Head of Global Benefits, Senior Manager in Manchester

The Opportunity

As Global Head of Benefits, you will be the firm’s strategic driver and thought leader for all aspects of benefits. You’ll combine deep technical expertise with strong market awareness and future‑focused thinking to ensure Freshfields remains ahead of the curve in global benefits innovation. This role is both strategic and hands‑on: you will define and enhance our global benefits proposition while overseeing the operational delivery of programmes worldwide. You will lead a team and collaborate with a wider benefits network, including US‑based specialists. Your leadership will influence employee experience, global policy, risk management, financial governance, and the way benefits reinforce our identity as an employer of choice.

Key Responsibilities

• Global Benefits Strategy & Innovation
  • Develop and deliver a global benefits strategy aligned to market intelligence, emerging trends, and the expectations of a diverse, modern workforce.
  • Continuously scan global developments—regulatory, technological, societal—to evolve the firm’s offerings and maintain a competitive edge.
  • Lead, coach, and inspire two direct reports, creating a culture of innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning.
  • Coordinate globally with US‑based specialists, ensuring a unified approach across all regions.
  • Oversee benefits administration end‑to‑end, ensuring effective processes, strong controls, and operational resilience, including full utilisation of our benefits technology platform (Benifex).
  • Act as a senior escalation point for complex global benefits queries, partnering with providers, brokers, and internal stakeholders to ensure swift resolution.
• Employee Experience & Communications
  • Partner with our People Brand team to create compelling benefits communications, campaigns, and annual benefits fairs that strengthen engagement and understanding.
  • Work with our Culture team to ensure employee listening, personalisation, and continuous feedback inform benefits design.
  • Lead annual enrolment cycles and global insurance renewals, overseeing census data accuracy, UAT, and compliance with GDPR and regional privacy laws.
  • Safeguard operational governance across all markets.
  • Manage broker and provider relationships globally, ensuring value for money, robust accountability, and seamless service delivery.
  • Oversee reconciliation, financial accuracy, and adherence to budget.
  • Drive RFP processes and market reviews.
• Reporting & Analytics
  • Use analytics and insight to monitor utilisation, measure impact, identify demographic trends, and demonstrate ROI through engaging dashboards and reporting.
  • Sponsor and lead benefits projects including new programme rollouts, policy changes, and global alignment initiatives, working closely with US and global teams.

About You

You will thrive in this role if you bring:

• Significant experience managing global or multi‑regional benefits within a corporate or law‑firm environment.
• Proven ability to translate trends, employee feedback, and data insights into high‑impact programmes.
• Strong leadership experience, with a track record of developing and empowering teams.
• Excellent stakeholder and vendor management skills across geographies.
• Strong analytical capability, including experience with AI/LLM tools and advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel.
• Confident use of benefits technology platforms, with experience in Workday and Benifex.
• Deep understanding of governance, compliance (including GDPR), and operational best practice.
• A mindset geared toward continuous improvement, innovation, and enhancing employee experience at every stage.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background.

All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.