Principal Benefits Analyst

Primary Function of Position

We are looking for an experienced and innovative Principal Benefits Analyst to join our Total Rewards team, reporting to the Sr. Manager, Benefits & Global Mobility. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert in our U.S. health programs as well as play a key role in planning, implementing, administering, and continuously improving our benefits programs that support our company’s Total Rewards strategy. The role partners closely with our external vendors, consultants, and point solution partners to deliver a seamless end-to-end employee experience and optimize program costs. This position also advises internal stakeholders - including HR leadership, Finance, People Services, Payroll, and other cross-functional teams - on benefits policies, legal requirements, and best practices.

Essential Job Duties

• Primarily oversee the end-to-end program management and administration of U.S. health programs (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy and point solutions), serving as a trusted advisor and navigator in partnership with internal and external providers.
• Evaluate current benefits programs and recommend enhancements to improve employee experience, compliance, cost trend, and alignment with market practices.
• Support vendor relationships and service delivery (carriers, administrators, and consultants) to ensure performance standards are met.
• Triage and resolve escalated vendor/provider issues, partnering with HR People Services as needed.
• Partner with the benefits broker to support renewals, including gathering requirements, preparing analysis, and assisting with negotiations.
• Manage projects to improve benefits systems, processes, controls, and communications.
• Partner with Finance on annual and ongoing budget processes (e.g., forecasting, invoices, and vendor spend tracking).
• Develops communications and presentations for program rollouts, trainings, leadership approvals into actionable audience appropriate messaging.
• Leads and collaborate effectively in cross-functional settings with stakeholders internally and externally to deliver program updates and solutions.
• Builds important internal/external relationships through advanced communication skills; knows how to influence and negotiate effectively through communications.
• Lead and contribute to special projects and provide insights and recommendations to our benefits programs based on need.
• Introduce strategies and document processes, always seeking continued streamlining, improvement, and transformation.
• Keep appraised of current benefits trends and critical compliance updates.
• Provide training to HR/People Services on benefit programs and education for upskilling.
• Coordinate and participate in quarterly and annual business reviews with vendor partners.
• Provide data analysis and summary of trends via reports from our data warehouse in partnership with Aon, delivering actional insights and communications that improve program efficiency and employee experience.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience working in the field of benefits (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Leads initiatives and mid-to-large program changes.
• Independently manages vendor performance, negotiates improvements, and benchmarks plans.
• Translates complex benefits topics into clear communications for employees, managers, and senior leaders.
• Robust knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, with the ability to learn and apply emerging trends and state/federal regulatory requirements.
• Self-starter who identified process challenges and suggests improvements proactively.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to navigate and explain complex cases.
• Strong organizational, problem solving and project management skills.
• Proficient in MS Office suite applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects and tasks as a productive and resilient collaborator in a fast-paced working environment.
• Desire to learn new areas and skills based on rapidly changing business environment and global growth.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with ServiceNow ticketing.
• Experience with Workday.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19. Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer: In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.