Global Benefits Specialist

The Global Benefits & Leave Specialist supports the design, administration, and continuous improvement of Smarsh’s global benefits, wellness, and leave programs across multiple countries. This role serves as a key operational partner within the Total Rewards function, ensuring employees receive a high-quality experience while maintaining compliance with country-specific regulations and company policies.

The Global Benefits & Leave Specialist independently manages day-to-day benefits and leave administration activities, partners with external vendors and internal stakeholders, and provides guidance to employees and managers regarding benefit offerings, leave programs, wellness initiatives, and related processes. This role also supports global program scaling as the organization continues to grow internationally.

This position requires strong knowledge of benefits and leave administration, experience supporting global employee populations, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information in a fast-paced environment.

• Administer leave of absence programs including FMLA, statutory leave programs, disability, parental leave, sick leave, and country-specific leave requirements.
• Coordinate directly with employees, managers, HR partners, and third-party administrators regarding leave eligibility, documentation requirements, timelines, and return-to-work processes.
• Track employee leave status and maintain accurate documentation while ensuring confidentiality and compliance.
• Support international leave administration and coordinate with regional partners to ensure alignment with local regulations and practices.
• Escalate complex or high-risk leave matters appropriately while exercising sound judgment in routine case management.

• Coordinate and support global wellness initiatives and employee wellbeing programs in partnership with Total Rewards and People teams.
• Assist in the development and execution of employee education and engagement efforts related to benefits and wellness offerings.
• Support communication strategies that improve employee understanding and utilization of available programs and resources.
• Gather employee feedback and identify opportunities to enhance participation and overall employee experience.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and international regulations related to benefits and leave administration, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and applicable country-specific requirements.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and reporting for audits, renewals, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Support annual compliance filings, benefits audits, and vendor reporting requirements.
• Monitor changes in legislation and escalate potential impacts to leadership.

• Partner with brokers, insurance carriers, leave administrators, and external vendors to ensure timely issue resolution and quality service delivery.
• Assist with vendor management activities including enrollment accuracy, billing reconciliation, reporting validation, and operational issue resolution.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Payroll, HR Operations, Legal, Finance, and People Business Partners to support effective program administration.
• Contribute to ongoing process documentation and operational best practices.