Reward and Benefits Manager

When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you’ll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts. Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.

About the role

As Reward and Benefits Manager you will contribute to and deliver reward and benefits projects and initiatives that support the organisation’s people and business strategy, under the direction of the Head of Reward and Benefits. You will apply strong technical reward expertise, analytical capability and project delivery skills to support the implementation of reward strategy through defined projects, reviews and improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Reward Projects & Change Delivery
  • Lead the delivery of defined reward and benefits projects, initiatives and workstreams that support the organisation’s people and business strategy, operating within agreed priorities, scope and governance.
  • Translate agreed reward strategy and objectives into clear plans, deliverables and milestones, managing delivery to time, quality and control requirements.
  • Exercise judgement in shaping approaches and solutions, escalating risks, dependencies or material decisions where appropriate and keeping progress visible through effective communication and reporting.
• Data Analysis & Insight
  • Analyse complex reward, benefits and workforce data to develop insight, identify trends, assess impacts and support evidence based recommendations.
  • Build and maintain robust analytical models, scenario analysis and costings to inform reward design, affordability assessments and change activity.
  • Use internal and external data sources, including market benchmarking, to assess competitiveness, equity and sustainability of reward arrangements in a regulated environment.
• Reward & Benefits Delivery
  • Deliver key reward and benefits activities and cyclical processes (e.g. pay review, bonus implementation, market pricing and benefits reviews), ensuring accuracy, consistency and appropriate controls.
  • Identify and progress opportunities to improve reward processes, tools and data quality, aligning proposals with agreed priorities and governance.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
  • Build strong, effective working relationships with HR colleagues, Finance and business stakeholders to support delivery and effective outcomes.
  • Communicate complex analytical and reward information clearly and pragmatically, adapting messages for different stakeholder audiences.
  • Provide credible challenge and professional advice, influencing outcomes through analytical insight and expertise, while operating within agreed governance and decision making frameworks.
• Governance, Risk & Compliance
  • Ensure reward and benefits activities comply with legislative, regulatory and internal policy requirements.
  • Support reward governance processes, including approvals, audit requirements and assurance activity.
  • Identify, assess and manage reward related risks, escalating issues appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Supplier & Market Engagement
  • Work with external reward, benefits and data providers to support analysis, insight and delivery.
  • Monitor supplier outputs and data quality, ensuring they meet business needs and represent value for money.
• Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Improvement
  • Act as a subject matter expert within the reward function, sharing insight, best practice and lessons learned.
  • Contribute to the development of reward capability, analytical approaches and ways of working across HR and the wider organisation.

About you

• Significant professional experience in reward, gained within an investment or financial services environment.
• Strong analytical capability, with proven experience of analysing complex reward and workforce data to develop insight, build robust models, assess options and inform decision-making.
• Strong experience using internal and external data sources, including market benchmarking, to assess competitiveness, equity and affordability of reward arrangements in a regulated environment.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering reward‑related projects or workstreams end-to-end, translating strategy or problem statements into practical, well-governed and evidence-based solutions.
• Strong understanding of reward governance, employment legislation and regulatory considerations relevant to financial services, pensions or investment organisations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience of producing high-quality analysis, papers and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate autonomously, apply sound professional judgement and manage multiple priorities in a complex and risk-aware environment.

Desirable

• Experience of benefits design, delivery or review, including working with benefits providers and advisers.
• Knowledge of benefits market practice and emerging trends to inform reward and benefits initiatives.
• Experience of, or exposure to, Remuneration Committee governance, including preparation of papers, analysis or support for decision making.

How we will reward you

• Great starting salary
• Generous annual leave package
• Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
• Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)
• Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
• Employee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and live
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Equal opportunity employer statement

USSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent. We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey please let us know by contacting resourcing@uss.co.uk.