Benefits Lead / Project Manager

Pontoon; Warwick; On-site; GBP 83,000 - 111,000; Part time

Job summary

Pontoon is seeking a Benefits Lead / Project Manager to spearhead the rollout of a new employee benefits platform in Warwick, with on-site work two days per week. The role requires leading BAU benefits activities, vendor management, and end-to-end project delivery.

You will collaborate across Reward, Procurement, IT, Payroll, People Services, Finance, and external partners to ensure a smooth transition, data migration readiness, and compliant processes.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of employee benefits programmes and significant experience in managing them.
• Strong capability in managing complex supplier relationships and conducting procurement exercises.
• Proven track record in leading HR, Reward, or benefits implementation projects.
• Excellent project planning and implementation skills with an ability to meet demanding timelines.
• Excellent communication skills with a knack for change management.
• Strong influencing skills to drive delivery across multiple stakeholders.
• Risk management and problem-solving expertise.
• Familiarity with payroll deductions and benefits administration processes.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and benefits platform integration processes.
• Relevant qualifications such as CIPD, degree-level education, or Project Management certification, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and enhancement of business-as-usual benefits activities.
• Coordinate with Reward, Procurement, IT, Payroll, People Services, Finance, and external suppliers to align with People strategy.
• Manage benefits vendors during the transition.
• Drive implementation from provider selection to handover.
• Define future-state design, platform configuration, and operational processes for compliance and employee experience.
• Develop and oversee internal implementation plans across departments for key milestones.
• Ensure readiness for data migration, payroll integration, and operational processes with stakeholder sign-off.
• Lead User Acceptance Testing, issue resolution, and readiness assessments for go-live and hyper-care support.
• Deliver communications and training to foster adoption of the new platform.
• Serve as the primary business lead for implementation suppliers, managing performance, risks, and reporting.
• Collaborate with legal to document DPIA/RoPA compliance.

Skills

Benefits knowledge

Vendor management

HR rewards projects

Project planning

Change management

Influencing skills

Risk management

Payroll deductions

HRIS knowledge

Payroll systems

Education

Degree-level education

CIPD or PM certification

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Benefits platform integration

Job description

Job Title: Benefits Lead / Project Manager

Location: Warwick - 2 days a week on site

Contract: 6 Months

Our client, a leading organisation in the utilities sector, is seeking an accomplished Benefits Lead / Project Manager to spearhead the implementation of a new employee benefits platform. This pivotal role will ensure the seamless transition from the current system while maintaining business-as-usual benefits activities during this critical period.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Charge: Oversee the delivery and enhancement of business-as-usual benefits activities, including refreshing Total Reward Statements and facilitating the 2027 Bonus Exchange window.


• Collaborative Approach: Work alongside the Reward team, Procurement, IT, Payroll, People Services, Finance, and external suppliers to ensure alignment with the organisation's People strategy.


• Vendor Management: Take charge of managing benefits vendors, collaborating with Procurement and Reward colleagues throughout the transition.


• Project Leadership: Drive the implementation of the new benefits platform from provider selection to operational handover, ensuring it meets business and employee needs.


• Design and Configuration: Collaborate with internal stakeholders and the platform provider to define future-state design, platform configuration, and operational processes that enhance compliance and employee experience.


• Implementation Planning: Develop and oversee internal implementation plans, coordinating activities across multiple departments to achieve key milestones.


• Business Readiness: Ensure readiness for data migration, payroll integration, and operational processes, securing validation and stakeholder sign-off.


• User Acceptance Testing: Lead testing, issue resolution, and readiness assessments to ensure a successful go-live and provide hyper-care support post-implementation.


• Engagement and Training: Deliver communication and training activities to foster understanding and support the successful adoption of the new platform.


• Performance Management: Serve as the primary business lead for implementation suppliers, managing performance, risks, issues, and providing regular progress reports to stakeholders.


• Compliance Assurance: Collaborate with the internal legal team to document compliance with DPIA/RoPA requirements.

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of employee benefits programmes and significant experience in managing them.


• Strong capability in managing complex supplier relationships and conducting procurement exercises.


• Proven track record in leading HR, Reward, or benefits implementation projects.


• Exceptional project planning and implementation skills with an ability to meet demanding timelines.


• Excellent communication skills with a knack for change management.


• Strong influencing skills to drive delivery across multiple stakeholders.


• Risk management and problem-solving expertise.


• Familiarity with payroll deductions and benefits administration processes.


• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and benefits platform integration processes.


• Relevant qualifications such as CIPD, degree-level education, or Project Management certification, or equivalent experience.

If you are an enthusiastic project manager with a passion for employee benefits and a desire to make a significant impact within a dynamic organisation, this is the opportunity for you!

Our client is excited to welcome a new Benefits Lead / Project Manager who is ready to lead transformative initiatives and contribute to an engaging employee experience.

We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more.

We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive.