Benefits Lead/Project Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Charge: Oversee the delivery and enhancement of business-as-usual benefits activities, including refreshing Total Reward Statements and facilitating the 2027 Bonus Exchange window.
• Collaborative Approach: Work alongside the Reward team, Procurement, IT, Payroll, People Services, Finance, and external suppliers to ensure alignment with the organisation's People strategy.
• Vendor Management: Take charge of managing benefits vendors, collaborating with Procurement and Reward colleagues throughout the transition.
• Project Leadership: Drive the implementation of the new benefits platform from provider selection to operational handover, ensuring it meets business and employee needs.
• Design and Configuration: Collaborate with internal stakeholders and the platform provider to define future-state design, platform configuration, and operational processes that enhance compliance and employee experience.
• Implementation Planning: Develop and oversee internal implementation plans, coordinating activities across multiple departments to achieve key milestones.
• Business Readiness: Ensure readiness for data migration, payroll integration, and operational processes, securing validation and stakeholder sign-off.
• User Acceptance Testing: Lead testing, issue resolution, and readiness assessments to ensure a successful go-live and provide hypercare support post-implementation.
• Engagement and Training: Deliver communication and training activities to foster understanding and support the successful adoption of the new platform.
• Performance Management: Serve as the primary business lead for implementation suppliers, managing performance, risks, issues, and providing regular progress reports to stakeholders.
• Compliance Assurance: Collaborate with the internal legal team to document compliance with DPIA/RoPA requirements.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• In-depth knowledge of employee benefits programmes and significant experience in managing them.
• Strong capability in managing complex supplier relationships and conducting procurement exercises.
• Proven track record in leading HR, Reward, or benefits implementation projects.
• Exceptional project planning and implementation skills with an ability to meet demanding timelines.
• Excellent communication skills with a knack for change management.
• Strong influencing skills to drive delivery across multiple stakeholders.
• Risk management and problem-solving expertise.
• Familiarity with payroll deductions and benefits administration processes.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and benefits platform integration processes.
• Relevant qualifications such as CIPD, degree-level education, or Project Management certification, or equivalent experience.