The Program Manager - Benefits manages U.S. absence and health management programs and serves as the strategic and operational owner of absence policy standards, operating models, system alignment, and vendor oversight. The position ensures compliance, consistency, scalability, and a positive associate experience
The role acts as the primary owner of U.S. leave and disability administration, including oversight of third‑party administrators, and leads U.S. health management initiatives such as condition management, preventive health, and well‑being programs. Working closely with Total Rewards, HR Solutions, HR Shared Services, Legal, Finance, HR Technology, and external vendors, the role supports effective policy execution, risk management, data integrity, and alignment with Avantor’s Global Benefits Administration Governance Framework.
How you will thrive and create an impact
Act as TPA relationship owner, overseeing U.S. leave and disability operations, escalations, performance, and renewals.
Identify and escalate alignment issues between policy intent, system configuration, payroll treatment, and employee communications.
Manage U.S. health management and condition programs, aligned with medical and wellness strategy.
Support communication strategy and execution for absence, leave, and health management programs, including guidance for associates, managers, and HR partners.
Maintain process documentation, training materials, and knowledge content to support consistent administration and issue resolution.
Partner with HR Shared Services, HR Technology, Payroll, and external vendors to resolve administration issues, support integrations, and improve operational effectiveness.
Analyze key absence and health metrics and provide recommendations to support decision‑making.
Serve as a subject‑matter resource for HR teams and escalate complex issues to leadership.
Develop guidance, training, and knowledge content to support consistent execution.
Performs other duties as assigned.
What we're looking for
Bachelor’s degree required
5+ years of progressive experience in absence management, leave administration, disability, or health & welfare benefits.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. leave programs (FMLA, ADA, STD/LTD, state leaves) and vendor‑administered leave models.
Experience managing enterprise vendors and complex stakeholder environments.
Experience with Workday Leave and Time Off modules and HR case management tools (e.g., ServiceNow) highly preferred.
Global or multi‑country benefits experience, including statutory compliance and harmonization efforts.
Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret absence and health data trends.
Proven ability to operate at both strategic and executional levels in a transformation environment.
Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing competing priorities.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Why Avantor?
Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!
Pay Transparency:
The expected pre-tax pay for this position is
$78,000.00 - $125,350.00Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.
EEO Statement:
We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.
Privacy Policy:
We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role.
Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests.
3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:
By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.
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