices to deliver a superior employee experience. In this capacity, you will partner closely with Corporate Communications and Culture to develop and execute an engaging communications strategy that ensures every employee understands the full value of their benefits package. You will serve as the primary subject matter expert for the Labor Relations team, providing strategic modeling and direct support during collective bargaining negotiations related to welfare and retirement provisions. This role requires a deep commitment to The New York Times mission of seeking the truth and helping people understand the world, with a specific focus on the value of journalistic independence. You will leverage technology and administrative best practices to manage operational costs and increase efficiency while maintaining strict compliance. The position is a hybrid role based in the New York headquarters, with an expectation of approximately three days per week in the office.

Key facts

What you'll do

Develop and implement a global benefits strategy that aligns with organizational goals, ensuring equity and relevance in local markets across the US and internationally.

Oversee the design and execution of all benefits programs, ensuring they remain competitive, comprehensive, and compliant with local, federal, and international regulations such as ERISA, ACA, and GDPR.

Lead the Global Benefits Operations department, overseeing a team of benefits administrators to deliver a high-quality employee experience through efficient processes and clear governance.

Serve as the primary benefits subject matter expert for the Labor Relations team, providing strategic modeling and direct support during collective bargaining negotiations regarding welfare and retirement provisions.

Source technologies and administrative best practices, while managing operational costs to increase efficiency and maintain fiscal discipline across the benefits portfolio.

Monitor market trends, benchmarks, and best practices to lead innovation in plan design, ensuring The New York Times remains relevant when compared to market peers.

Oversee relationships with third-party vendors, carriers, and consultants to ensure high service levels, strict compliance, and a strong return on investment.

Collaborate with Legal counsel to review plan documents and summary plan descriptions, ensuring all programs meet legal requirements and help minimize organizational liability.

Ensure that benefit plans for unionized employees are administered in strict accordance with collective bargaining agreements and related contractual obligations.

Demonstrate support for and understanding of the organization's value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to the mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.

Manage the development and rollout of employee communications and educational initiatives to drive awareness and effective utilization of benefits programs.

Analyze complex data sets and interpret plan metrics to identify trends, recommend improvements, and support evidence-based decision-making for leadership.

Champion a culture of continuous improvement by evaluating vendor performance, identifying gaps, and implementing solutions that enhance the employee experience.

Provide executive-level reporting and insights on benefits performance, costs, and utilization to inform strategic workforce decisions.

Requirements

Bring a minimum of 10 years of experience in benefits design and administration, with demonstrated leadership experience managing global benefits functions in a complex environment.

Possess prior experience working with a unionized workforce and supporting labor negotiations related to welfare and retirement benefits.

Showcase expertise in US regulations including ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and FMLA, along with a working knowledge of international social security systems and statutory requirements.

Prove a track record of translating complex benefits concepts into clear, accessible language for executive partners and employees at all levels.

Demonstrate the ability to interpret complex data, manage substantial budgets, and drive cost-containment strategies that preserve program integrity.

Exhibit strong judgment and discretion when handling sensitive employee information and confidential benefit issues.

Highlight a history of building strong relationships with external vendors, carriers, and consulting partners to ensure high service standards.

Display excellent written and verbal communication skills to facilitate collaboration with cross-functional partners and legal counsel.

Nice to have

Preferred experience in a dynamic, fast-paced media environment with a deep understanding of mission-driven organizations.

Familiarity with The New York Times benefits structure and total rewards philosophy is a significant advantage.

Experience with benefits technology platforms and data analytics tools specific to global administration.

Practical notes

This is a hybrid role based in our New York headquarters. You can typically expect to be in the office 3 days per week.

No specific travel, visa, or deadline information is provided within the source material.