Senior Benefits Advisor – remote US and Puerto Rico

Position description

Salary Level: annual salary range for this role is $76,800 up to $ 91,200 – commensurate on professional experience

Closing date:Please submit application by July 20th

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions

into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

The People Team – Compensation + Benefits

The People Team ensures that Mercy Corps has the people who will enable it to be a world‑class, cutting edge, humanitarian organization, creating transformational change in the world. We do this through the recruitment, retention, and development of the best global talent. Our aim is to drive strategic thinking and planning at all levels of the organization; create a robust body of research to guide us internally and externally and steward the organizational culture.

To achieve this, we align conversations on learning; keep the organization focused on what has the greatest impact: leverage our comparative advantages in the crowded and competitive international relief and development landscape; and assure we are constantly learning from our work and the external environment.

The Position

The Senior Benefits Advisor serves as a key expert within the People Team, supporting the strategic and operational management of Mercy Corps’ global benefits programs. This position provides senior-level guidance on health, welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave programs across a diverse, international workforce. The Senior Benefits Advisor ensures that Mercy Corps’ benefits offerings are competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational values and strategic priorities.

This role requires a deep understanding of global and domestic benefits compliance, vendor and broker management, process improvement, and data analytics. The ideal candidate will bring technical expertise, strategic insight, and the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate across teams and geographies.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Program Management

• Serve as a subject matter expert on global health, welfare, retirement, and leave programs, advising leadership and regional HR teams.
• Partner with the Director to assess, evolve, and implement global benefits strategies aligned with Mercy Corps’ mission and operational realities.
• Evaluate benefits offerings for competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with budget and organizational philosophy.

Benefits Operations and Compliance

• Oversee the daily administration of U.S. and global benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 403(b), wellness, workers’ compensation, expatriate benefits, and voluntary offerings.
• Ensure compliance with applicable global and U.S. regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, IRS Section 125, DOL, and others.
• Support and lead the annual benefits renewal and open enrollment process, including communication, vendor coordination, and system readiness.
• Conduct audits of benefit data, vendor contracts, and internal processes to maintain data integrity and mitigate compliance risks.

Vendor and Broker Management

• Lead the RFP and renewal process for benefit vendors, evaluating proposals, managing implementations, and monitoring performance.
• Maintain strong relationships with carriers and brokers to ensure high service levels, cost containment, and innovation in offerings.
• Partner with vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve escalated eligibility and claims issues.

Employee Experience and Communication

• Develop and deliver engaging benefits communications and education materials for employees and HR colleagues globally.
• Serve as a resource and escalation point for complex employee benefit inquiries and sensitive cases.
• Champion a positive and equitable employee experience across all benefit interactions.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Develop benefits dashboards, benchmarking reports, and financial analyses to inform strategy and track performance.
• Partner with Finance…