Senior Reward and Recognition Specialist

Brodies; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Edinburgh is seeking a Senior Reward and Recognition Specialist. This role involves managing payroll processing and advising on benefits while developing recognition programs that align with firm goals. The ideal candidate has significant experience in payroll, a keen eye for detail, and excellent communication skills. The position offers hybrid work flexibility, requiring occasional travel to other offices.

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced environment handling payroll and benefits.
• Ability to work independently and proactively.
• Strong time management and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day payroll processing.
• Advise on benefit schemes and ensure compliance.
• Develop recognition and reward programs.

Skills

Excellent understanding of payroll calculations

Experience in Payroll and Benefits function

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office skills

Good communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

CIPP Member

Job description

Overview

Senior Reward and Recognition Specialist — Edinburgh with occasional travel to our other offices. Reporting to Head of Reward & Recognition.

Job purpose: Our People Engagement team consists of specialist areas, and this role sits within our internal Payroll and Benefits (Reward & Recognition) team. As part of that team, this new role will lead the day-to-day processing of payroll ensuring team members complete their monthly tasks and successful completion of the monthly payroll. In addition, you will also be responsible for advising on the various benefit schemes provided to colleagues.

The role has a high level of advisory and general reward and recognition duties associated with it, and the successful candidate must be willing and flexible to take on a wide range of tasks. You will thrive in a busy and demanding environment, often working to set deadlines, that requires the ability to multi-task effectively, whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy. The successful candidate will be based in Edinburgh, with occasional travel to our other offices. Brodies hybrid working approach allows the opportunity to combine working from home with office based days.

Core Tasks

Working as part of the reward and recognition team, undertake a range of reward & recognition responsibilities. This will include but is not limited to:

• processing accurate monthly payrolls, advising on complex queries, providing reports, calculations, reconciliations, and other tasks associated with payroll and benefits processing.
• Lead the day-to-day processing of payroll ensuring team members complete their monthly tasks. Use deep industry expertise, commercial insights, and payroll knowledge to answer complex payroll queries.
• Contribute to the development of recognition and reward programmes and demonstrate an understanding of the feasibility and alignment of each option with the firm's goals and culture. Applying industry trends to improve existing reward and recognition initiatives. Work with senior management to design frameworks that align employee performance with firm goals.
• Ensure all systems are updated in a timely manner and processed through payroll on time for example pension auto enrollment.
• Demonstrate clear knowledge of payroll and benefits legislation and statutory requirements. Proactively identifies industry trends and keeps up to date with payroll and benefits compliance and influences policy development. Analyse impacts of regulatory changes, the potential impact on the firm, and shape reward and recognition strategy to ensure the firm remains ahead of compliance. Maintain and update reward and recognition policies and procedures.
• Provide advice to the wider People Engagement team with accurate payroll and complex holiday calculations. Responding to colleague's questions in a professional and timely manner. Demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of holiday calculations and pay and keep up to date with statutory requirements and any changes.
• Working with Finance including preparing reports or any information they may require.
• Manage the relationship with benefits providers. Lead the team on annual benefits window. Reconcile benefits and ensure they match invoice's and pay suppliers in a timely manner. Budget management and understanding how the firm's performance impacts and informs the approach to reward strategy. Informs senior management on costs and provides updates on budgets / changes. Enhance and promote existing benefits such as electric cars and research and recommend new benefits. Complete Brodies new supplier take on process where required. Advise senior leaders on payroll and benefits practices with firm goals and market demands.
• Provide support during busy project periods including helping with the preparation of annual salary reviews, submitting market data questionnaires, discretionary bonus payments, annual leave windows, and benefits renewals.
• Participate in any projects or research tasks that may arise, or any other ad hoc tasks
• Run ad hoc MI reports and interpreting and analysing data as necessary
• Prepare documentation for various meetings
• General upkeep of the document management system. Assisting with paper and electronic files, which will include shredding sensitive documents and tidy up folders in our electronic document management system
• Processing expenses claims
• Be aware of Brodies' information security policies, and protect information assets from unauthorised access, disclosure, modification, destruction, or interference at all times.

Person Specification & Skills

• Member of CIPP
• Excellent understanding of payroll calculations and HMRC guidance / compliance
• Experience of a Payroll and Benefits function (or similar) in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent skills in the use of Microsoft Office - Excel used daily
• Can work on their own initiative, is pro-active, persistent, robust, and committed to "getting the job done"
• Good communication skills both written and verbal
• Flexible and proactive approach to work duties
• Prioritisation, time management and organisational skills