Benefits Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

The People function is undergoing an exciting period of transformation as we establish a new global operating model, streamline processes, and strengthen alignment across regions to deliver a consistent, high‑quality member experience.

The Opportunity

The Americas Benefits Manager reports to the Global Head of Benefits and sits within Arup’s Reward Community of Expertise (CoE). The Reward CoE works across Arup’s global matrix, spanning four regions, corporate and global functions, and more than 30 countries, to deliver the Global Reward Strategy in support of the overall Arup Strategy.

In this role, you will be responsible for the design, governance, and delivery of benefit programs across the United States, Canada, and Colombia. You will ensure programs are aligned with Arup’s global benefit strategy while responding to local market, regulatory, and cultural requirements.

The position works closely with regional and global People leaders, Finance, Payroll, People Services, and external partners to translate strategy into effective, scalable solutions. The role focuses on delivering well documented, compliant, and globally aligned benefit programs, continuous improvement, strong stakeholder engagement, and an excellent member experience.

This is a role with high visibility and influence, ideal for a benefits leader who enjoys turning strategy into action while improving the employee experience across the Americas.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Design, and Governance

• Develop and execute an Americas benefits approach aligned with Arup’s Global Benefit framework and business objectives
• Lead the evaluation, design, and ongoing optimization of health, welfare, retirement, wellbeing, and time away programs
• Monitor market trends, legislative changes, and best practices across the Americas to ensure programs remain competitive, compliant, and sustainable
• Partner with global stakeholders to support regional consistency while respecting local requirements

Compliance, Risk, and Financial Management

• Ensure benefits programs comply with applicable regulations across the U.S., Canada, and Colombia at both federal and state/provincial levels.
• Oversee audits, filings, and governance activities for benefit and retirement plans
• Manage the Americas benefits budget, including forecasting, cost modeling, and financial reporting
• Partner with brokers, consultants, and vendors to evaluate costs, funding approaches, and long‑term risks

Operations, Vendors, and Delivery

• Lead the planning and delivery of key annual processes such as open enrollment and renewal cycles
• Manage vendor, broker, and administrator relationships to ensure strong service delivery and value for cost
• Drive operational excellence through process improvement, documentation, and effective use of technology
• Act as an escalation point for complex or sensitive benefits issues
• Partner with a high‑performing shared services regional delivery team to prioritize member experience, optimize benefit processes, effectively resolve benefit queries, and efficiently deliver benefits to members
• Implement global benefit initiatives and standards within the region, supporting global governance and reporting requirements

Leadership, Collaboration, and Influence

• Provide functional leadership and guidance to regional People Partners and People Services teams
• Serve as a trusted subject‑matter expert for Region Leadership Team, People Partners, and members across the Americas

Insights, Analytics, and Communication

• Use data and benchmarking to assess program performance, costs, and member utilization
• Define success measures and track outcomes to support continuous improvement
• Design clear, practical communications that help members understand and use their benefits
• Prepare and present recommendations and updates to senior stakeholders and governance groups

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is This Role Right for You?

• Minimum of 10 years of experience, with strong technical expertise in health, retirement, wellbeing, and time‑away programs

• Deep knowledge of US benefits with experience managing benefits across additional countries, ideally including Canada and Colombia
• Experience managing vendors, renewals, and complex benefit processes
• Professional services or similarly complex, matrixed environments
• Exposure to global or regional benefits governance models

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong execution and operational discipline

• Comfortable working independently and leading complex workstreams end to end
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and decision making skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex topics clearly
• Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable operating in ambiguity
• Confident leading supplier relationships and working with technology
• Use data, insights, and market intelligence to support evidence‑based decision‑making
• Develop and inspire others while living Arup’s values and driving continuous improvement

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits at Work - At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. As a member of Arup, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm’s financial performance). Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future

Flexible Working - We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available.

Hiring Range - The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in Chicago is $140,000 to $165,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of Chicago will differ.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability.

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