Associate Director, Global Benefits Product Design

Position Summary

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking a strategic and execution-focused Associate Director to serve as a Global Benefits Product and Process Design lead, responsible for the process delivery of benefits programs enabling technologies across regions.

This role will operate as an individual contributor with broad matrix influence, leading complex, cross-functional initiatives. A key focus of the role is leading the global implementation of benefits administration tools and ongoing product lifecycle, ensuring a scalable, compliant, and high-quality employee experience across all benefits touchpoints.

The Associate Director will work within the Product-Based Operating Model (PBOM) to deliver integrated, data-driven, and globally consistent solutions that enhance both employee experience and operational effectiveness of benefits offerings and interactions.

Key Business Partners

Matrix Partners (Primary)

• Total Rewards

• Benefits

• HRIS

• Payroll

• Finance

• HR Business Partners

• Legal

• Procurement

External Partners

• Benifex

• Benefits Administration Vendors

• Carriers

• Brokers

Detailed Position Responsibilities

Product Strategy, Ownership & Delivery

• Serve as the global product lead for benefits programs enabling technologies, with accountability for product strategy, roadmap, delivery, and alignment with regulatory expectations.

• Translate enterprise and Total Rewards strategy into scalable global product designs that balance standardization, employee experience, and local regulatory requirements.

• Lead global implementation, stabilization, and enhancement of benefits administration platforms, including requirements definition, design governance, testing coordination, release planning, and post-launch monitoring.

• Define priorities and manage product backlog in alignment with business needs, resource capacity, and broader product operating model decisions.

• Use data, user insights, and performance metrics to identify trends, measure adoption and experience, and drive continuous improvement.

• Help shape scalable, globally consistent solutions that strengthen operational effectiveness and enhance the employee experience.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives across Total Rewards, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, Procurement, and external partners to deliver integrated benefits solutions.

• Works closely with operations to ensure end-to-end operational readiness, including data integrity, eligibility accuracy, payroll alignment, vendor integrations, and resolution of high-impact issues.

• Continuously improve employee-facing experiences across key benefits journeys, including enrollment, life events, and self-service capabilities.

Governance, Risk & Vendor Management

• Manage strategic relationships with benefits vendors and partners to ensure delivery quality, service performance, and alignment with enterprise expectations.

• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Procurement to support governance activities, contract discussions, renewals, and risk mitigation.

• Support audit readiness, maintain effective documentation, and proactively identify and escalate operational or compliance risks.

Desired Experience

• 8+ years of progressive experience in leave and absence management, HR operations, or related field, with demonstrated expertise in strategic program management.

• 3+ years of people management experience, including leading teams and developing talent.

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree (MBA, MS) or equivalent years of experience.

• Background in global benefits transformation or digital employee experience initiatives.

• Proven track record of managing complex, global HR programs in matrixed organizations.

• Strategic thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Hands-on experience with benefits platforms or HR systems implementations.

Ideal Candidates Would Also Have

• Professional certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CEBS) highly desirable.

• Proven consulting skills with ability to influence without authority and drive consensus.

• Experience with Product Operating Model (POM) or Product-Based Operating Model (PBOM) methodologies.

• Background in M&A integration or divestiture projects.

• Strong business partnership orientation with ability to translate complex technical/regulatory concepts for diverse audiences.

• Project or agile certifications (PMP, Scrum).

• Consulting mindset with strong influencing and storytelling capabilities.