Pension & Benefits Manager

Job description

Are you an experienced Reward professional with deep expertise in pensions and employee benefits? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, acquisitive environment where you can shape strategy, influence senior stakeholders, and drive meaningful change? At The Ardonagh Group, we're looking for a Head of Pensions & Benefits to lead the design, governance, and evolution of our UK pensions and benefits offering, while providing strategic oversight and guidance across our growing international businesses. About Us The Ardonagh Group is a leading independent insurance distribution platform with operations spanning UK & Ireland, Specialty, Europe, LatAm, and AsiaPac . Through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, we've built a truly international business operating across multiple markets and employing thousands of colleagues worldwide. As part of our Group Reward & Equity team, you'll play a key role in shaping a benefits strategy that supports our people, aligns with business objectives, and reflects our commitment to being an employer of choice. The Opportunity Reporting into the Group Reward function, you'll be the subject matter expert for pensions and benefits, taking ownership of the UK's benefits strategy and delivery while providing policy leadership across our international regions. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution and is ideal for someone who enjoys balancing operational excellence with long-term reward planning. Key Responsibilities Lead the development and implementation of pensions and benefits policy in response to legislative, market, and business changes. Act as the Group subject matter expert for pensions, private medical insurance, risk benefits, and voluntary benefits. Align benefits programmes with our wider wellbeing and employee experience strategy. Manage and optimise relationships with external providers, consultants, and internal stakeholders. Own and continuously improve the Group benefits platform, ensuring seamless integration with HR and payroll systems, including Dayforce. Ensure full compliance with pensions and benefits legislation, including auto-enrolment and re-enrolment requirements. Support senior-level recruitment and exit negotiations, including complex pension arrangements for high earners. Simplify and harmonise benefits provision across a business shaped by acquisitions and growth. Drive innovation, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency across all benefits processes. Maintain the highest standards of governance, risk management, and financial control. What We're Looking For Essential Experience & Expertise Significant experience managing defined contribution pension schemes within large UK organisations. Strong knowledge of pensions legislation, governance, and compliance requirements. Expertise across employee risk benefits, private medical insurance, wellbeing initiatives, and broader benefits programmes. Experience managing benefits platforms and integrating systems with HR and payroll technology. Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels, including senior executives. Experience operating with autonomy, making decisions, and driving outcomes in a complex environment. A proactive, resilient, and solutions-focused approach. Desirable Understanding of international benefits design and governance. Experience within financial services or insurance sectors. Why Join Ardonagh? This is an opportunity to shape the future of pensions and benefits within one of the world's leading independent insurance groups. You'll work alongside senior leaders, influence strategic decisions, and play a critical role in delivering a compelling employee value proposition for colleagues across the globe. If you're looking for a role where you can make a real impact while working in a collaborative, ambitious, and evolving organisation, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help us create a benefits strategy that supports our people and powers our growth. What We Offer Join a team that values diversity, collaboration, and growth. We provide: Inclusive culture with apprenticeships, study support, and recognition through our annual Spotlight Awards Wellbeing programs and discounts on supermarkets, gyms, restaurants, healthcare, and more Flexible working for a great work-life balance Competitive salary plus benefits including: 6% employer pension contribution (with 2% employee contribution) Life Assurance (4x base salary) Group Income Protection Generous annual leave Annual bonus scheme We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The Ardonagh Group is an equal opportunities employer, with a growing and thriving diversity, equity and inclusion strategy; we are committed to a working environment that is free from discrimination, is inclusive, and empowers our people to bring their whole self to work and reach their full potential. The Company In an industry that never stands still, neither do we. The Ardonagh Group was founded in 2017 and has grown to become the UK’s largest independent insurance distribution platform and a top 20 broker globally. Our best-in-class entrepreneurial and specialist brands span a network of 150+ locations worldwide and have a combined workforce of more than c.10,000 people. Across our portfolio, we offer a highly diversified range of insurance-related products and services across the full insurance value chain in the UK, Ireland and broader international markets. From complex multinational corporations to individuals purchasing personal insurance policies, our understanding of the communities we serve, together with our scale and breadth, allows us to deliver a broad range of product and risk solutions to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market. If you approach life with a sense of adventure you might just find what you need at Ardonagh to bring your ambition to life. Find out more about Ardonagh’s world of opportunity on LinkedIn or visit . #AD