Tracy Ward
Irvine,California
Summary
Results-oriented Director of Global Benefits specializing in international benefits strategy and M&A integration. Streamlined operations to enhance employee engagement and achieve cost savings. Leveraged data analytics to design and implement effective benefits programs.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Global Benefits
The Trade Desk, Inc.
01.2022 - 09.2026
- Directed benefits strategy governance across 18 countries, ensuring global standards and local compliance.
- Designed a strategic framework that balanced cost coverage with employee experience in diverse environments.
- Standardized core processes and centralized tools for regional teams, enhancing benefits operations consistency.
- Expanded team of 9 to optimize operational efficiency across global benefits.
- Cultivated relationships with global and regional vendors, strengthening procurement strategies and elevating service levels.
- Collaborated with finance to establish benefits budgets, forecast spending, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Director, Global Benefits and Mobility
Coinbase, Inc.
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Led and scaled a high-performing global benefits and mobility team of 12.
- Drove strategic direction, plan design, budget and annual planning for the company's global benefits and mobility initiatives across 11 countries.
- Oversaw acquisitions from due diligence to integration for global benefits and mobility mergers and acquisition matters.
- Implemented governing practices and provided technical counsel to local teams, ensuring compliance and alignment with global benefits standards.
- Conducted benchmarking and established market prevalence and benefits framework to enhance competitiveness across all Coinbase locations.
- Oversaw all retirement and pension schemes, including 401(k) plan, plan committee, audits and all compliance requirements.
- Developed benefits playbook for future deals.
- Developed communication strategies that increased employee awareness and engagement with benefits and time off programs.
Director of Benefits, Health & Welfare
Sutter Health
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Provided strategic and operational leadership for design, administration, compliance, and communication of health and welfare benefits, presenting initiatives to executive committees to align organizational goals.
- Oversaw Total Rewards Centers of Excellence health and welfare budget of $1.1 billion, advocating for cost-effective solutions that enhance internal operations and services for affiliates.
- Acted as a subject matter expert on all compliance matters, overseeing non-discrimination testing, audits, adoption agreements, summary plan descriptions, leaves of absence, and paid time off policies.
- Re-engineered and streamlined processes between Centers of Excellence and Shared Services, acting as subject matter expert and project lead for Workday implementation to enhance operational effectiveness.
Director of Benefits
Hikma Pharmaceuticals
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Guided, implemented and launched Senior Leadership through a long-term benefits strategy that included harmonizing all benefits plans due to an acquisition that resulted in $3M - $4M savings over 3 years.
- Led strategic initiatives for benefits quality, policy cost, and return on investment, aligning benefits offerings with organizational goals.
- Launched international benefits scheme supporting global rotation program for U.S. employees in EMEA, enhancing employee experience and retention.
- Managed executive deferred compensation plans, overseeing eligibility, enrollment, deferrals, and distributions to ensure compliance and optimal fund management.
- Provided expertise on compliance and regulatory requirements, including 5500's, ACA, HIPAA, fee disclosures, and tax filings.
Benefits Strategy Manager
BMW Group
01.2015 - 01.2015
- Co-led U.S. Total Rewards remuneration study assessing fixed base pay, variable bonus, health, retirement benefits, time-off programs, and vehicle benefits to inform strategic decisions.
- Consulted with local human resources across Americas (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil) on health & welfare, retirement, and working time initiatives to enhance workforce benefits.
- Monitored and analyzed tax and governmental legislation along with economic trends affecting benefit plans to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
Benefits Consultant
Resources Global Professionals (Marsh & McLennan) (Contract)
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Facilitated implementation of private health exchange through Mercer Market Place for global professional services firm with 20,000 employees, enhancing access to health benefits.
- Supported Director of Health & Welfare in finalizing 2015 budget and managing total population health strategy, vendor relationships, and compliance initiatives.
- Analyzed employee benefits plans for compliance with regulations and company policies.
- Collaborated with clients to design customized benefits packages addressing specific needs.
- Facilitated training sessions on benefits programs for employees and management teams.
Director, Benefits Planning & Design
S&P / Formerly McGraw-Hill
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Developed strategic plans, designs, and competitive, cost-effective U.S. retirement, health and welfare benefits, work life programs, wellness, and employment policies.
- Ensured compliance of benefit programs, including ERISA interpretation, summary plan description development, healthcare reform, mental health parity act, FMLA, and ADA, to mitigate legal risks.
- Monitored 401(k) plan and defined benefit pension plan performance, implementing financial advisory services to enhance employee financial literacy and support.
- Led all open enrollment activities including strategic employee benefit communications, disclosure requirements and administration systems including on-line enrollment and on-line tools for education and assistance with plan elections to assure that processes are in place to meet benefit objectives.
- Oversaw communication of total rewards programs, including compensation and incentive programs, to effectively inform and engage employees.
- Developed a customized care management program for at risk population and restructured nurse model to support the needs of the business.
- Implemented and launched a Workday HCM system within a HR Shared Service model.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Houston
Houston, TexasSkills
- Global benefits strategy
- M&A integration
- Benefits optimization
- Pension management
- Regulatory compliance
- Contract Negotiations
- Cost analytics
- Population wellness
- Employee Engagement
Timeline
Director, Global Benefits
The Trade Desk, Inc.
01.2022 - 09.2026
Director, Global Benefits and Mobility
Coinbase, Inc.
01.2020 - 01.2022
Director of Benefits, Health & Welfare
Sutter Health
01.2018 - 01.2020
Director of Benefits
Hikma Pharmaceuticals
01.2015 - 01.2018
Benefits Strategy Manager
BMW Group
01.2015 - 01.2015
Benefits Consultant
Resources Global Professionals (Marsh & McLennan) (Contract)
01.2014 - 01.2015
Director, Benefits Planning & Design
S&P / Formerly McGraw-Hill
01.2008 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Houston