Reward Lead

We're looking for an experienced Reward Lead to join the People team of a major international financial services organisation. This is a broad, hands-on Reward role where you'll take ownership of the day-to-day Reward agenda, balancing operational delivery with longer-term Reward improvements. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, Finance and the wider Reward function to ensure pay, benefits and Reward processes are competitive, equitable, commercially sound and aligned with the organisation's wider strategy.

The Role As Reward Lead, you'll play a key role in shaping and delivering the organisation's Reward agenda, with particular responsibility for the operational delivery of Reward activity. Your responsibilities will include:
Leading the annual Compensation Review Process, including planning, modelling, analysis and delivery. Managing and developing the organisation's approach to reward benchmarking, using market data to inform pay decisions and salary positioning. Managing employee benefits, including relationships with external providers and reward vendors. Producing and interpreting Reward MI, reporting and analysis, including pay review outcomes and pay gap reporting. Supporting the development and maintenance of pay structures, job evaluation and Reward frameworks.

Providing expert Reward advice to HR Business Partners, managers and senior leaders on salary, promotions, offers, retention and other Reward decisions. Leading Reward projects and continuous improvement initiatives, including benefits and process enhancements. Working closely with Finance on Reward modelling, budgets, scenarios and affordability. Supporting compliance with Reward-related legislation, including equal pay and pay transparency requirements. Acting as a Reward SME across the wider People function, providing insight into market trends, inflation and emerging Reward practices.

Working with Group and Corporate Reward colleagues in a complex, matrix environment. Developing Reward guidance, communications and manager toolkits to support consistent application of Reward processes. About You We're looking for an established Reward professional with significant experience across compensation, benefits and Reward operations. You'll ideally have:
Extensive experience working within a Reward-focused role in a complex organisation. Strong experience delivering annual salary/pay review and bonus processes. Proven experience with salary benchmarking and market data, ideally using recognised methodologies such as WTW, Mercer, Korn Ferry/Hay or similar. Strong analytical and numerical capability, with experience of Reward modelling and scenario analysis. Experience managing benefits and external Reward providers.

Experience producing Reward MI, including pay gap reporting and pay review analysis. Strong understanding of Reward governance, legislation and best practice. Experience working with senior stakeholders and confidently presenting Reward analysis, recommendations and options. Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills. Strong Excel and analytical skills. Experience operating within a matrix or international organisation would be highly beneficial. A CIPD or Reward-related qualification is desirable.

What makes this role interesting? This is an opportunity to join a sophisticated international Reward environment where you'll have genuine ownership of the operational Reward agenda. You'll have the opportunity to work across compensation, benefits, benchmarking, analytics, governance and Reward transformation, while partnering directly with senior stakeholders and Finance. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys getting into the detail, solving problems and making Reward processes work, while also being able to step back and identify opportunities to improve the wider Reward proposition.

If you're an experienced Reward professional looking for a role that combines hands-on Reward delivery with strategic influence, we'd be keen to hear from you.