Senior Compensation & Benefits Specialist

Location: Remote - Portugal

Department: Human Resources

The Senior Compensation & Benefits Specialist supports the strategy, delivery, administration, and continuous improvement of Total Rewards programs across Europe and India. This role serves as the primary Total Rewards resource for employees, managers, and HR partners in assigned regions, ensuring programs remain competitive, compliant, and enable a positive employee experience. 

HOW WE’LL BE WINNING TOGETHER DAY TO DAY

Benefits Program Management:

• Serve as the primary resource for benefits programs in assigned regions, including program administration, employee support, and annual renewals.
• Monitor benefits utilization, employee feedback, market benchmarking, and industry practices to identify opportunities for program enhancements.
• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, insurance carriers, and other vendors. Monitor service performance, employee experience, renewal outcomes and vendor effectiveness to ensure Syndigo maintains the right partners and programs in each region.
• Support Total Rewards integration activities related to mergers and acquisitions, driving harmonization and consistency across benefits offerings.
• Develop employee communications and resources, in partnership with local HRBPs, that support a positive employee experience.

Leave of Absence Administration:

• Coordinate administration of leave programs across assigned regions, including tracking employee leave activity, serving as the primary point of contact for employees, and partnering with HR stakeholders to ensure leaves are managed consistently and in compliance with local regulations.
• Monitor leave trends, identify process improvement opportunities, and support ongoing enhancements to leave practices and resources.

Compensation Program Delivery:

• Support the administration of global compensation processes including merit planning, bonus administration, promotions and market adjustments.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to provide compensation guidance, ensure consistent application of compensation practices, and support compensation-related decision making.
• Lead job evaluations and market benchmarking activities for assigned regions through a consistent framework and evaluation process.
• Partner with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and business leaders to assess new and evolving roles, support job leveling decisions, and develop market-based recommendations.

Business Partnership:

• Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to support talent and Total Rewards decisions.
• Develop tools, resources, and training that build stakeholder understanding of Total Rewards programs and promote consistent decision-making.

Total Rewards Compliance:

• Support compliance with local regulations and statutory requirements related to compensation, benefits, and leave programs across assigned regions. Monitor regulatory developments, including EU Pay Transparency and other emerging requirements, and support the implementation of required changes.
• Conduct periodic audits, maintain documentation, and help ensure consistent and compliant administration of Total Rewards programs. 

WE SHOULD TALK IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU 

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field. 
• 5+ years of experience in Total Rewards, including global benefits and compensation program management. 
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience supporting benefits in multiple European countries across Europe and/or India. 
• Professional fluency in English (written and verbal) is required.
• Experience coaching and mentoring key stakeholders in Total Rewards.
• Strong knowledge of compensation concepts, including pay structures, job evaluation, bonus programs, and annual pay cycles. 
• Demonstrated ability to partner with HRBPs, TA partners, and business leaders with professionalism and credibility.
• Confidence dealing with senior leadership.
• Strong business acumen and practical decision-making skills to balance employee experience with business and budgetary requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex programs into clear, employee‑friendly language.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop insights to support decision‑making.
• High attention to detail, strong organization skills, and comfort managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Problem‑solving mindset with sound judgment and the ability to navigate sensitive conversations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with HRIS and compensation tools preferred.
• Continuous improvement mindset to ensure we’re constantly improving our processes, programs, and employee experience.