Consultant, Benefits EMEA, Total Rewards (18 Month Fixed Term Contract)

About Northern Trust:

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Role/Department:

The Benefits Consultant role for EMEA is based in London and reports to the EMEA Benefits Manager.

Working closely with local HR partners and the Benefits team in the EMEA, the Benefits Consultant is responsible for supporting the EMEA Benefits team in managing the operation and day to day activities for the pension and benefit programmes in the region. In addition, you will support the team when undertaking key projects linked to business activity (i.e. Merger & Acquisition, TUPE) or HR initiatives (system integration/implementations) & undertake analysis of benefit programmes for integration and harmonisation, and provide recommendations.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Support EMEA Benefits Manager/Senior Benefits Consultant in primarily managing UK, Guernsey and Middle East benefit & retirement plans.

• Manage 3rd party vendor relationships, in accordance with the Corporate Vendor management Policy including monitoring performance against SLAs and partnering with procurement/legal, and works with vendors to resolve difficult individual problem situations.

• Support the team in managing the relationships with internal and external stakeholders including HR Partners, Finance, Procurement insurance companies, third party administrators, consultants and employees to provide quality service, compliance with contract terms and conditions and timely issue resolution.

• Work closely with the Employees Relations team to ensure the benefit implications of policies and procedures are correctly taken into account. Provide recommendations to improve and solve problems regarding existing policies.

• Work closely with the HR Services, payroll and HR systems teams to establish appropriate procedures for the day to day management and processing of benefits administration for new office sets ups, benefit changes and ongoing / regular procedures. Provide recommendations to improve and solve problems regarding existing procedures, and practices.

• Research policies, mandatory requirements and market competitiveness for pension and benefit programs for new and existing locations taking account of market practice and trends and providing recommendations.

• Ensure compliance of all pensions and benefit programmes with legislative and regulatory requirements.

• Provide management information in accordance with regional and corporate requirements.

• In conjunction with Senior Benefits Consultants, undertake the annual budgeting and planning and monthly budget reviews

• Support in managing the day to day operation of EMEA benefits programmes for responsible countries.

• Serve as an expert “go to” resource.

• Address elevated participant issues.

• Create, validate and manage communication programs including written and website communication, summary plan descriptions, plan documents and other plan related materials.

Skills/ Experience /Qualifications :

• Good knowledge and experience of pension, wellbeing and benefits programmes.

• Knowledge of international pension and benefit arrangements.

• Understanding of regulatory requirements and reporting.

• Experience of managing 3rd party suppliers/vendors.

• Advanced PC/ systems skills including Excel/Word and Outlook.

• Experience of budgeting.

• Excellent consulting & client servicing skills at all levels within an organisation.

• Working knowledge of HRIS systems (e.g. Workday).

• Working knowledge of flexible benefits & platforms.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Exceptional organizational skills.

• Ability to work independently.

• Able to facilitate discussions and reach decisions.

Working with Us:

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization wher