Global Benefits Advisor (9m FTC) in Manchester

Global Benefits Advisor (9m FTC) in Manchester

Manchester Temporary 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Freshfields

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage global benefits programmes and support employees with their queries.
  • Company: Join a leading firm committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Gain valuable experience, competitive pay, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, collaborative team.
  • Why this job: Be at the heart of employee experience and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Organised, tech-savvy, and have a background in HR or benefits administration.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

About the role

We're looking for a Global Benefits Advisor to join our People team on a 9-month fixed term contract, covering a period of maternity leave. This is a hands-on, operationally focused role that sits at the heart of how we deliver and manage benefits for our people around the world. You'll be supporting the Benefits Manager and Global Benefits Senior Manager, taking ownership of the day-to-day running of our benefit programmes and playing a key part in ensuring our employees have a smooth, well-supported experience. If you enjoy working at the intersection of people, process, and technology — and you take pride in getting the detail right — this could be a great fit.

What you'll be doing

  • Benefit administration and technology
    • Serving as the first point of contact within the team for benefits queries from HR colleagues and partners, escalating to internal teams or third-party providers where needed and following up to make sure things are resolved.
    • Acting as the primary contact for our global benefits technology platform (Benefits+), overseeing its day-to-day performance, coordinating testing and issue resolution, and managing service enhancements and single sign-on (SSO) certification.
    • Liaising with brokers and external providers on an ongoing basis, ensuring that enrolment data is accurate, invoices are reconciled, and spend stays within agreed budgets.
    • Administering team invoices, including reconciling membership listings and managing any associated recharge processes, and serving as the point of contact for vendor payment queries.
    • Administering partner health insurance plans (outside the US) and managing partner recharges through the partnerships accounts team.
    • Producing and analysing quarterly benefit dashboards to keep key stakeholders informed.
    • Identifying opportunities to improve the employee experience by streamlining benefits touchpoints across the employee lifecycle.
  • Annual enrolments
    • Creating and managing project plans for annual enrolment windows to ensure timely delivery and clear stakeholder communication.
    • Updating benefit plan designs within Benefits+ ahead of each enrolment period.
    • Leading user acceptance testing (UAT), drafting employee communications, and coordinating benefit fairs.
    • Coordinating the submission of census data for global insurance renewals and managing employee eligibility files in line with GDPR and local privacy requirements.
  • Communication and support
    • Keeping key stakeholders informed about benefit activities, and providing training to HR colleagues on local benefit offerings where needed.
    • Helping to maintain and update benefits content across HR platforms such as SharePoint and Benefits+.
    • Supporting the team with benefit communications, newsletters, and onboarding materials.
  • Team and project support
    • Supporting projects related to new benefit implementations, policy changes, and global rollouts.
    • Coordinating global requests for proposal (RFPs) and local market reviews, including drafting RFP documentation and scoring frameworks.
    • Providing ad-hoc project support as required.

What we're looking for

  • We're looking for someone who is organised, communicates clearly, and is comfortable working with technology as part of their day-to-day role.
  • A degree or equivalent professional experience — we value practical knowledge as much as formal qualifications.
  • Some background in HR or benefits administration, ideally within a corporate or professional services environment, though related experience in a similar operational role will also be considered.
  • Familiarity with benefits or HR technology platforms, including experience with payroll configuration, provider reporting, or troubleshooting system issues.
  • Strong organisational skills and close attention to detail, particularly when managing data and financial reconciliations.
  • The ability to communicate clearly in writing, including drafting communications that strike the right tone for different audiences.
  • Comfort working with AI tools and benefits technology as part of a modern HR workflow.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships across teams and with external partners.
  • Confidence managing routine tasks independently, knowing when to escalate and when to resolve.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook. Experience with Workday or a similar HR system would be an advantage, though not essential.

Global Benefits Advisor (9m FTC) in Manchester employer: Freshfields

At Freshfields, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values employee growth and development. As a Global Benefits Advisor, you'll be at the forefront of enhancing our global benefits programmes, supported by a dedicated team in a dynamic environment that embraces technology and innovation. With opportunities for professional advancement and a commitment to employee well-being, Freshfields is the ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

Freshfields

Contact Details:

Freshfields Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Global Benefits Advisor (9m FTC) in Manchester

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn and ask about their experiences. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your answers to show how you align with their mission, especially in areas like benefits administration and employee experience.

Tip Number 3

Practice common interview questions related to HR and benefits. Think about scenarios where you've improved processes or resolved issues, as these will showcase your problem-solving skills.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role can keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for joining the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Global Benefits Advisor (9m FTC) in Manchester

Benefits Administration
HR Technology Platforms
Data Management
Financial Reconciliation
Project Management
User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Global Benefits Advisor role. Highlight your relevant experience in benefits administration and HR technology, and show us how you can bring value to our team.

Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since clear communication is key in this role, give us examples of how you've effectively communicated with different audiences in your previous jobs. This will help us see how you can fit into our team.

Be Detail-Oriented:We love candidates who pay attention to detail! When filling out your application, double-check for any typos or errors. It’s a great way to demonstrate your organisational skills right from the start.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Freshfields

Know Your Benefits Inside Out

Make sure you understand the benefits programmes you'll be managing. Familiarise yourself with the specifics of the global benefits technology platform, Benefits+, and be ready to discuss how you would handle common queries or issues that might arise.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills

Since this role requires strong organisational skills, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Highlight how you kept everything on track, especially during busy periods like annual enrolments.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, as communication is key in this role. Be prepared to demonstrate how you would draft communications for different audiences, whether it's for HR colleagues or external partners.

Be Tech-Savvy

Brush up on your knowledge of HR technology platforms, especially if you have experience with Workday or similar systems. Be ready to discuss how you've used technology to streamline processes or improve employee experiences in previous roles.