Global Benefits Lead

SUMMARY

About Ketjen
Ketjen Corporation is a provider of advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. Our company is driven by a strong set of core values: curiosity, care, collaboration, humility, accountability, and integrity. These values guide our decisions, shape our culture, and define how we work together to deliver exceptional value to our customers and communities.

About the Role
The Global Benefits and Retirement Lead oversees the design, governance, and operational excellence for the company’s global benefits portfolio and U.S. health and welfare and retirement programs, including medical, life, voluntary plans, as well as the 401(k). This role partners closely with HR, Finance, Legal/Compliance, Payroll, and regional leadership to deliver competitive, cost-effective, and compliant plans that support our global workforce. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in global health & welfare, retirement (Defined Contribution), vendor management, analytics, and change management. This position reports to the Total Rewards Director and is based in Houston.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Strategy, Design & Governance

• Oversee the U.S. health, welfare, and retirement strategies, including 401(k).
• Evaluate and recommend global health and welfare offerings, including statutory benefits, expatriate programs, and pooling/captive arrangements.
• Drive wellbeing, mental health, and preventive care strategies for diverse employee populations (office and plant).
• Support fiduciary governance and partner with investment advisors and committees.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with U.S. benefits regulations (ERISA, IRC, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, Section 125, DOL/IRS requirements).
• Oversee required filings and reporting (Form 5500, SAR, 1094/1095, Medicare Part D, PCORI) and timely payment of related fees.
• Manage global compliance with local regulations, statutory benefits, and works councils/collective agreements where applicable.
• Maintain accurate plan documentation, SPDs, internal controls, and audit readiness.

Benefits Administration & Operations

• Oversee day-to-day administration of benefit programs (medical, dental, vision, FSA, life, disability, EAP, leave, and workers’ compensation).
• Lead annual open enrollment and new hire onboarding to ensure accurate elections, eligibility, and carrier enrollment.
• Ensure accurate payroll deductions, premium payments, and system integrations with HRIS, benefits administration platforms, and recordkeepers.
• Serve as subject matter expert, resolving complex cases and escalations.

Vendor & Financial Management

• Oversee vendor strategy, selection (RFP/RFI), contracting, SLAs, and ongoing performance management across carriers, TPAs, PBMs, recordkeepers, and consultants.
• Own annual renewals, global budgeting and forecasting, cost containment initiatives, and funding strategies.
• Monitor vendor compliance, service delivery, and financial performance.

Communications, Engagement & Analytics

• Develop clear, multi-channel benefits communications to improve employee understanding and utilization.
• Lead U.S. annual enrollment communications and partner with regional HR to localize messaging.
• Monitor costs, utilization, trends, investment performance, participation, and outcomes; recommend data-driven improvements.
• Conduct benchmarking, nondiscrimination testing, and scenario modeling to inform plan changes.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner closely with Compensation/Rewards, HRBPs, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and Communications to execute benefits initiatives and support business decisions.
• Contribute to broader HR projects and continuous improvement efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7–10+ years of progressive benefits experience, including global benefits and U.S. retirement ownership.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. benefits laws (ERISA, IRS, DOL, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, 409A) and international benefits concepts (statutory programs, expat plans).
• Demonstrated experience with vendor management, RFPs, and benefits operations/administration.
• Proficiency with HRIS/benefits systems and advanced Excel/analytics.
• Self‑starter comfortable operating in ambiguity and taking ownership of unresolved or evolving issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with employee benefit plans based outside the U.S.; understanding of local market practices in other regions.
• Experience in industrial sectors with diverse, distributed, and shift/rotational workforce
• Exposure to European Unions and Works Councils a plus.
• Professional designations: CEBS, GBA, CBP, CCP, or SHRM‑CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR.
• Experience with Workday and ADP