Pensions and Benefits Specialist

Job description

Role Summary

This is a hands-on role reporting into the Head of Compensation and Benefits. You will be responsible for:

• Owning the provision and delivery of UK pensions
• Managing the full suite of employee benefits
• Overseeing day-to-day benefits operations

You will be a UK Pensions specialist and SME with comprehensive technical knowledge and understanding of UK governance and pension legislation. You will also have experience managing a range of employee benefits and a strong desire to deliver exceptional service, contributing to an enhanced employee experience.

What You’ll Be Doing

Pensions Responsibilities

• Responsible for DC pension for the UK and the International Retirement Scheme for Singapore, Egypt and Japan
• Maintain strict adherence to legislative frameworks, regularly reviewing processes and validating regulatory requirements
• Control the invoicing process with suppliers and monitor scheme costs on behalf of the Company
• Manage outsourced administration provider (ISIO), monitoring performance against service level agreements
• Drive key business-as-usual activities such as benefit statements, statutory returns and cyclical projects
• Ensure legislative deadlines are met for pension scheme returns to HMRC and The Pensions Regulator, as well as publication of statutory documents (Annual Chair Statement, SIP etc.) on a publicly available website
• Monitor monthly contribution files to ensure deadlines are met
• Respond to complex member queries and manage the pension mailbox, ensuring timely and accurate resolution
• Facilitate the member-nominated trustee appointment process, including communications and interview selection
• Ensure discretionary death benefit claims are handled sensitively and appropriately, obtaining relevant supporting information for trustee decisions
• Ensure full compliance with Auto-enrolment legislation, including enrolment notifications, opt-out procedures and submission of redeclaration of compliance returns
• Work with external auditors on requests relating to annual company accounts
• Develop and implement communication strategies to promote pension benefits and drive member engagement
• Collaborate with HR colleagues to ensure pensions are integrated into broader HR strategies

Benefits Responsibilities

• Manage UK employee benefits (including medical, life, gym, mental health and wellbeing), aligning regional benefits strategy to global minimum standards
• Coordinate administration for starters, leavers and changes, including underwriting requirements, reconciliations, invoicing and internal recharges (with Payroll support)
• Ensure all monthly tasks and cyclical processes are completed before deadlines
• Manage benefits operations by partnering with local HR teams, HRIS and Payroll to ensure smooth delivery and improve operational efficiency where possible
• Manage benefits billing, including obtaining and reconciling invoices, submitting and tracking payments and costs
• Deliver internal communications to inform, promote and engage employees on benefits offerings
• Maintain benefits documentation for all global offices, ensuring procedures are accurate and up to date
• Support and provide input into global benefits design, provider renewals and tendering processes
• Undertake additional/ad hoc duties as required to meet business needs
• Hold regular catch-ups with regional HR colleagues to support benefit renewals (Singapore, US and Dubai)

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from candidates who share our Company Values and key attributes:

• Integrity and respect – acting thoughtfully and ethically in accordance with Conduct Rules and fostering a respectful work environment
• Drive – self-motivation and commitment to delivering excellence and positive change
• Relationship building – excellent communication skills to build strong, long-lasting relationships
• Collaboration – ability to work effectively across diverse backgrounds to share information and deliver results
• Resilience – ability to adapt to change and approach challenges positively
• Smart thinking – strong analytical and problem-solving skills, curiosity and openness to new ideas

Other Requirements

• UK pensions SME with comprehensive technical knowledge of UK pension schemes and legislation
• Experience as a Pension Secretary in a corporate environment
• Knowledge and experience of Defined Contribution pensions
• Regulatory knowledge of The Pensions Regulator, The Financial Conduct Authority, The Pension Protection Fund and the Financial Assistance Scheme
• Pension qualification from CII or PMI (desirable)
• Demonstrable employee benefits knowledge and experience administering a wide range of benefits (including medical and life assurance)
• Proactive approach to pensions and benefits engagement, connecting internal and external factors to the employee lifecycle
• Experience working in a fast-paced corporate/professional services environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information to non-technical audiences
• Ability to draft communications with appropriate tone and messaging
• Experience drafting presentations and presenting data effectively to key stakeholders
• Strong presentation skills, confident presenting to senior-level audiences
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships internationally and with vendors
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to take ownership and drive tasks to completion
• Strong problem-solving skills and initiative
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Highly numerate, analytical and data-oriented
• Resourceful mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office (particularly Excel for analytics and PowerPoint for presentations)
• Experience supporting multi-country benefit renewal and/or redesign programmes (advantageous)