[Hiring] Program Manager - Benefits @Avantor

Role Description

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.

• 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.
• We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture.

Company Description

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.