Executive Director, Global Benefits Plans

Job Title: Executive Director, Global Benefits Plans

Location: Northville, MI USA

Tenneco is one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers, with approximately 66,000 team members working at more than 200 sites worldwide. Through our four business groups, DRiV, Performance Solutions, Clean Air and Powertrain, Tenneco is driving advancements in global mobility by delivering technology solutions for diversified global markets, including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway, industrial, motorsport and the aftermarket.

This key strategic and experienced leader, along with a team of benefits professionals, will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing Tenneco’s employee and executive benefits program, including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and leave policies. This person will ensure compliance with legal regulations, manage employee enrollment and communication regarding their benefits packages and partner with finance and accounting to guarantee accurate financial reporting and expense recognition. While highly USA-focused, the leader will expand the role to include other key countries within the Tenneco scope. The position is be based in Northville, MI USA and reports directly to the VP, Total Rewards of the company.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Lead the strategic planning, design, implementation, and compliance of global employee benefits programs that balances a best-in-class program, strong employee value with budget considerations ensuring alignment with global total rewards objectives.
• Vendor Relationships: Research and select benefit advisors / providers, negotiate contracts, monitor performance and spend.
• Program Management: Oversee health, welfare, and retirement plans, including medical insurance, life insurance, defined benefit and contribution arrangements, and other employee benefits.
• Cost Management: Partner with internal stakeholders to track benefits utilization and spend data in a more sophisticated matter to proactively identify cost-saving opportunities and manage plan budgets. Generate reports on utilization and cost trends.
• Communication: Develop and execute benefits communication strategies to improve employee awareness and utilization of programs.
• Data Analytics: Analyze benefits utilization, costs, and employee feedback to inform program enhancements.
• Change Management: Ability to drive change within the organization and shift expectations of both management executives and employees.
• Alternative Funding Strategies: Showcase ability to consider and drive alternative funding strategies to reduce expense, such as a transition to self-funding, pooling or reinsurance.
• Market Research: Stay updated on industry trends and emerging benefit options to maintain a competitive package.
• Collaboration: Partner with HR leadership to integrate benefits into overall employee and talent acquisition strategy.
• Compliance Oversight: Ensure all benefit plans adhere to federal, state and local regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA, as well as applicable international compliance regulations in those countries where Tenneco has a local presence.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Advanced degree and professional certification (CEBS, GPA, RPA, etc.) desirable.

Experience: 10+ years in a global, complex organization, including M&A due diligence, international pooling and alternative funding strategies.

Skills

• Highly analytical coupled with strong intuition; able to think and react quickly. Ability to analyze data and identify trends to inform benefit decisions.
• Self-confidence and clarity of expression to lead discussions with internal executive audiences, and challenge current practices.
• Hands-on experience leading multi-regional or global initiatives.
• Strong attention to detail, exceptional follow through and consistently delivers results.
• Strong project management skills – time management, pattern recognition, prioritization and judgement are critical; ability to work well under pressure without compromising quality.
• Ability to work independently and proactively in a high performing global organization.
• Highly collaborative and capable of working effectively cross functionally.
• Track record of managing change through influence; capable of driving decisions across a diverse set of internal stakeholders. 
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills; comfortable and credible with both internal stakeholders and external audiences. 
• Demonstrated maturity and professional presence, comfortable interacting with senior executives.
• A flexible, dynamic, proactive and empathetic individual; able to motivate self and others; easily accepts constructive input from others.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.