Senior Benefits & Wellbeing Advisor

Senior Benefits & Wellbeing Advisor

Cooley is seeking a Senior Benefits and Wellbeing Advisor to join the Human Resources team.

Position Summary: The Senior Benefits & Wellbeing Adviser is responsible for the management, administration and continuous enhancement of employee benefits, wellbeing programmes and reward-related processes across the London and Brussels offices. Serving as the firm's subject matter expert for benefits and wellbeing in Europe, the role ensures programmes are competitive, compliant, cost-effective and aligned with the firm's people strategy. The role acts as a trusted adviser to employees, partners and HR colleagues and works closely with the firm's Director of Benefits & Wellness, HR Systems team, Finance, external brokers and benefits providers. The position combines strategic oversight with hands-on operational delivery and is supported by an HR team member responsible for routine administration and coordination. The Senior Benefits & Wellbeing Adviser will be responsible for but not limited to the following activities:

Position Responsibilities:

Benefits Strategy, Administration & Governance

• Lead the administration and ongoing development of the firm's benefits programmes across the London and Brussels offices, ensuring benefits are administered accurately, efficiently and in compliance with applicable legislation and firm policies.

• Oversee all benefit enrolment, membership changes and annual administration processes, ensuring scheme memberships are maintained accurately throughout the year.
• Conduct and oversee benefits orientation sessions for new hires and partners and ensure employees complete enrolment into relevant benefit programmes.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex benefits queries and liaise with brokers and benefit providers to resolve issues and improve service delivery.
• Lead annual benefit renewal activity, including planning meetings with brokers, market reviews, utilisation analysis, provider performance reviews and implementation of agreed changes.
• Develop and deliver benefits communications, presentations and educational materials, taking ownership of employee and partner communications relating to benefits changes and enhancements.
• Attend pension governance meetings and oversee administration of the firm's pension arrangements, ensuring contributions, statutory obligations and auto-enrolment requirements are met.
• Conduct market research, benefits benchmarking and employee benefits surveys, analysing findings and making recommendations to enhance the firm's offering.
• Monitor external market trends and emerging practices in benefits and wellbeing and represent the firm at relevant industry and vendor events.
• Partner with the Director of Benefits & Wellness to evaluate and implement new benefits,
• programmes, vendors, processes and technology solutions.
• Provide support for the implementation, administration, and delivery of employee benefits across Europe and globally.

Benefits Systems & Communications

• Partner with the HR Systems team to maintain and enhance benefits functionality within Cooley systems including Workday and ensure data integrity.
• Oversee the maintenance of benefits-related content, communications, forms and employee resources on internal platforms and HR systems.
• Ensure benefit records, reporting and employee communications remain accurate, current and easily accessible.
• Identify opportunities to improve employee experience through process simplification, automation and enhanced self-service resources.

Absence Management, Occupational Health & Workplace Adjustments

• Serve as the subject matter expert on absence management, workplace adjustments and employee wellbeing, providing guidance and support to HR colleagues, managers and employees.
• Act as the primary liaison with Occupational Health providers, coordinating referrals, managing provider relationships, reviewing reports and supporting timely implementation of recommendations.
• Partner with HR Managers, HR Advisers and managers on complex or sensitive absence cases, providing specialist advice to ensure consistent, fair and legally compliant outcomes.
• Advise on reasonable workplace adjustments and disability-related matters, supporting managers and HR teams in assessing options and facilitating appropriate workplace support.
• Support HR Managers and managers in the management of long-term and short-term sickness absence, including return-to-work planning, phased returns and fitness-for-work considerations.
• Provide expert guidance on sickness absence procedures, wellbeing support options and applicable employment and disability legislation.
• Facilitate and advise on stress risk assessments in partnership with HR and managers, helping to identify workplace risks and develop appropriate action plans.
• Analyse absence trends, maintain accurate records and prepare regular reports, insights and recommendations for HR leadership to support proactive wellbeing and attendance management.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and continuous improvement of absence management, workplace adjustment and wellbeing policies, processes and guidance materials.
• Deliver training, coaching and awareness initiatives for managers and HR colleagues on absence management, Occupational Health processes, workplace adjustments and employee wellbeing.
• Support broader health, safety and wellbeing initiatives, promoting a positive and inclusive employee experience.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive medical information and ensure compliance with data protection requirements and relevant legal and regulatory obligations.
• Provide specialist guidance on health and safety considerations associated with workplace adjustments and Occupational Health recommendations, working with managers, Facilities and HR colleagues to identify and mitigate risks, support employee wellbeing and ensure compliance with relevant legal obligations.

