Reward & Recognition Consultant

Join to apply for the Reward & Recognition Consultant role at Civil Aviation Authority. Circa £47,000 dependent upon experience. Contract Type: FTC, Full-time (up to 12 months maternity cover). Security Level: BPSS. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

About The Team

We’re a small, friendly, and inclusive team that values collaboration, fresh ideas, and making work enjoyable. In 2023, we introduced a new reward model that’s opened up some exciting and innovative lines of work, and we’re just getting started. We work on a variety of interesting projects, with even more on the horizon over the next 12 months — a great opportunity to grow your skills and experience. We’re open to suggestions from everyone and pride ourselves on creating an environment where all voices are heard. We work flexibly and normally all come into the office every Tuesday, which gives us the chance to connect in person, catch up over coffee, and enjoy our regular team lunch together.

The Role

To support the Reward and Recognition Manager in the further embedding and evolution of our Reward Model, including the development, implementation and ongoing support of the key products, practices and processes that support delivery of the CAA’s total reward strategy and alignment with the People Strategy.

Core Accountabilities

• To work collaboratively with the Reward and Recognition Manager in continuing to embed, refine, develop, and further evolve the CAA’s Reward Model, including the introduction of job professions/career pathways and reviewing of our pay governance arrangements.
• Deliver a range of expert reward services and advice to enhance the culture of the CAA and further embed the reward model, both internally within the People and Culture team and externally to colleagues, managers and other customers and stakeholders across the business as appropriate.
• To act as the Reward Team lead on pensions matters, including the provision of secretariat to the DC Pension Scheme governance committee, working closely with them and our pension scheme advisors to increase engagement with colleagues, improve communications and raise awareness of the benefits of saving into the pension scheme.
• Lead on the development of a new Recognition Scheme for the CAA.
• Work closely with the Reward and Recognition Manager in the preparation and drafting of People and Culture LT/ExCo/Board papers as appropriate on reward matters.
• As part of the CAA’s pay benchmarking strategy, participate in and contribute to the undertaking of an annual pay benchmarking exercise, in collaboration with other members of the Reward Team.
• Provide relevant pay data, analysis and intelligence for stakeholders at all levels (both at a corporate level and on an ad-hoc basis) to help inform and influence decisions on all pay and reward related matters.
• Contribute to and participate in the Annual Pay Review process, including annual pay negotiations with the Trade Unions, modelling, communications and implementation of the awards in April in conjunction with the payroll team.
• Undertake job evaluations and participate in job evaluation panels.
• Participate in and contribute to the undertaking of the annual pay gap reporting analysis, including Gender Pay Gap reporting, preparation of the report and findings, socialising with the D&I committee and ExCo and publication of report.
• Contribute to and participate in cross cutting and organisational reward projects, as part of the further embedding and evolution of our Reward Model.

About You

Essential Criteria:

• Experienced Compensation and Benefits practitioner, with specific knowledge or experience including annual pay review cycle, reward systems, pay modelling, benefits and pensions.
• Knowledge of job evaluation/job-sizing techniques.
• A high level of competence in standard Microsoft office software packages (Intermediate to advanced Excel skills).
• Effective analytical skills to enable collation, measurement, and interpretation of data and to support the presentation of complex information in a concise manner.
• Good interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills - ability to rapidly establish credibility and develop constructive working relationships with customers and stakeholders at all levels, both within the People and Culture team and more widely across the business.
• Ability to work proactively, flexibly and to manage competing priorities in a complex reward environment and your workload to deliver to tight timescales.
• Good project management skills.

Desirable Criteria:

• Awareness of key HR procedures and their practical application is desirable.
• CIPD qualified or willing to study towards qualification.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance. To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations. We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers. We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us. We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone.

Closing Date: 25th June 2025

Interview Date: TBC - July 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.