Pensions and Benefits Advisor

About UsA career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.DescriptionJob title: Pension & Benefits AdvisorLocation: Flexible but must be willing to travel when requiredSalary: £40,000-£50,000 DOEYour New RoleJoin Hitachi Rail and make a real difference in shaping the future of employee benefits. We’re looking for a Pension & Benefits Advisor to become a key member of our Reward team. In this role, you’ll have the autonomy to influence how we deliver benefits across a dynamic, growing business—ensuring every employee enjoys a seamless, high-quality experience.Reporting to the Reward Manager, you’ll lead the day-to-day administration of our benefits portfolio and drive continuous improvement. This is your chance to combine technical expertise with creativity, helping us stay ahead in a fast-evolving landscapeYou’ll join us at an exciting time of growth, where your ideas and actions will have a tangible impact. From managing pensions and benefits to supporting strategic projects, you’ll play a vital role in creating an inclusive, rewarding environment for our people.What You’ll Be DoingDay-to-Day Benefits and Pension Administration: Manage the administration of employee benefits, including the defined contribution (DC) pension scheme, the RPS (DB) Scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, and other core and voluntary benefits. Ensuring accurate processing of contributions and communicationsBenefits Projects and M&A Support: Support the Reward Manager in benefits-related aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, harmonisation of legacy terms and conditions, and integration planning.Renewals and Vendor Management: Lead annual benefit renewal processes, liaising with providers and brokers to ensure competitive offerings and value for money. Evaluate and recommend potential new benefits aligned with business and employee needs.Employee Communication and Engagement: Develop and deliver clear, engaging communications to promote understanding and uptake of benefits. Act as a point of contact for employee queries, resolving issues with empathy and efficiency.Data Analysis and Reporting: Assist with data analysis and reporting to support wider reward initiatives, including gender pay gap reporting, benchmarking, and internal reviews.Compliance and Governance: Ensure all benefit processes comply with relevant legislation and internal policies. Monitoring legislative changes and assessing the impact on pension provision. Maintain accurate records and support audits as required. Act as the primary liaison with pension providers and support Pension Governance activities including scheme reviews, audits and regulatory reporting.About YouEssential RequirementsProven experience in UK employee benefits administration, ideally within a mid-sized or large organisation.Strong understanding of DB and DC pensions, salary sacrifice schemes, and core UK benefits legislation.Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.Confident communicator with experience handling employee queries and working with external providers.Proficient in Microsoft Excel and comfortable working with data for reporting and analysis.High attention to detail and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.DesirableExperience supporting M&A activity or benefits harmonisation projectsExperience working in the manufacturing/rail sector and/or in a partially unionised workforceExposure to broader reward topics such as pay benchmarking or job evaluation.Familiarity with HRIS or benefits platforms (e.g., Workday, SAP, or similar).Professional qualification in reward, HR, or employee benefits (e.g., CIPD, CEBS, or PMI).What We OfferWe value the importance of all of our employees, if you would like to join our fantastic organisation you could be entitled to:Competitive salary25 days holidayPension scheme with contributions up to 9%Private medical insurancePersonal Accident insuranceGroup Income protectionGroup Life InsuranceEmployee Assistance ProgrammeWe also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle.Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers.At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.We would be delighted if you would be one of our followers at https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachirail