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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage employee benefits and pensions while driving continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Hitachi Rail, a global leader in digital transformation and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and flexible perks tailored to your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experience and shape the future of benefits.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK employee benefits administration and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and offers excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
About Us
A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting‑edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi‑cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into.
Your New Role
Join Hitachi Rail and make a real difference in shaping the future of employee benefits. We’re looking for a Pension & Benefits Advisor to become a key member of our Reward team. In this role, you’ll have the autonomy to influence how we deliver benefits across a dynamic, growing business—ensuring every employee enjoys a seamless, high-quality experience. Reporting to the Reward Manager, you’ll lead the day-to-day administration of our benefits portfolio and drive continuous improvement. This is your chance to combine technical expertise with creativity, helping us stay ahead in a fast‑evolving landscape. You’ll join us at an exciting time of growth, where your ideas and actions will have a tangible impact. From managing pensions and benefits to supporting strategic projects, you’ll play a vital role in creating an inclusive, rewarding environment for our people.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Day‑to‑Day Benefits and Pension Administration: Manage the administration of employee benefits, including the defined contribution (DC) pension scheme, the RPS (DB) Scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, and other core and voluntary benefits, ensuring accurate processing of contributions and communications.
- Benefits Projects and M&A Support: Support the Reward Manager in benefits‑related aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, harmonisation of legacy terms and conditions, and integration planning.
- Renewals and Vendor Management: Lead annual benefit renewal processes, liaising with providers and brokers to ensure competitive offerings and value for money. Evaluate and recommend potential new benefits aligned with business and employee needs.
- Employee Communication and Engagement: Develop and deliver clear, engaging communications to promote understanding and uptake of benefits. Act as a point of contact for employee queries, resolving issues with empathy and efficiency.
- Data Analysis and Reporting: Assist with data analysis and reporting to support wider reward initiatives, including gender pay gap reporting, benchmarking, and internal reviews.
- Compliance and Governance: Ensure all benefit processes comply with relevant legislation and internal policies, monitor legislative changes and assess the impact on pension provision, maintain accurate records and support audits as required. Act as the primary liaison with pension providers and support Pension Governance activities including scheme reviews, audits and regulatory reporting.
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience in UK employee benefits administration, ideally within a mid‑sized or large organisation.
- Strong understanding of DB and DC pensions, salary sacrifice schemes, and core UK benefits legislation.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Confident communicator with experience handling employee queries and working with external providers.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and comfortable working with data for reporting and analysis.
- High attention to detail and a proactive, solutions‑focused approach.
Desirable
- Experience supporting M&A activity or benefits harmonisation projects.
- Experience working in the manufacturing/rail sector and/or in a partially unionised workforce.
- Exposure to broader reward topics such as pay benchmarking or job evaluation.
- Familiarity with HRIS or benefits platforms (e.g., Workday, SAP, or similar).
- Professional qualification in reward, HR, or employee benefits (e.g., CIPD, CEBS, or PMI).
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday
- Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
- Private medical insurance
- Personal Accident insurance
- Group Income protection
- Group Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle.
At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment – we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Pensions and Benefits Advisor in Newton Aycliffe employer: Hitachi Rail
Contact Detail:
Hitachi Rail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pensions and Benefits Advisor in Newton Aycliffe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Hitachi Rail on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Hitachi Rail's recent projects and values. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your skills align with their mission to create a legacy in digital transformation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to pensions and benefits. We want to see your expertise shine, so be ready to discuss your experience with DB and DC pensions and how you’ve handled employee queries in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Pensions and Benefits Advisor in Newton Aycliffe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Pensions and Benefits Advisor role. Highlight your experience with employee benefits administration and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our Reward team. Be genuine and let your personality come through—this is your moment to connect with us.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Pension & Benefits Advisor, you'll be handling employee queries and communications. Make sure to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. Whether it's through clear writing or examples of past interactions, we want to see your ability to engage effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there—so don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hitachi Rail
✨Know Your Pensions Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) pensions. Be ready to discuss how these schemes work, their benefits, and any recent changes in legislation that could impact them. This will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but also engaged with the current landscape.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Pension & Benefits Advisor, you'll need to communicate complex information clearly. Prepare examples of how you've effectively handled employee queries or communicated changes in benefits in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to engage and inform employees, which is crucial for this position.
✨Be Ready for Data Discussions
Since data analysis is a key part of the role, be prepared to talk about your experience with data reporting and analysis. Bring examples of how you've used Excel or other tools to support decision-making or improve processes. This will highlight your analytical skills and attention to detail.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research Hitachi Rail's values and culture before the interview. Think about how your personal values align with theirs and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in being part of their team.