Sr. Manager, Global Benefits

Job Description

GLAUKOS - SENIOR MANAGER BENEFITS (Aliso Viejo, CA)

How will you make an impact?

The Senior Manager, Benefits is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for designing, implementing, communicating, and administering comprehensive global employee benefits programs. This role ensures that benefits and leave programs are competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with the company's total rewards strategy. The ideal candidate has extensive experience managing self-funded medical plans, global benefit programs, leave of absence administration, and vendor relationships in a dynamic, evolving organization.

What will you do?

• Lead benefits strategy and execution - Oversee the design, implementation, and management of U.S. and global benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, retirement (e.g., 401(k), NQDC, international pension plans), voluntary benefits, and leave of absence.
• Ensure compliance and risk management - Manage all benefits compliance activities, including 5500 filings, nondiscrimination testing, ACA reporting, and 401(k) audits.
• Optimize global benefits administration - Partner with regional HR leaders and consultants to develop and standardize global benefit plans, policies, and offerings.
• Manage leave of absence programs - Continuously improve processes and systems for medical, parental, personal, and statutory leaves while ensuring compliance with U.S. and international regulations.
• Serve as a compliance expert - Act as the subject matter expert on ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, and international benefits regulations.
• Analyze and enhance benefits programs - Evaluate plan performance, cost trends, and employee feedback to refine benefits strategies.
• Collaborate with Finance - Partner with Finance to forecast, monitor, and manage the benefits budget.
• Work with Payroll and Finance teams - Ensure accuracy in benefit deductions, support California VDI budgeting, and manage leave-of-absence pay administration.
• Lead benefits enrollment and change management - Oversee U.S. annual open enrollment and mid-year benefits updates, ensuring seamless execution and employee support.
• Manage vendor relationships - Oversee partnerships with brokers, TPAs, carriers, wellness providers, and global consultants.
• Develop employee communications - Create engaging, inclusive materials to educate employees about benefit programs and drive awareness and utilization.
• Lead and develop the benefits team - Mentor and manage a team while fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Stay ahead of industry trends - Monitor legislation and market trends to ensure compliance and maintain a competitive benefits offering across all regions.

How will you get here?

• Education - Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master's degree or relevant certification such as CEBS, SPHR, or GBA preferred).
• Experience - 9+ years of progressive experience in employee benefits, including 3+ years in a leadership role managing self-funded plans.
• Global expertise - Experience managing international benefit programs and working with global vendors and consultants.
• Technical knowledge - Strong understanding of self-insured medical plan operations, stop-loss insurance, claims analysis, and cost-containment strategies.
• Compliance knowledge - In-depth understanding of U.S. and international benefits and leave laws and regulations.
• HR systems proficiency - Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems.
• Project management and communication skills - Strong ability to lead projects, analyze data, and communicate effectively across teams.
• Experience in a dynamic environment - Background in a global, multi-state organization experiencing rapid growth or transformation.
• Wellness and mental health program expertise - Experience launching or optimizing wellness and mental health initiatives across multiple geographies.

#GKOSUS

About Us

Generous. Innovative. Leadership-driven. Family-oriented. Socially responsible.

Founded in 1998, Glaukos Corporation is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases.

Our mission at Glaukos is to truly transform vision by pioneering novel, dropless therapies that can meaningfully advance the standard of care and improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic, sight-threatening eye diseases.

Innovation is at the core of everything we do, and we are resolute in our commitment to challenge conventional thinking with new treatment alternatives that are supported by real science, robust clinical evidence, and an unrelenting focus on patients.

Our constant pursuit of game-changing technologies that disrupt legacy treatment paradigms is encapsulated in the Glaukos mantra "We'll Go First," which articulates our willingness to take chances, our determination to forge new ground, and our commitment to continuous improvement in all that we do.

Our company completed an initial public offering in June of 2015, and our shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GKOS". Our global headquarters is in Aliso Viejo, California with additional locations in San Clemente, California, and Burlington, Massachusetts.

Glaukos Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.