Senior Reward Specialist

At 1st Central, everything starts with our people.

As one of the UK’s leading motor and home insurers, we use smart technology, data and great service to make insurance fast, fair and simple for over 1.4 million customers. We’re proud to create an environment where people feel supported, trusted and able to grow
-whether that’s developing new skills, taking on fresh challenges or making a real impact every day. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Reward Specialist to join us on a 12‑month Fixed Term contract
, playing a key role in shaping our future reward strategy.

Working in close partnership with the Reward & Analytics Manager, you’ll lead a high‑impact programme to redesign and implement our end‑to‑end reward frameworks. This includes reward structures, share plans, incentive schemes and remuneration governance, ensuring they are commercially effective, competitive and aligned to both business strategy and regulatory expectations.

This is a highly visible role with real influence. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across the business, helping to shape reward decisions that support performance, engagement and long‑term growth. Reporting to the HR Director, with a dotted line into the Reward & Analytics Manager, you’ll ensure that existing processes, systems and controls are effectively considered, while driving forward meaningful and lasting change.

We’re big on flexible hybrid working.
Our teams are based across Haywards Heath (West Sussex) and Salford Quays (Manchester). We primarily work from home, with flexibility around how often you come into the office, while still valuing regular in‑person collaboration to keep ideas flowing. From time to time, you may also be asked to attend meetings in London or other locations, giving you the opportunity to connect with colleagues and stakeholders across the business.

• Strategic Reward Expertise: Strength to translate business priorities into practical reward frameworks.
• Data Analysis & Insights: Strong analytical skills and confidence working with reward, market and people data.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Influence: Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and relationship‑building skills.
• Project & Programme Management: Ability to manage multiple work streams, dependencies and deadlines; work independently and proactively while collaborating across functions.
• Market & Regulatory Interpretation: Ability to interpret external market practice and regulatory expectations and apply them proportionately to the organisation.
• Attention to Detail & Governance: High attention to detail, strong judgement and ability to produce accurate, controlled and auditable work.

• Lead the re‑design and delivery of the reward strategy, ensuring it supports business performance, sustainable growth, colleague engagement and the organisation’s operating model.
• Act as subject‑matter expert for reward, advising on pay philosophy, pay governance, incentive design, share plans, benefits and recognition frameworks.
• Review existing reward and recognition policies to develop new frameworks, practices and governance arrangements, identifying changes required while staying aligned to values, culture, risk appetite and strategic priorities.
• Use Workday, benchmarking, analytics and external market data to develop insight‑led reward recommendations.
• Support the development of revised reward governance processes, approval routes, delegated authorities and controls appropriate for the organisation.
• Work effectively with all internal stakeholders to ensure reward processes are robust, auditable and aligned to relevant internal and external requirements.

• Prepare high‑quality papers and recommendations for the Remuneration Committee, Executive Committee and other governance forums, reviewed and endorsed by the Reward & Analytics Manager, HR Director and Chief People Officer.
• Support the design and implementation of Executive and Senior Leadership reward frameworks,…