HR Analytics & Reporting

• Partner with the HR Systems team to produce regular and ad hoc management reporting and analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Analyse benefits utilisation, participation levels, programme effectiveness and return on investment.
• Produce reward and benefits analysis, including take-up rates, cost analysis and workforce trends.
• Support reporting relating to diversity, equity and inclusion metrics, including gender pay gap reporting, attrition analysis and workforce demographic trends.
• Prepare benefits budgeting, forecasting and resource planning analysis.
• Develop meaningful reporting dashboards and management information for HR leadership and firm management.

Vendor Management & Financial Oversight

• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, pension providers and wellbeing vendors to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Review performance metrics, service levels and utilisation data to maximise value from external providers.
• Support benefits budgeting and forecasting activities and monitor benefits expenditure.
• Review invoices and financial reporting associated with benefit and wellbeing programmes.

Team Support & Continuous Improvement

• Provide day-to-day guidance and work allocation to the HR team member supporting benefits and wellbeing administration.
• Review and oversee administrative activities to ensure accuracy, compliance and service excellence.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiencies across benefits, wellbeing and reward activities.
• Contribute to wider HR projects and global people initiatives as required.

Person Specification: 

Required

• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion and in accordance with data protection regulations.
• Experience building credibility and working effectively with senior stakeholders, including partners, lawyers and business leaders.
• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality outcomes in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to lead initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including the interpretation and presentation of complex HR, reward and benefits data.

Preferred

• Experience working in a US-headquartered firm.
• Professional qualification in reward, benefits or human resources (e.g., CIPD or equivalent).
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems.
• Experience supporting benefits programmes in Europe or across other jurisdictions.

Competencies

• Proven ability to organise, prioritise and manage multiple workstreams effectively, delegating routine activities appropriately to supporting HR team members and shared service functions while maintaining overall accountability for delivery.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision, while also contributing positively as part of a collaborative HR team in a fast-paced professional services environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including strong presentation, proofreading and drafting capabilities, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Highly professional, approachable and service-oriented, with the ability to inspire confidence and build credibility with partners, lawyers, business professionals and external vendors.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence and gravitas to influence, challenge and gain the trust and respect of senior professionals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and adapt style to audiences at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, discretion and diplomacy when managing confidential and sensitive employee compensation and benefits matters.
• Proactive, reliable and accountable, with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality work and meeting deadlines.
• Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to excellent service delivery, including the ability to anticipate needs, identify potential issues and proactively implement solutions.
• Strong analytical and numerical capability, with experience interpreting benefits, reward and workforce data to support informed decision-making.
• Commercially aware and solutions-focused, with the ability to balance employee experience, operational requirements and cost considerations.
• Continuous improvement mindset, demonstrating enthusiasm for personal development, innovation and the enhancement of HR processes, systems and programmes.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to embrace organisational change, champion new initiatives and support others through change effectively.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to foster strong working relationships, promote teamwork and positively influence outcomes across multiple stakeholder groups.

Reporting to this position: No direct reports.

Cooley offers an excellent benefits package and competitive compensation including:

• Enhanced family leave
• Health and dental insurance
• Group income protection
• Life assurance
• Pension
• Fertility benefits
• Wellness programs
• Employee discounts including a fitness and nutrition allowance
• And more!

A comprehensive benefits brochure will be provided to all candidates during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We strive to create an inclusive and rewarding environment that allows our people to thrive both professionally and personally. The Firm does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.  This policy governs all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, promotion, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Cooley (UK) LLP is dedicated to making our recruitment practices and candidate interviews inclusive and accessible for everyone. If you have a medical condition, disability or are neurodivergent and require reasonable accommodations, adjustments or support during your interview process, please contact [email protected]. We assure you all requests will be treated with sensitivity and strict confidentiality, and they will not affect your potential employment with Cooley (UK) LLP.