Senior Manager, Benefits

Join us. Unleash your energy within. If you have world‑class ambitions to reach the stars while keeping your feet on the ground, we’re the team for you. We've created a new breed of company – future‑focused with reimagined ambition across all disciplines within the energy sector. About you We love people who know their own potential and are not afraid to use it. We know that together, we’re far more than the sum of our parts. We celebrate people who want to grow and develop as we work together on some of the largest projects on the energy world stage. We are committed to our diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We’re a disability‑friendly employer and can make adjustments to support you to perform at your best during the recruitment process. Our purpose and beliefs As Kent, we’re tackling the greatest challenge of our time - to bring our world the energy it needs in the most responsible way ever imagined. It’s the energy of every member of our team driven by our beliefs that is making this happen. Whatever our skill, our language, or our culture. These beliefs define and direct us every day to be the very best – for ourselves, our clients, our key stakeholders, the communities we operate in and the planet. We PLAY BIG We thrive on EMOTIONAL AGILITY We are FANATICAL ABOUT PERFORMANCE We are built on INFINITE THINKING Our vision for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging We recognise that diversity & inclusion are catalysts for success. We’re heightening awareness on the benefits of people diversity, diversity of experiences and diversity of our perspectives. Creating a culture of inclusivity where all employees feel a sense of belonging. Our combined energy is fueled by different nationalities, across 6 continents and 24 countries. Our commitment is to celebrate character – no matter what ethnic background, gender, age, religion, identity, or disability. About the job Kent is looking for a Senior Manager, Benefits that will be responsible for both the strategic leadership and hands‑on execution of the company’s comprehensive benefits programs across all business units. This role requires a highly engaged leader who can operate at both a strategic and operational level—personally driving program design, administration, compliance, vendor management, and issue resolution. The ideal candidate is a player‑coach who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves to manage day‑to‑day benefits operations while building and evolving a scalable, competitive benefits strategy. This role includes direct oversight and active management of benefits programs in the U.S., Canada, and Trinidad & Tobago, ensuring alignment with local regulations, market practices, and organizational objectives. Skills and Responsibilities Benefits Strategy & Leadership Develop and lead a comprehensive benefits strategy aligned with organizational goals and employee needs, while actively driving execution and continuous improvement of programs Oversee and personally guide the design, evaluation, and optimization of benefit programs, including core health plans, retirement benefits, wellness initiatives, and voluntary offerings Lead and execute RFPs, vendor evaluations, contract negotiations, and plan redesign efforts end‑to‑end Ensure benefit programs effectively support attraction, retention, and long‑term engagement through both strategic direction and hands‑on program management Plan Administration & Operations Direct and remain actively involved in the day‑to‑day administration of all benefits for a large, distributed employee population Own and execute annual open enrollment, including system readiness, vendor coordination, employee communications, and issue resolution Lead plan renewals, including hands‑on involvement in cost analysis, negotiations, and decision‑making Manage partnerships with brokers, carriers, consultants, and third‑party administrators, while proactively monitoring performance and resolving service issues Maintain and continuously improve benefits communication channels and documentation, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and employee understanding Oversee and personally review all required notices, plan documents, wrap documents, and compliance‑related materials Take a hands‑on role in managing billing processes, eligibility reconciliation, and resolution of discrepancies Coordinate and directly support the annual retirement plan audit, including data validation, documentation, and auditor interactions Compliance, Leave Programs & Accommodations Serve as an internal expert on ACA compliance, with direct accountability for eligibility tracking, affordability analysis, reporting, and measurement periods Oversee and remain closely involved in the administration of leave of absence programs (federal, state, and company‑specific), including escalations and complex cases Manage employee accommodation processes, ensuring timely, compliant, and practical solutions Ensure full compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and all related federal and state regulation through active oversight and hands‑on review of processes and outputs Own and manage IRS and regulatory penalty assessments, including research, response development, corrective actions, and communication Partner directly with legal counsel, brokers, and vendors during audits, filings, and government inquiries, playing an active role in preparation and response Data, Analytics & Financial Oversight Independently analyze benefits data to assess plan performance, identify trends, and implement actionable improvements Develop and deliver clear, data‑driven executive‑level reports, translating insights into strategic recommendations Build, manage, and track the annual benefits budget, maintaining direct ownership of cost forecasting, monitoring, and cost‑containment initiatives Leadership & Collaboration Lead, mentor, and develop the benefit team while remaining actively engaged in team deliverables and day‑to‑day operations Collaborate closely with HR, payroll, legal, and operational partners to troubleshoot issues, streamline processes, and ensure seamless execution Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing practical, actionable guidance on benefit trends, compliance risks, and strategic opportunities In addition to the responsibilities listed herein, the employee may be required to perform other ad‑hoc tasks as needed or directed by the supervisor or management. These tasks will be within the reasonable scope of the employee’s skills, capabilities, and role within the organization. The intent of this provision is to allow for flexibility and adaptability in meeting the dynamic needs of the organization, ensuring that operational requirements can be met efficiently. All such tasks will be assigned considering the employee’s current workload and with respect to their professional development. Knowledge / Qualification / Training / Certification Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred Minimum 8–12 years of progressive experience in benefits or total rewards, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role Deep expertise in retirement plans (401(k)), health & welfare programs, and leave management Demonstrated experience managing benefits programs in US, Canada and Trinidad & Tobago, including knowledge of local regulations, market practices, and vendor landscapes Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements (ERISA, ACA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA), along with international benefits governance Experience in the energy, engineering, or industrial sector preferred Proven ability to manage vendors, negotiate contracts, and optimize program performance across multiple countries Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into action Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems (Oracle and ADP Preferred) Communication Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience working across diverse cultural and geographic environments Behavior / Core Competencies Demonstrates strong attention to detail when administering employee benefits, ensuring accuracy in data entry, eligibility tracking, and compliance with plan requirements and regulatory standards Ability to set priorities, work independently, and coordinate multiple projects utilizing available resources Strategic Alignment: Ensuring teams and initiatives support the organization’s mission and objectives Process Optimization: Streamlining workflows and removing inefficiencies Talent Management: Developing leaders, fostering employee engagement, and building a high‑performance culture Change Management: Guiding the organization through transitions to improve adaptability and resilience Collaboration & Communication: Encouraging teamwork and transparency to drive better decision‑making Resilience: Adapting to challenges, setbacks, and changes with a strong, solution‑oriented mindset while staying focused, maintaining composure under pressure, and continuously learning from experiences to improve and move forward Agility: Ability to pivot quickly, embrace change and adjust strategies and plans as needed while staying flexible, open to innovation, and responsive to evolving business needs HSSEQ The Employee shall observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company; it’s clients and the governing authorities of the host country. Details about the role Location: Houston, TX (minimum 3 days in office) Relocation required: N/A Travel required: Minimal Contract type: Regular, Full‑time Experience level: 8+ years #J-18808-Ljbffr