Head of Reward in Leeds

In this pivotal role, you will shape and deliver compensation and benefits strategies across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy, compliance and engagement at every stage. As a hands‑on leader, you will combine operational excellence with strategic insight, managing complex processes, analysing data and implementing initiatives that make a tangible difference. Reporting directly to the HR Director, you will play a key role in evolving our global Reward and Benefits offering and influencing how we attract, retain and motivate talent worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Hands‑on delivery of reward activities: Personally manage and execute reward processes, including data preparation, analysis, and reporting for annual cycles and ad‑hoc projects.
• Act as the go‑to expert for reward queries, providing practical advice and solutions to HR colleagues and managers across the Firm, including international and expatriate considerations.
• Partner closely with HR teams globally, ensuring knowledge transfer and supporting local advisors where applicable.
• Lead and actively run annual reward cycles in the UK and Dublin, including market benchmarking, salary reviews, budgeting, approvals, and preparing communications tailored to local jurisdictions.
• Manage two direct reports with a focus on coaching and supporting their operational delivery, while also rolling up your sleeves to assist with complex tasks and data challenges.
• Maintain and update reward policies and processes, ensuring they reflect best practice and are clearly communicated across the Firm.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external brokers and consultants, coordinating benefits renewals and resolving issues promptly.
• Review and enhance reward and benefits offerings across regions, leading practical implementation of improvements and global projects.
• Ensure all legislative reward reporting is completed accurately and on time, working closely with HR Data and Systems teams.
• Stay informed on legal and market practices in reward, applying this knowledge to day‑to‑day decisions and advising senior stakeholders.
• Regularly review global reward trends and benefits benchmarks to maintain competitive positioning and support talent attraction and retention.

Firm wide Responsibilities

• Operate with a global mindset, ensuring consistency and alignment across regions.
• Act in the best interests of the Firm internally and externally.
• Manage risk and compliance issues, including data security, in a regulated environment.
• Collaborate to mitigate commercial risk across jurisdictions.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven experience in hands‑on reward and benefits operations, including international exposure (USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dublin).
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and resolve operational issues effectively.
• Technical knowledge of pay, benefits, pensions, and international mobility.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis; comfortable working with large datasets and producing clear reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex reward concepts simply.
• Highly detail‑oriented and confident handling multi‑jurisdictional issues.

Desirable

• Experience delivering strategic reward initiatives while remaining actively involved in operational execution.
• Background in designing and implementing international benefits programs.
• Understanding of global compensation structures.