Global Equity Compensation Lead in Slough

Our Company

Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi aims to be a global leader in continuously transforming social infrastructure through digital, contributing to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates worldwide across four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – as well as a Strategic SIB Business Unit focused on new growth areas. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi creates value by combining data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges.

The Global Equity Compensation team works with several internal functions and external advisors to uphold high tax and legal compliance standards in all countries in scope. Other responsibilities include designing and implementing competitive equity compensation policies, building and maintaining robust governance frameworks and internal controls, and preparing and delivering communications and training for global and senior audiences. In addition, the team works with internal colleagues and external advisors to ensure flawless delivery of each equity compensation event, leveraging new or existing tools, templates, procedures, and technology solutions.

What you’ll be doing

The successful candidate will report to the global equity compensation manager in the UK. This role requires candidates with experience in managing equity compensation plans, including grants, vesting, leavers, processes and procedures, and understanding of compliance with applicable tax obligations. The selected candidate will be part of the Global Equity Compensation team under Hitachi’s Global Total Rewards (GTR) function, which comprises approximately 30 people.

The role will also be responsible for:

• Manage the grant cycle according to policy and procedures, including share and phantom awards.
• Manage the vest cycle according to the prevailing legal and tax compliance obligations, including whether awards are shares or cash-settled at vesting, depending on the country.
• Manage eligible leavers according to monthly schedules and procedures.
• Draft the grant and vest papers for approval by the authorized body.
• Work with colleagues from each subsidiary to align the grant and vest cycle and timelines.
• Draft and organize the grant and vest communications and process with the plan administrator.
• Support subsidiaries with the equity compensation buyout process for new joiners.
• If any, manage the buyout process related to joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions.
• Support the data integration process and reporting requirements with the plan administrator.
• Maintain information documents in the relevant intranet pages and the plan administrator portal.
• Draft and maintain appropriate procedures and ensure proper file storage for audit-trail purposes.
• Prepare files and statements as required to complete the grant and vest cycle.
• Organize and support the distribution of the payroll instructions file with the tax advisor at vesting.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to educate global audiences on process plan events.
• Be flexible in rotating or expanding responsibilities as needed to meet business demands including supporting the Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP) lead as required.

Additional responsibilities:

• Support other team members upon demand, including the global tax lead in preparation for the vesting cycle or tax fillings, and the ESPP process lead during the communication campaign of the plan cycle.
• Support colleagues in Japan with managing cost accruals and the cost recharge process, if necessary.
• Support projects and manage change, including new technology solutions or procedures.
• Manage testing and controls related to new technology tools or process improvements.

What you bring to the team

We are looking for a team player, who is motivated by delivering great work and the Hitachi vision. Under our hybrid working model, employees can work flexibly from home or the office, depending on business requirements. The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and background:

• At least 5 years of experience with discretionary share plans.
• Experience in large companies and complex organizational structures is desirable.
• Managed at least 3-4 grants and vesting cycles globally and demonstrate good knowledge of the tax compliance complexity of managing equity compensation in multiple countries.
• Proficient in managing data in Excel and Word, including mail merge and macros.
• Strong attention to detail, ownership, collaboration, communication skills, and integrity.
• Willing to work on administrative tasks and regularly liaise with several stakeholders from different subsidiaries to ensure the timely implementation of various processes and control steps.
• Willing to work flexibly to meet tight deadlines and attend calls during flexible hours across different time zones. Travel to Japan may be required occasionally.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Hitachi management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Our Values

We are proud to say we are an equal opportunity employer and welcome all applicants for employment without attention to any factor that doesn’t impact your ability to do the job, including race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We are proud of Japanese heritage, with our values expressed through the Hitachi Spirit: Wa – Harmony, Trust, Respect; Makoto – Sincerity, Fairness, Honesty, Integrity; Kaitakusha-Seishin – Pioneering Spirit, Challenge.

If, like us, you’re motivated by delivering first class services, thrive in a fast paced and supportive environment and want to help Hitachi to drive social innovation, we’d love to hear from you.