Job Description
Senior Benefits Partner
Department: HR
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: GBR Manchester Hardman Boulevard
Reporting To: Steve Jones
The Senior Benefits Specialist will play a key role in shaping and delivering a consistent, competitive, and compliant global benefits strategy. Working closely with the Reward Director, the role is responsible for translating the organisation’s global benefits philosophy into effective, locally relevant programmes across multiple regions. This includes managing relationships with global brokers, overseeing benefit renewals, leading the annual open enrolment process in the US, and supporting retirement and pension arrangements such as 401(k) plans, superannuation, and other local schemes.
This role is vital to ensuring that our benefits offering supports the attraction, retention, and wellbeing of colleagues around the world, contributing directly to our people strategy and wider business goals. The successful candidate will be expected to deliver a streamlined, cost-effective benefits framework that is responsive to local needs while remaining aligned with global objectives.
As a central point of expertise on global benefits, this role makes a unique contribution to the organisation by combining strategic insight with operational delivery—enabling inclusive, equitable, and sustainable benefits solutions that enhance the colleague experience and support long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Benefits Planning
- Support the Reward Director in defining and refining the global benefits philosophy and long-term strategy.
- Translate the global benefits strategy into locally relevant, compliant, and sustainable programmes across all regions.
- Conduct regular market benchmarking and analysis to ensure benefits remain competitive and aligned with business needs.
- Support governance activities by ensuring benefits programmes are managed in line with internal controls, risk management processes, and local regulatory requirements.
2. Programme Implementation and Delivery
- Coordinate the implementation of benefit programmes across multiple countries, adapting to local regulations, customs, and workforce needs.
- Ensure a consistent approach to benefits delivery while maintaining local relevance and legal compliance.
- Partner with regional HR and People teams to roll out new initiatives and communicate changes effectively.
3. Vendor and Broker Management
- Manage relationships with global and regional benefits brokers, insurers, and third-party providers.
- Lead the annual renewal process, ensuring data accuracy, cost control, and the delivery of high-quality services.
- Evaluate and improve vendor performance against agreed service level agreements and key metrics.
4. Retirement and Pension Scheme Oversight
- Support the administration and governance of global retirement and pension plans, including the UK DC scheme, US 401(k), Australian superannuation, and other local schemes.
- Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction.
6. Stakeholder Collaboration
- Act as a trusted adviser to HR Business Partners, Finance, and Legal on benefit-related matters.
- Foster strong working relationships across functions and geographies to ensure successful programme delivery.
7. Continuous Improvement and Innovation
- Identify opportunities to enhance the colleague experience through benefit design and delivery.
- Stay informed on emerging trends and best practices in global benefits and wellbeing.
8. Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility
- Champion inclusive benefit design that meets the diverse needs of our global workforce.
- Ensure benefits communications and delivery are accessible and equitable across all colleague groups
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Functional Skills
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Global Benefits Knowledge: Strong understanding of international benefits, including statutory requirements, market trends, and local practices across multiple regions.
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Project Management: Skilled in managing complex, multi-country projects including US open enrolment, benefit launches, and renewals, with attention to timelines, budgets, and stakeholder coordination.
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Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders (e.g. HR, Finance, Legal, Payroll) and external partners (e.g. brokers, vendors).
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Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits information clearly and inclusively to diverse colleague groups.
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Change Management: Comfortable navigating organisational change and supporting colleagues through benefit transitions or enhancements.
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Collaboration and Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to work across teams, cultures, and geographies to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.
Technical Skills
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Benefits Administration Systems: Experience working with benefits platforms (e.g. Workday, ADP, Darwin, or similar tools) to manage and deliver benefit programmes.
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Compliance and Governance: Strong understanding of global compliance and governance standards related to employee benefits, pensions, and insurance.
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Vendor Management: Ability to manage vendor performance, contracts, and service levels effectively across global and regional providers.
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Analytical Thinking: Capable of interpreting benefits data (e.g. enrolment trends, cost analysis, usage rates) to inform decisions and measure programme impact.
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Knowledge of Retirement Plans: Working knowledge of retirement and pension plans including US 401(k), Australian superannuation, and other international schemes.
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MS Office Proficiency: Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills for data analysis, reporting, and stakeholder presentations
Job Benefits
We have a high-performance culture which is balanced evenly with world-class well-being initiatives and benefits:
- Flexible Working: Balance your work and personal life with our flexible working options.
- Generous Holiday Allowance: Enjoy 25 days of holiday, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave.
- Medicash & Critical Illness Scheme
- Financial & Investment Benefits: Enjoy peace of mind with our Pension, Life Assurance, and Share Save Scheme.
- Community & Volunteering Programmes: Make a difference in your community with our volunteering opportunities.
- Green Car Scheme: Drive green and save money with our eco-friendly car scheme.
- Cycle Scheme: Stay fit and healthy with our cycle-to-work scheme.
- Special Time Off: Take time off for those big moments in life, like getting married/entering into a civil partnership, becoming a grandparent, and welcoming home a new pet.
- Family Planning: Benefit from our generous maternity and paternity leave, as well as time off and support for those undergoing fertility treatments.
