Reward Specialist - Compensation

About Cognita

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 21 countries, across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East, serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools is proudly unique, yet our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

About the role

Are you ready to shape a reward strategy that makes a real impact? We’re looking for a Reward Specialist who can bring expertise across compensation and benefits, with experience that goes beyond the UK. In this role, you’ll influence senior stakeholders, manage key relationships with benefit providers, and play a vital part in ensuring our people feel valued and rewarded. Based on our team structure, we are looking for someone with significant experience in compensation, leading pay awards and annual bonuses. This role is primarily remote with occasional travel to our London Office at Eastcastle Street. You’ll thrive if you’re analytical and commercially minded, confident working with data, skilled in advanced Excel, and able to translate insights into meaningful reward solutions. If you’re proactive, driven, and keen to design and deliver competitive pay awards, this is an opportunity to make your mark in a role where your ideas and expertise will be valued.

What you will be doing

• Delivering clear, pragmatic advice on Reward & Benefits policies.
• Collaborating with HR teams across countries to ensure alignment in communication and delivery.
• Designing and implementing KPIs that support equitable and strategic reward decisions.
• Monitoring legislative changes and assessing their impact on compensation and benefits.
• Supporting the annual pay award process and job evaluation activities.
• Leading compensation benchmarking using internal data and external reward surveys.
• Delivering UK gender pay gap reporting and supporting global ESG-linked reward projects.
• Managing benefits renewal processes and relationships with providers, recommending improvements aligned to our employee value proposition.

Who we are looking for

Experience

• A minimum of 2+ years experience in Reward, Compensation and Benefits at Junior Manager, Reward Specialist or Senior Advisor level.
• Proven experience working with multiple countries.
• Excellent project management skills and stakeholder engagement experience.

Skills & Attributes

• Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities.
• Exceptional communicator with a strong team ethos and people-first mindset.
• Organised, agile and comfortable managing competing demands.
• Solutions-driven and committed to continuous improvement.
• High personal integrity and professionalism.
• Confident working both independently and as part of a remote global team.

Benefits at Cognita

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Private Medical Insurance & Healthcare Cash Plan.
• GPPP Pension.
• Life Assurance.
• 25 days annual leave allowance (plus Bank Holidays).
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee Discounts.
• Professional Subscriptions reimbursement.

To view our Role Profile, please click here and to view our detailed Candidate pack, please click here. Please complete your application before the closing date: 1st March 2026. We encourage early applications; we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date for the right applicant. Previous candidates need not apply. Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance. We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.