NEW!!! Senior Director, Global Benefits

Contact me directly: brstultz@cisco.com

It's an exciting time to work at Cisco. Every day, we connect people to the network and make it come to life. Whether it's using e-learning to educate students far from city centers or downloading the entire Library of Congress in seconds, our networking technology has not only revolutionized the way people do things, but who they are. People are more informed, more efficient, and more involved. With all forms of communications converging onto the network, Cisco is entering an exciting new era. The concept of the network as the platform for transforming life's experiences is no longer a possibility: It is quickly becoming a reality. And Cisco is leading the experience.

This position is responsible for enterprise level leadership on the design, development and communication of benefit strategies and programs, including health and welfare and retirement programs, within the framework of Cisco’s global compensation and benefits strategy. This position is a significant contributor for evaluating benefits solutions that meet the business and human resource objectives of the company.

This position reports to the Vice President – HR Global Compensation, Benefits, and M&A. The incumbent will manage a team of 3 direct reports (managers) and share accountability for providing direction to benefits leaders internationally.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Evaluate the competitive environment and lead the team in plan compliance and design of innovative country specific health, welfare, retirement and time off programs in partnership with regional HR Operations.
• Contribute to the development of the company’s short-term and long-term total rewards strategy.
• Understand employee and business needs, build relationships internally and externally, and shape the direction for Benefits strategy through influence and superior communication skills.
• Analyze benefits plans coverage and objectives relative to emerging social and business trends. Survey and analyze immediate and future needs relative to employee benefits. Develop and recommend new program or modifications to current programs to better meet the changing needs of the organization and its employees, in alignment with Cisco’s global benefits philosophy.
• Partner with colleagues in other functions (i.e., Communications, Finance, etc.) to ensure alignment of global benefits programs and services with business and employee engagement goals.
• Meet company’s goals relative to internal and external competitive position; actively seeks opportunities to deliver more value through innovation and to anticipate and prepare for future changes (e.g., legislative changes, workforce demographics, etc.)
• Partner with HR Communications to identify tools and communications vehicles that increase employee understanding of global benefit programs and the value they deliver.
• Maintain and refine world class benefits services as part of Cisco’s technology-enabled and partner-enabled employee experience.
• Lead and develop team members through performance management, training, development, coaching, feedback, and talent calibration across the department.
• Manage Cisco’s $2.5B global fringe spend and partner with Finance in process improvements to the overall fringe process.
• Identify, assess, select and manage and negotiate contracts, agreements and fees with vendors, consultants, third party administrators, and trustees.
• Provide thought leadership, expertise, and guidance in development of a Cisco’s wellness strategies, in close partnership with Cisco’s Corporate Medical Director.

Critical Experience:
• Experience leading benefits re-design efforts in a Fortune 500 company environment.
o Abreast of changing regulatory environment
o Familiar with strategies and solutions for a large, non-exempt workforce
• Proven experience in leading collaborative project teams.
o Highly adaptable to a complex environment
o Strong communicator
o Initiates new ideas, as well as delivers what is requested
• Comfortable leveraging influencing skills as a key method to gain alignment and momentum for initiatives.
• Demonstrated people leadership skills and a track record of success in managing and developing teams.
o Able to coach and manage at different levels
o Ability to align people, resources, tools and process to enable business success
• Experience in managing multiple aspects of Benefits
o Demonstrated systemic approach to solutions
o Proven ability to manage competing priorities

Education, Training, and Key Qualifications:
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and 15 years of proven experience in HR, Plan Design, Cost Management, and Analysis, minimum of 5 years in the International space
• Thorough understanding of legal requirements, regulatory issues relating to employee benefits plan design and process, service provider management and wellness strategies
• CEBS a plus
• Experience communicating to audiences including executive/board level management
• Excellent knowledge of retirement, global laws, compliance, and processes, including ERISA, HIPAA, and regulatory requirements
• Proven success at managing, developing, designing, and implementing benefit programs
• Proven track record finding efficiencies, reducing costs, and increasing quality

Required Competencies:
• Results-oriented
• Partner and lead across boundaries
• Global Mindset
• Shaping Strategy and translating it into Sustainable Solutions
• Stewards of Culture and the Employee Experience – Credible Activists
• Courageous Leadership – Disruption
• Recognized ability to develop and retain a team
• Exceptional influencing skills
• Business acumen
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities

Contact me directly: brstultz@cisco.com