Head of Rewards in Cambridge

Head of Rewards in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 125000 - 125000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
ECR Global

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the creation of a modern reward strategy and oversee transformation initiatives.
  • Company: Join a large UK organisation focused on customer-centric operational services.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary up to £125,000, bonus, car allowance, and hybrid working.
  • Other info: Opportunity for strategic influence and career growth in a supportive culture.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact by shaping reward strategies in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Senior Reward leadership experience with expertise in pay frameworks and transformation.

The predicted salary is between 125000 - 125000 € per year.

We’re partnering with a large, UK-based organisation operating at significant scale within a regulated, customer-focused environment. The business delivers critical operational and administrative services that support major institutions behind the scenes. Following a period of change, the organisation is now investing heavily in its people strategy - creating an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Reward to build and lead a modern, scalable reward function from the ground up.

This is a high-impact senior leadership role with responsibility for defining and delivering a group-wide reward strategy while leading a multi-year transformation programme.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Define and deliver a reward strategy aligned to business and people priorities
  • Develop and execute a multi-year transformation roadmap
  • Balance ambition with cost and operational constraints
  • Design and implement pay ranges and progression frameworks
  • Shape communication to support trust and engagement
  • Review and modernise legacy reward structures and terms
  • Design and implement incentive and variable pay schemes
  • Benefits strategy and offering
  • Recognition frameworks
  • Identify and implement appropriate reward technology solutions
Stakeholder & Commercial Leadership:
  • Influence at Executive and senior leadership level
  • Partner closely with HR, operations, and external providers
  • Build robust, ROI-driven investment cases
Team Leadership:
  • Lead and develop a small but capable reward team
  • Elevate the function from operational delivery to strategic impact
Key Priorities (First 6 Months):
  • Take ownership of the pay transparency programme
  • Conduct a full reward diagnostic
  • Define the reward strategy and transformation roadmap
  • Build strong stakeholder relationships across the business
  • Deliver quick wins alongside longer-term change
Experience:
  • Senior Reward leader (Head of Reward or equivalent)
  • Proven experience delivering reward transformation
  • Strong expertise in pay frameworks and transparency
  • Incentives and variable pay
  • Benefits modernisation
  • Experience in complex and/or regulated environments
Skills & Capabilities:
  • Strong commercial mindset with focus on ROI
  • Ability to define strategy and execute delivery
  • Excellent stakeholder management at Exec level
  • Comfortable working within constrained budgets
Personal Attributes:
  • Resilient, pragmatic and delivery-focused
  • Comfortable operating in ambiguity
  • Strong communicator with the ability to influence at all levels
Package:

Up to £125,000 + Bonus + Car Allowance
Hybrid working - 2x a week in Peterborough

Head of Rewards in Cambridge employer: ECR Global

As a leading UK-based organisation, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of our employees. With a strong focus on modernising our people strategy, we offer a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, alongside competitive benefits such as a generous salary package, hybrid working arrangements, and opportunities for professional development. Join us in Peterborough to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a supportive environment.

ECR Global

Contact Detail:

ECR Global Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Rewards in Cambridge

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their current challenges and think about how your experience can help them navigate their transformation. Tailor your responses to show you’re the right fit for their specific needs.

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your strategic vision for reward functions and how you can lead impactful change.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Rewards in Cambridge

Reward Strategy Development
Transformation Roadmap Execution
Pay Frameworks and Transparency
Incentive and Variable Pay Design
Benefits Modernisation
Stakeholder Management
Commercial Mindset

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in reward transformation and stakeholder management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Rewards, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!

Showcase Your Strategy Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to define and deliver a reward strategy. We’re looking for someone who can balance ambition with operational constraints, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated similar challenges in the past.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and how it relates to the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our reward function!

How to prepare for a job interview at ECR Global

Know Your Reward Strategies

Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in reward strategies. Understand how to align them with business and people priorities, as this will be a key focus for the role. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in delivering successful reward transformations.

Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills

This role requires excellent stakeholder management at the executive level. Prepare examples of how you've influenced senior leaders and built strong relationships in previous roles. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and navigate complex environments.

Demonstrate Your Commercial Mindset

Be prepared to discuss how you balance ambition with cost constraints. Share specific instances where you've developed ROI-driven investment cases for reward initiatives. This will show that you understand the financial implications of your strategies.

Prepare for the Pay Transparency Programme

Since taking ownership of the pay transparency programme is a priority, think about how you would approach this challenge. Have a clear plan in mind and be ready to discuss how you would conduct a full reward diagnostic and define a transformation roadmap.