Principal Specialist, Rewards

This is a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy within the Total Rewards organization, responsible for developing and advancing National Grid's global benefits strategy across the U.S. and U.K. The role reports directly to the Global Benefits Director, and leads strategic evaluation of employee benefit programs, market competitiveness assessments, plan design, benchmarking, pricing analysis, and executive recommendations that support the Company's workforce and business objectives.

The Principal partners with internal and external partners to evaluate benefit investments, develop short-term and long-term benefit strategies, lead consultant and vendor Requests for Proposal (RFPs), support mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and additional initiatives, and recommend innovative, market-leading benefit solutions. The ideal candidate brings a strong consulting mindset with extensive experience in benefits strategy, plan design, financial analysis, and executive stakeholder engagement.

This position is located in Brooklyn, NY or Waltham, MA and will work a flexible, hybrid schedule.

* Develop and maintain National Grid's global benefits strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned with business and Total Rewards objectives.
* Lead strategic evaluations of health, welfare, retirement, leave, wellbeing, life, disability, and voluntary benefit programs.
* Conduct market benchmarking and competitive assessments to evaluate plan competitiveness and emerging industry trends.
* Develop benefit plan design recommendations supported by market intelligence, workforce insights, financial modeling, and employee experience data.
* develop benefits scorecards, executive dashboards, and evaluation frameworks measuring competitiveness, utilization, financial performance, and return on investment.
* Lead pricing analyses, contribution strategy modeling, healthcare trend analysis, financial forecasting, and business case development.
* Lead consultant and vendor RFPs, including requirements development, proposal evaluation, pricing comparisons, finalist recommendations, and contract strategy.
* Partner with internal teams, and external consultants to evaluate strategic opportunities and optimize benefit investments.
* Support mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational restructuring through benefits due diligence, integration planning, and harmonization strategies.
* Monitor U.S. and global benefits trends, legislative developments, and market innovations to inform future strategy.
* Present strategic recommendations and executive-level materials to senior leadership and governance committees.
* Partner with Benefits Operations, Compliance, Payroll, and Communications teams to ensure strategic initiatives are effectively implemented
* Lead or support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned in support of Total Rewards and broader People Function priorities.

* Bachelor's degree required; MBA, Master's degree, or CEBS certification preferred.
* Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in employee benefits, Total Rewards, benefits strategy, or benefits consulting.
* Minimum of 5 years of experience leading or playing a key role in benefits strategy, plan design, benchmarking, pricing analysis, benefit evaluations, or strategic consulting engagements.
* Demonstrated expertise in both UK and US benefits, or broader global benefits strategy, is preferred.
* Experience leading consultant and vendor RFPs, strategic sourcing initiatives, and vendor evaluations.
* Demonstrated experience conducting benefit program evaluations, market benchmarking, pricing analysis, financial modeling, and executive business case development.
* Experience supporting M&A due diligence, benefit integration, and harmonization.
* Experience working within a consulting firm (e.g., Mercer, WTW, Aon) or a large complex organization is preferred.
* Strong analytical, financial, project management, communication, and executive presentation skills.
* Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead enterprise-wide strategic initiatives without direct people management.

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