Head of Reward

Head of Reward

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Canada Life

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the HR Reward & Benefits team to deliver innovative compensation solutions.
  • Company: Join Irish Life, a leading financial institution with a strong commitment to employee growth.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including wellbeing initiatives.
  • Other info: Embrace a hybrid working model and be part of a diverse, inclusive culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on employee satisfaction and organisational success in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Significant experience in reward practices and a CIPD qualification are preferred.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.

Full Time Permanent position. Hybrid role based in our City Centre offices.

What we offer:

  • We have embraced a hybrid working model for most of our positions, allowing a balanced approach of working from home and from the office.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including competitive salaries and bonuses, robust Learning and Development support, excellent Defined Contribution pension, and comprehensive Wellbeing initiatives.

At Irish Life, our purpose is to help people build better futures. Our company values shape everything we do and underpin our vision of being the driving force behind Ireland's financial, physical, and mental well-being. We believe in doing the right thing, acting with integrity and making fair, responsible decisions. We aim high, setting ambitious goals and constantly find better ways to innovate and improve. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations. We believe that as a team we work best together, in a supportive, collaborative environment where every idea and contribution is valued.

Role Overview:

The successful person will lead and develop the Irish Life Group (ILG) HR Reward & Benefits team to deliver high-quality business-as-usual objectives and a broad range of Reward and Benefits projects, including EU Pay Transparency, ensuring that our Reward & Benefit policies and practices continuously support the delivery of our strategy and risk appetite. The Head of Reward acts as a business partner and a subject matter expert on all aspects of compensation and benefits, providing strategic advice to senior leadership ensuring Reward frameworks are market competitive, cost effective and support business objectives.

What you will help us to achieve:

  • Lead and develop the ILG Group HR - Reward and Benefits team to consistently deliver effective and efficient reward solutions.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to all stakeholders (e.g., business leaders, HRBPs) to provide guidance around Reward practices, remuneration structures and processes.
  • Lead the implementation of the annual compensation process (Salary reviews, Bonus awards, Executive compensation (JG16+), APSS Share Scheme) for all ILG companies in Ireland (including Cornmarket & Unio), ensuring adherence to budgetary allowance and compliance with regulations and standards.
  • Lead the completion of the annual salary benchmarking and salary range reviews by managing the retrieval and submission of detailed data input from reward surveys, analysis of survey results to identify appropriate benchmark data for all roles, market trends, forecasts, and anomalies, and preparation of reports/information to deliver relevant & accurate information and recommendations to business leaders.
  • Manage the relationship with third parties responsible for delivery or support of reward mechanisms.
  • Lead the investment bonus scheme and Solvency II calculations and deferrals process to ensure compliance with all Solvency II / Remuneration Policy requirements.
  • Manage the Income Protection policy, including ongoing administration and development.
  • Lead any benefit initiatives (defined annually) which could include benefit administration/oversight on Healthcare, Wellbeing, Car policy, Retirement, Mobility etc.
  • Design and develop remuneration structures required following market review, significant internal restructures, or acquisitions, including identifying appropriate benefits e.g., salary ranges, bonus, car, pension, and health offerings.
  • Lead Strategic Reward and Benefits projects and participate in various HR Projects as required to support the broader HR agenda and ensure adherence to applicable regulations.
  • Own the Reward framework, principles, policy and standards ensuring robust governance, documentation and decision making regarding Reward practices.
  • Report to and support the engagement with the ILG Board Remuneration Committee.
  • Production of internal and external gender pay reports to ensure all our gender pay reporting obligations are fully met.
  • Identify networking opportunities for the Company in the marketplace, report on market insights & represent the Company as required.

More specific responsibilities will include:

  • Values/Culture: Act in a manner consistent with the organisation's vision and values. Act as a role model in promoting behaviour that is consistent with the organisation's vision and values.
  • Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all relevant risk and regulatory requirements; proactively highlight any risks so that mitigating actions can be taken.
  • People Management: If you have people responsibilities, oversee the activities of direct reports to ensure a high performing, well-motivated and developed team which delivers the required results.
  • Financial/Budgetary responsibility: If you have budgetary responsibilities, monitor and manage local expenditure to ensure value for money is achieved and that budgets are managed responsibly.

What you will need to be successful in the role:

  • Significant experience working in a reward environment as part of a wider HR team.
  • CIPD qualification strongly desirable.
  • A strong working knowledge of reward practices and processes (performance management frameworks, reward analysis, job evaluation etc.).
  • Strong knowledge of Irish Employment Legislation and the compliance requirements of the role.
  • Strong understanding of Risk Management processes and technologies.
  • Demonstrable experience in delivering large complex projects within budget and timeline.
  • Financially articulate and have a clear ability to read financial trends within the business.
  • Have strong ability to lead and empower others to deliver positive results for stakeholders.
  • Excellent strategic thinking and process improvement capability.

About us:

Irish Life is one of Ireland's largest financial institutions with a presence across a range of financial services markets. We are one of Ireland's leading financial services groups with over 1.5 million customers. For over 80 years, we've been helping people to look after their life insurance, pension and investment needs, and more recently their health insurance. It is a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco and a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. We are proud of our culture of developing and supporting the growth and professional development of our people. The focus has resulted in a team of top talent with high standards, positioning us at the forefront of our industry.

Irish Life is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We have created an environment of inclusion and growth to help people achieve their potential, to ensure they can bring their whole selves to work and to feel valued. We celebrate diversity of thought and perspective and want all of our employees to feel valued, respected and supported. We have built a culture that promotes equality and inclusion for all of our current and future employees and strive to ensure that our behaviours, processes and practices are aligned to this culture.

If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process please contact us and we will be delighted to ensure you are fully supported to be your best. ILGL supports Equal Opportunity and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Head of Reward employer: Canada Life

Irish Life is an exceptional employer, offering a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while being located in the vibrant City Centre. With a comprehensive benefits package, robust learning and development support, and a strong commitment to employee well-being, we foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where every team member's contributions are valued. Our focus on professional growth and our dedication to helping employees build better futures make us a standout choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

Canada Life

Contact Detail:

Canada Life Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🀫

We think this is how you could land Head of Reward

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you answer questions more effectively and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Reward role. Highlight your experience, skills, and what you can bring to the table. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and hit that apply button!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Reward

Reward Practices
Compensation Analysis
Benefits Management
CIPD Qualification
Irish Employment Legislation
Risk Management
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Reward role. Highlight your experience in reward environments and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission at Irish Life. Keep it engaging and personal.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've delivered results in previous roles, especially in areas like compensation processes or project management.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at Canada Life

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of reward practices and processes. Brush up on performance management frameworks, job evaluations, and the latest trends in compensation. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to the team.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking and process improvement capabilities. Think about past projects where you led initiatives or made significant improvements. Be ready to discuss how these experiences align with the goals of the Head of Reward role.

✨Understand the Company Culture

Familiarise yourself with Irish Life's values and culture. They emphasise integrity, collaboration, and customer focus. During the interview, reflect these values in your answers and show how you can contribute to a supportive and innovative environment.

✨Prepare Questions

Have thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers. Ask about their current reward initiatives, challenges they face, or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.