Benefits and Recognition Manager

Sage; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Sage is seeking an experienced benefits professional to design, deliver and continuously improve global and regional benefits and recognition programmes. You will ensure they are competitive, compliant and scalable, delivering measurable value to colleagues and the business.

Working in the Global Rewards team, you will manage supplier relationships, analyse data, and partner with People, Finance, Tax, Legal and Compliance to balance cost, risk and impact while supporting regional needs.

Qualifications

• Experienced benefits professional with knowledge of benefits design and programme management.
• Ability to manage supplier governance and drive value.
• Data-driven thinker able to translate insights into actionable improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead global and regional benefits and recognition programmes across markets.
• Manage supplier relationships and ensure high-quality service and commercial outcomes.
• Partner with People, Finance, Tax, Legal and Compliance on risks and business impact.
• Support governance of recognition programmes and benefits systems improvements.
• Deliver programmes across geographies and develop business cases for new initiatives.
• Participate in due diligence and integration activities during M&A.

Skills

Benefits design

Programme management

Supplier governance

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Job Description

Support Sage in attracting, retaining, and enabling high performing talent by designing and delivering benefits, recognition and wellbeing programmes and initiatives. Ensure programmes are competitive, compliant and scalable, and deliver measurable value to colleagues and the business.

Manage key supplier relationships to ensure consistent, high quality service and strong commercial outcomes. Partner with People, Finance, Tax, Legal and Compliance teams to ensure alignment on programmes, risks and business impact.

Key Responsibilities

Summary of role: This role is responsible for designing, delivering, and continuously improving Sage's benefits and recognition programmes across both global and regional markets. Working as part of the Global Rewards team, you’ll help ensure programmes are competitive, compliant, and aligned with Sage’s benefits strategy, while enhancing the colleague experience and supporting business priorities.

You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to global benefits and recognition initiatives while also partnering closely with regional stakeholders to deliver programmes that meet local colleague and business needs. This is a varied role combining strategy, programme design, supplier management, and day‑to‑day delivery.

What I will be doing:

• Lead and support a mix of global and regional benefits and recognition programmes, helping ensure they support Sage’s people, ESG, inclusion and business objectives.
• Use data, market insights, and colleague feedback to evaluate programme performance, identify opportunities for improvement and support annual planning, renewals and budget management to maximise value and cost efficiency.
• Manage relationships with external providers, brokers and consultants, overseeing supplier performance, commercial outcomes, and market reviews to ensure an excellent colleague experience.
• Support the design and governance of global recognition programmes, maintain benefits policies, and partner with Digital Services on benefits systems improvements.
• Help deliver benefits and recognition programmes across multiple geographies, support communications that improve colleague awareness and engagement, develop business cases for new initiatives, contribute to programme implementation, and provide expertise on complex colleague queries and escalations.
• Play a key role in benefits due diligence and integration activities associated with mergers and acquisitions.

What we are looking for

We’re looking for an experienced benefits professional with strong knowledge of benefits design, programme management, and supplier governance within a multinational environment. You should be commercially minded, data‑driven, and confident using insights to improve programmes, manage costs and demonstrate business value.

You’ll be comfortable operating across both strategic and operational activities, balancing long‑term programme development with hands‑on delivery and stakeholder support. Experience working across multiple countries, regions or markets would be highly beneficial.

Strong stakeholder management skills are essential, with the ability to build relationships and partner effectively with colleagues across People, Finance, Procurement, Legal and external suppliers.

You should have experience managing complex projects, developing business cases, and influencing decision‑making through data and insights. A collaborative mindset, strong attention to detail and a passion for creating positive colleague experiences will help you succeed in this role.