Specialist/Manager, Total Rewards

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.
Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.
This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.

Total Rewards Specialist/Manager will work across our UK, Europe and Asia  offices. The aim of this role is to support and enhance the benefit and well-being programmes in the UK, Europe and Asia offices and be responsible for assisting with market reviews and implementing benefits competitive in the local markets. 

This role will proactively liaise and leverage external resources (vendors and consultants) and internal firm partners (HR, Payroll, Finance, etc.) to identify gaps and to create efficient processes. 

What You Will Do 

·         Responsible for supporting and enhancing the benefits and well-being programming in the UK, Europe and Asia offices, including the annual renewal processes in December/January. 

·         Responsible for assisting with sourcing and conducting market surveys and drafting proposals for the benefits and well-being programming for each of our UK,  Europe and Asian offices. Once implemented/enhanced, working with local offices to maintain benefit and well-being plans. 

·         Drafting communications for Europe and Asian offices such as office-wide benefits guides, web page content, etc. 

·         Organise and actively participate in office benefit fairs (where appropriate). Generate good working relationships with suppliers and vendors; schedule ad hoc “contract review” meetings to encourage regular dialogue and feedback; measure SLAs. 

·          Prepare annual benefits documents for new joiners and leavers. 

·         Promote and facilitate education about all office benefit programmes and encourage questions and engagement. Maintains and revises technical and administrative specifications of the plans including updating and posting appropriate documents on the iNet. 

·         Works with local HR teams and U.S. Well-Being Specialist to acknowledge and raise awareness of key calendar events e.g. Mental Health week in the UK; World Mental Health Day in October; Veganuary in January etc. 

·         Prepares budget/budget reforecast information with local HR input to Managing Director, Benefits, HRIS and HR Operations for Europe and Asia offices. 

·         Recommends and implements improvements to existing internal audit procedures, as well as develops and implements new internal audit procedures to insure accuracy of benefits enrollments and compliance with legal regulations. Identify and resolve data discrepancies to ensure consistency and accuracy of benefit calculations, and reconcile accounts for UK, Europe and Asia. 

·         Assists the UK HR Assistant (when required) in the administration of all UK partner health and welfare benefit plans and supports the U.S. Benefits Team with partner health and welfare benefit plans for UK, Europe and Asia, working alongside the U.S. Benefits Team and local HR teams. 

·         Maintains thorough knowledge of the firm’s benefits, policies and procedures. Supports HR Assistant with UK benefits queries and acts as main contact for Europe and Asia benefit queries. 

·         Responsible for processing benefit invoices. Runs and reviews auditing reports from the HRIS team on a regular basis and takes appropriate action. Supporting the HR Assistant (when required) with processing UK benefit invoices and running and auditing reports from the HRIS team on a regular basis and guiding with appropriate actions. 

·         Conducts benefits orientations for onboarding new joiners and partners in UK (along with HR assistant)  and for Europe and Asia. Recommends presentation or content enhancements. Educates wider HR team on local benefit plans. 

·         Partner with HRIS team and external vendors to review feedback files from electronic feeds to vendors for UK, Europe and Asia. 

·         Partners with pension consultant to arrange funding for monthly UK pension scheme contributions and assists U.S. Manager, Retirement Plans and Benefits with administration of the scheme. Partners with pension consultant to arrange financial planning education, and new joiner and high earner meetings, supported by the HR Assistant. 

·         Maintains current knowledge of trends, developments and legislative rulings related to benefits and Human Resources in Europe and Asia. Updates documentation and template letters to comply with regulatory changes to benefits laws. Maintains current knowledge of GDPR  and Hong Kong privacy laws and ensures protection of privacy when dealing with protected health information. 

·         Assist with surveys and benchmarking to evaluate existing programs and make recommendations for improvements. 

·         Liaise with HR Managers and Office Administrators in the UK, Europe and Asia to ensure consistency across the firm for overall well-being programming. Working with the Well-Being Specialist in the U.S. 

·         Provide support and back-up for other team members, when necessary. 

Who You Are 

·         Bachelor's degree. CIPD qualified and MHFA qualified preferred. 

·         At least 5 years of experience in HR Benefits or in a wider HR role, handling benefits in an international environment. 

·         Strong working knowledge of UK statutory benefits requirements and UK employment legislation as well as an understanding of European/Asian statutory requirements and market practices. 

·         Advanced Microsoft Office skills required (i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint) 

·         Experience with Workday (our HRIS) a plus.  

·         Working knowledge of web-based computer environment and software programs, spreadsheets, employee database (HRIS). 

·         Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with a broad range of people in a professional manner. 

·         Must demonstrate the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs. 

·         Ability to maintain professional demeanor in all situations and ability to interact effectively with all levels of firm personnel including the Benefits and HR team and Payroll and Finance departments. 

·         Must be customer service focused and have the ability to follow up and follow through. 

·         Excellent attention to detail. 

·         Demonstrate the ability to work independently with limited guidance, and exercise sound independent judgment including knowing when to delegate or when to consult with the HR Manager, Retirement Plans and Benefits. 

·         Able to understand and work in a team with a collaborative style and environment; able to share information, goals, opportunities, successes and failures with the appropriate parties and HR management team. 

·         Must be flexible and able to work under tight deadlines, handle multiple tasks and respond quickly to changing priorities and responsibilities.  

·         Ability to anticipate problems and focus on appropriate solutions while incorporating differing viewpoints. 

·         Ability to work effectively in a multi-office global environment. 

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Goodwin is a disability-inclusive employer. Please contact us if you require any disability-related adjustments during the interview process, or would like to have a confidential conversation with a member of the recruitment team. If there are any disability-related reasons which have impacted your profile, we may also be able to make adjustments for these. Please see our Disability-Related Screening Adjustments page if this applies to you. (Disability refers to sensory and physical conditions, long-term health conditions, neurodivergence and mental health conditions).