Payroll and Benefits Adviser in London

What we will offer

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can gain early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

YOU CAN EXPECT

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• We support the causes you care about, by giving you one day per year off to volunteer with any charity that you are involved with outside of work.
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
• We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

Team Structure

The current Payroll and Reward and Benefits team consists of three people: a UK Payroll and Benefits Assistant, a Payroll and Rewards Adviser (this hire), and a Senior Rewards Manager. The team is part of the wider People and Talent team, which comprises over 50 people globally and is responsible for the effective management of all matters concerning the employment and development of people within Stephenson Harwood.

This involves carrying out appropriate initiatives, providing guidance and support to partners, managers and all employees alike, as well as supporting the creation of an environment which enables people to make the best use of their capabilities and realise their potential to the benefit of the firm and themselves. This means that we are involved in a wide range of activities including:

• Implementing our people and talent strategy in line with business objectives.
• Recruitment of all partners and employees, including graduate 'trainee' recruitment.
• Talent and career management.
• Reward strategy and salary review.
• Supporting the appraisal and performance management process.
• Employment and personnel administration, including payroll and benefits.
• Policy and procedures setting and the practical application of these across the business.

Main Responsibilities

Benefits

• Assist Senior Reward Manager in overseeing all global benefits including harmonising and modernising benefits globally.
• Instruct global benefit brokers/consultants to conduct market reviews for benefits such as private medical insurance and group risk policies.
• Manage the administration for UK employee benefits which includes flexible benefits, employee portal (Darwin) with our broker, annual renewals.
• End process reporting for UK benefits providers.
• Participate in the internal HR wellbeing working group, preparing ideas and initiatives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with benefits and pensions providers.
• Management of partner benefits, including setting up coverage with brokers and liaising with partnership accounts.
• Working with Global Mobility to set up secondee IPMI coverage.
• Assisting the Senior Reward Manager with the implementation of new benefits contracts for opening offices.

Payroll

• Manage the monthly payroll for 750 employees using Workday, ensuring accuracy & timely delivery.
• Supporting the payroll assistant in processing and administering the day to day duties for monthly UK payroll from start to finish including starters, leavers, SSP, SMP, SPP etc. manual calculations alongside systems when needed.
• Ensure all day to day payroll tasks are completed in line with payroll processing timetable and controls, including month end and year end process and reporting, including P11d(b) and P60.
• Monthly UK auto-enrolment and pension management.
• Provide high quality service and assistance to our UK employees on payroll and pension related queries, specifically being the point of escalation for the payroll assistant.
• Ensure data quality and integrity.
• Point of contact for payroll auditing.

Knowhow, processes and projects

• Is responsible for developing and maintaining up to date documentation knowhow, step by step guides, templates and guidance for all activities.
• Proactively propose, plan and drive improvement to the way we operate to drive efficiency, accuracy and process streamlining.
• Propose presentations, updates etc. in line with changes of regulations to share knowledge with the wider HR team.
• Super user for Workday and Darwin.
• Participate in multiple projects as the business continues to evolve.
• Review and analyse processes, rectifying anomalies and queries, reviewing procedures and enhancing processes.
• Work closely with the HR systems team and the Core HR in the implementation of new modules or upgrades.

People management and development

• Supervise the work of the payroll assistant to ensure that all activities are coordinated appropriately and that client service is delivered in a timely and professional manner.
• Supervise and develop the payroll assistant, including day to day work, as well as conducting reviews and appraisals.
• Supervise the work of others when leading project workstreams.
• Support the wider team by gaining a wider understanding of each of the HR areas or work.

Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships and work closely with the London HR team and the relevant line managers of the legal/business support departments.
• Work closely with HR operations, finance and partnership accounts to ensure smooth processing of payroll and benefits.
• Maintain relationships with benefits providers and brokers.
• Engender trust and confidence when building relationship.
• Facilitate the development of a highly motivated and engaged team.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Worked effectively in a similar role.
• Identified and delivered process and service improvements.
• Used Microsoft Excel to manipulate and interpret complex data.
• Previous experience in UK and EMEA benefits.
• Workday knowledge and experience.
• Worked in a mainstream HR role (desirable).
• Worked in a partnership and / or law firm (desirable).
• Degree qualified, or equivalent experience.
• Accuracy and a strong attention to detail.
• Able to handle sensitive situations and information confidentially and discreetly.
• Approachable and able to build relationships at all levels.
• Can-do, client focused and positive attitude.
• Adaptable and amenable to changing deadlines and demands.
• Resilient, dealing effectively with challenging situations.
• Ability to work as part of a team or individually when needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally across all levels of the firm, its partners, management and other staff.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

About the Firm

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.

With more than 1,500 people, including 250+ partners, across eleven offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.