Senior Benefits Advisor

Charles Russell Speechlys; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles Russell Speechlys is seeking a Senior Benefits Advisor to shape and deliver the Firm's global benefits strategy, including benchmarking, pension, and wellbeing initiatives. The role may also touch reward activities such as job levelling and salary benchmarking, reporting, and annual reviews.

Reports to Senior Reward and Benefits Manager; hybrid working and part-time options (minimum four days per week) are available.

Qualifications

• Proven benefits advisory experience, preferably in a professional services firm.
• Strong knowledge of benefits legislation and compliance requirements.
• Proficient in HRIS software and Excel for benefits management.
• Experience with international benefits administration and benchmarking.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders with data-driven insights.
• Experience supporting salary benchmarking and gender pay gap analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day UK and international benefits processes and respond to employee or Partner queries.
• Resolve complex issues with insurers and benefits providers.
• Coordinate and manage the benefits renewal cycle.
• Ensure accuracy of benefits records in collaboration with the Rewards team.
• Support reward-related work including job levelling and annual salary reviews.
• Develop reporting MI, often using Excel, to aid decision-making.

Skills

Benefits administration

Stakeholder engagement

Excel proficiency

HRIS software

International benefits

Data analytics

Salary benchmarking

Education

CEBS certification

Tools

HRIS systems

Job description

The HR function is split across several key areas Business Partnering; Talent and Culture which includes, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Reward & Benefits; Services & Policy; and Organisational Learning & Development, all working collaboratively together and with the wider business to deliver the people aligned Firm strategy. Providing a trusted, high-quality service and delivery in line with our Firm values is key to the professional reputation of the function.

Role Purpose

The Senior Benefits Advisor is responsible for supporting the development and delivery of the Firm's benefits philosophy, practice, and policy across our global offices. The Senior Benefits Advisor will play a crucial role in the delivery of global benefit reviews, benefit benchmarking, recognition, pension, and health and wellbeing initiatives. Whilst the role is primarily focussed on benefits, we would be keen to hear about what reward experience you have, so you can also contribute to reward related work such as job levelling, salary benchmarking, gender pay gap analysis and reporting, and the annual salary review process.

The role will report to the Senior Reward and Benefits Manager and will have the opportunity to get involved in Reward activities.

We are open to those wishing to work on a full-time or part-time basis (minimum 4 days per week - flexibility on which days).

Roles and Responsibilities

Benefits process administration

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of all UK and international benefits processes and employee or Partner queries.
• Resolve complex employee issues with insurance providers and other benefits administrators that have been escalated by the Reward and Benefits Analyst, deploying analytical and problem solving skills.
• Coordinate and manage the benefits renewal process.
• Work with the Reward and Benefits Analyst to ensure benefits records are accurate.
• Contribute to reward related work such as job levelling, salary benchmarking, gender pay gap analysis and reporting, and the annual salary review process.
• Contribute to the development of reporting MI, frequently on Excel, to aid firm-wide decision-making.

Relationships

• Work with insurance brokers and benefits carriers to negotiate competitive coverage terms and costs on behalf of the Firm.
• Maintain strong relationships with the entire HR Team to answer benefit related queries, and the Reward and Benefits team to develop and administer a joined-up Reward and Benefits strategy.
• Collaborate with the Internal Communications team to support employee communications on benefits as needed.
• Collaborate with the Internal Finance team to ensure accurate financial reporting of benefits spend and keep them abreast of any benefit budget changes as needed.
• Forge meaningful and influential working relationships with the wider HR function, Business Services, Directors, Partners, managers and other key individuals in the Firm.

Maintain a competitive and appropriate benefit offering

• Understand key competitors' benefit strategies, and how they differ in in our global operating markets, to ensure our offerings are competitive and aligned with market standards. Interpret benchmarking information to make recommendations to the Senior Reward and Benefits Manager.
• Stay informed on benefits trends and legislation that could impact the Firm's benefits offerings.
• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles.

Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in a benefit advisory role, preferably within a legal or professional services firm.
• Strong knowledge of benefits legislation and compliance requirements.
• Proficient in HRIS software.
• Ability to analyse and improve benefit administration processes, for example the deployment and maintenance of a flexible benefits platform.
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, presenting insight-led recommendations to shape effective benefits strategies.
• Comfortable working with large amounts of employee data on Excel.
• International benefits administration experience
• Experience in setting up or working with flexible benefits platforms
• Experience in setting up or working with recognition platforms
• Experience in Reward activities, such as job levelling, salary benchmarking, gender pay gap analysis and reporting, and the annual salary review process
• Professional certification such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or similar.

Person Specification

• Able to effectively communicate, both in writing and verbally, to ensure that complex information is delivered clearly, concisely and relevant to the audience.
• Builds trusted working relationships with a range of stakeholders to support collaboration, alignment and delivery.
• Supports positive business outcomes by constructively influencing, questioning and challenging where appropriate.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Comfortable using metrics and management information to inform decision-making
• Responds effectively to changing priorities while maintaining progress against key outcomes and meeting deadlines.
• Maintains quality, accuracy and attention to detail when working to competing demands or time pressures.

Hybrid working - We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.

Charles Russell Speechlys is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and we are committed to developing an increasingly diverse, inclusive and supportive culture where everyone can be themselves, feel valued, and that they can thrive and belong. Please see here for more information on our employee-led DEI Networks.

For a detailed specification please download the job description in the documents section of this page.