US Rewards Assistant

Overview of the Firm and the HR Function

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a global law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,400 lawyers in 28 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments.

Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams.

We think and work globally - we don’t just say we are one firm; we act as one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

The HR Function delivers all HR services across the firm and works closely with all Practice Groups and Business Services to deliver against our core global people strategy and key priorities of providing a culture we care about; outstanding career development; an inclusive working environment; and a rewarding deal for all. We promote a culture of continuous improvement and embrace innovative ways of working to ensure we keep pace and remain competitive within the rapidly evolving market we operate within. We aim to deliver an exceptional and consistent Freshfields people experience.

The HR Global Experts work directly with the business and with HR Business Partners to provide the right tools and frameworks to drive the people priorities through a regional based team.

Overview of the Role, Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

This role plays an integral part in the US Total Rewards team, which works under the Head of US HR Shared Services. A key strategic element of recruiting and retention is offering a competitive and attractive compensation and benefits program. The main goal of this role is to support the US Rewards team in achieving that goal.   

More specifically each role will focus on:

• Acting as the first point of contact for the US Reward team and ensuring that all queries are responded to in a timely matter.
• Supporting the US Reward team with data entry related to payroll and benefit matters.
• Assisting the US Benefits Specialist with the daily operations of all benefits including healthcare and life insurance, STD, LTD, COBRA, flexible spending programs, employee assistance programs, and retirement plans.
• Assisting the US Benefits Specialist with preparing the HRIS systems for annual enrolment and maintaining the system for year round enrolment and any other necessary updates.
• Maintaining all data pertaining to the Leave of Absence program and administering all employer related paperwork.
• Assisting with new hire orientation and any other education opportunities with employees.
• Ensure that all Rewards documentation (policies, processes, forms, etc.) are kept up to date and stored appropriately.
• Researching and resolving employee issues and works with employee benefits providers and/or ADP to address questions and concerns.
• Providing clerical support to the Payroll Administrator and running basic reporting each month.
• Provide back up support on payroll processing as needed.
• Handling special projects and wellbeing duties assigned by the Rewards Senior Manager.
• Coordinating and scheduling any Reward events including wellbeing webinars, annual enrolment seminars, external vendor meetings, etc.
• Responsibility of all Reward invoicing and ensuring timely payments.

Key requirements (Communication/skills/experience)

• A minimum of 1-2 years of related HR experience
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of trustworthiness in handling confidential and sensitive information
• Ability to work quickly and accurately with strict attention to detail
• Strong communications skills, both oral and written
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while ex