Interim Senior Benefits & Rewards Consultant

Interim Senior Benefits & Total Rewards Consultant

Reports: VP Total Rewards

Duration: 6-9 Months

Location:
North America (Remote)

Our client is a growing North American organization with operations across the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company is currently strengthening its Total Rewards function and is seeking an experienced Benefits Consultant to provide immediate expertise and leadership across benefits strategy, compliance, retirement programs, and benefits administration.

This confidential engagement is intended to support the organization during a period of transformation and growth while a permanent benefits leader is being recruited. The successful consultant will bring deep U.S. benefits expertise, a hands‑on approach, and the ability to quickly assess, prioritize, and implement meaningful improvements across the benefits landscape.

Reporting to the Vice President, Total Rewards, the Interim Senior Benefits Consultant will serve as a trusted subject matter expert responsible for evaluating and enhancing the organization's U.S. benefits programs, retirement plans, compliance practices, and administration processes.

The mandate includes conducting comprehensive program assessments, identifying compliance and operational risks, improving benefits administration effectiveness, and developing strategic recommendations that support both employees and the business. The consultant will be expected to deliver tangible outcomes and practical solutions while helping establish a strong foundation for the incoming permanent leader.

This role is ideal for a consultant who is comfortable balancing strategic recommendations with hands‑on execution in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.

• Conduct a comprehensive review of U.S. employee benefit programs.
• Evaluate retirement plan design, governance, and compliance practices.
• Assess federal and state benefits compliance obligations and identify areas of risk.
• Benchmark current programs against market practices and recommend improvements.
• Review vendor, broker, and carrier relationships for effectiveness and value.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate benefits administration processes.
• Assess current HRIS and benefits administration capabilities and recommend enhancements.
• Support the development of a multi‑year U.S. benefits strategy.
• Provide guidance on select compensation and total rewards initiatives as required.
• Support a structured knowledge transfer process for the future permanent leader.

• Lead benefits audits and assessments across health, welfare, and retirement programs.
• Evaluate compliance with applicable U.S. regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and retirement plan requirements.
• Review benefits administration workflows, carrier integrations, reporting processes, and employee experience.
• Develop compliance gap assessments, risk registers, and remediation recommendations.
• Analyze program design, competitiveness, and cost efficiency.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external service providers to implement improvements where appropriate.
• Provide executive-level reporting and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Offer advisory support on compensation structures and global benefits practices as needed.
• Contribute to the development of sustainable policies, procedures, and operating frameworks.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in U.S. employee benefits, total rewards, or benefits consulting.
• Deep expertise in benefit plans, retirement programs, benefits compliance, and administration.
• Extensive knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Department of Labor requirements, and IRS retirement regulations.
• Demonstrated experience leading benefits audits, compliance reviews, and operational assessments.
• Strong understanding of 401(k) plan governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience improving benefits administration processes, HR technology utilization, and vendor management.
• Ability to operate independently while effectively influencing senior stakeholders.
• Proven success in interim consulting, project-based leadership, or…