Reward & Benefits Advisor

Job Description

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Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is a sector-focused international law firm with extensive expertise and industry insight across its core sectors of energy, infrastructure and transport. Through its network of 19 offices, the firm advises clients on complex, high-value transactions and disputes - matters requiring precise legal execution and a nuanced understanding of global market dynamics.

The firm's success is driven by its people. It fosters a collaborative, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can grow, share ideas and make an impact. Guided by its values -We are experts, We are united and We care - the firm delivers exceptional service through strong relationships and teamwork. The firm is committed to clear career paths, championing diversity and investing in its people so they can thrive.

The department

The Global HR team includes HR Advisory, Reward, Early Careers, Resourcing and Diversity and Inclusion. Internationally, we work with local Office Managers across the globe and our Global HR colleagues. This role sits across the HR team that provides subject matter expertise from benefits to rewards, and report to the Senior Reward Manager.

Role overview

This role will be relied upon for proactive and broad reward activities. The incumbent will have focussed area of activity in their own space of benefits and reward, but also be drawn upon to assist the Senior Reward Manager and the Global Heads of HR and wider HR team for general reward assistance throughout our various locations. The postholder must equally ensure the high-quality management of our global insurance policies and other benefit offerings.

Key activities/responsibilities Reward and compensation

• Support the annual compensation cycle, including salary reviews, bonus decisions, and pay benchmarking activities, preparation of presentation documents for leadership consideration
• Prepare and analyse reward data to support informed decision-making
• Own all market benchmarking exercises and external salary surveys; data collation from various sources, presenting data in clear format for leadership review; subsequent analysis of the compensation data received
• Assist with data collation from various sources, presenting data in clear format for line management review
• Own job evaluation and pay grading processes for relevant populations
• Gender Pay Gap report and analysis
• Assistance with EU Pay Transparency activities
• Short Term Business Visitor annual return
• Full management of the firm's insurances for employees and partners, including:
  • Group Income Protection;
  • Group Life Assurance;
  • Terminal Illness & Permanent Total Disability insurances;
  • Critical Illness;
  • Private Medical Insurance;
• End-to-end management of all policy renewals with Aon (benefits broker)
• Liaising with benefits broker on membership changes (joiners, leavers, transfers etc.)
• Managing all insurance/benefit communications within the firm, as primary point of contact
• Management of risk policy claims
• Completion of medical underwriting paperwork
• Building relationships with appointed benefit/insurance vendors and brokers
• Liaising with global Office Managers relating to local benefits and global benefits managed
• Enhancing the global benefit offering where necessary; researching and onboarding any new benefits and vendors
• Lead on communications to employees and partners on benefit changes
• Conduct research, summarise, and present any alternatives or enhancements to our benefits; presenting to HoHR for consideration for change
• Research and implement any benefits for new office locations
• Managing all wellbeing benefits for partners and employees, including:
  • Annual health screenings
  • Employee Assistance Programmes
  • WorkLife Central subscription

Skills and experience - essential

• Experience of working within HR, reward, benefits or related function
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret data with meaningful insights
• High level of attention to detail, strong communication skills and proven organisation skills
• Benefits administration experience, including renewal of annual policies
• Understanding of benefits management and claims
• Experience of reward, salary benchmarking, collating data, involvement during a compensation cycle
• Excellent communication skills and willingness to share and collaborate with colleagues
• Ability to handle self-manage and project manage
• Experience of improving processes
• Familiarity with HR systems and running reports
• Someone who is happy to roll their sleeves up, a true team player and a problem solver

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.

Additional information

The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.

Equal opportunities

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the firm's strategy and underpin its efforts to attract and retain top talent. All employment decisions are made objectively, based on merit and ability and the firm is committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment. As a Disability Confident employer, WFW welcomes adjustments for candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions and participates in the Disability Confident interview scheme. If you would like to apply through this scheme or require adjustments during any stage of the process, please contact .