Senior Manager - Global Benefits (Strategy, Product & Governance)

The Senior Manager - Global Benefits is responsible for  evolving  the strategy, design, and performance of the global benefits ecosystem. This role operates as a product owner and strategic leader, ensuring benefits programs are competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and deliver a seamless employee experience through a combination of vendors, digital tools, and operational partners. This critical People Team role will partner with key stakeholders to support our Employee Value Proposition at Freshworks and enhance our brand. This position shifts away from transactional administration and instead focuses on strategy, governance, vendor orchestration, and data-driven decision-making, leveraging AI and automation to scale globally. Please note: This is a hybrid role that will be based in San Mateo, CA and requires an in-office presence three days per week (Tuesday - Thursday).  Strategy & Benefits Architecture Define and execute a global benefits and wellbeing strategy aligned with business priorities, workforce demographics, and market competitiveness Design and evolve benefits programs across health, retirement, wellbeing, and leave, ensuring scalability across regions Establish a cohesive global framework with appropriate local flexibility Lead innovation in benefits design, including digital-first and AI-enabled solutions Benefits Product Ownership & Experience Own the end-to-end employee benefits experience, from onboarding through life events and offboarding Define and optimize the employee journey, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and engagement Partner with internal teams to deliver a digital-first experience (e.g., portals, AI assistants, decision support tools) Continuously improve experience through employee feedback, utilization data, and behavioral insights Vendor Ecosystem & Performance Management Lead the selection, design, and management of a global vendor ecosystem (health plans, wellbeing providers, retirement partners, etc.) Establish clear performance expectations, SLAs, and accountability frameworks Drive integration across vendors to deliver a cohesive, high-quality employee experience Conduct regular market assessments and negotiate solutions to ensure cost efficiency and innovation Governance, Compliance & Risk Management Ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations (e.g., ERISA, global statutory requirements) Oversee plan governance, including plan documents, policies, audits, and regulatory filings Partner with Legal, Finance, and external advisors to mitigate risk and maintain strong controls Maintain clear governance structures for decision-making and program oversight Financial Management & Cost Optimization Own benefits financials, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost trend analysis Identify and manage key cost drivers (utilization, vendor pricing, plan design) Develop and execute strategies to improve ROI and long-term sustainability Present clear, data-driven insights and recommendations to senior leadership Data, Insights & Decision Support Leverage data analytics to evaluate program performance, engagement, and outcomes Translate data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations Build reporting frameworks that enable real-time visibility into benefits performance Support executive decision-making with clear, concise, and outcome-focused analysis Operating Model & Delivery Define and manage a modern benefits operating model, leveraging: Vendor-led service delivery Centralized operations (e.g., HR Ops/shared services) AI and digital tools for employee support Ensure efficient execution of key processes such as enrollment, life event changes, and employee support, without reliance on manual intervention Continuously identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and scale&#x ... (truncated, view full listing at source)