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- Tasks: Lead and evolve the total reward strategy for a top retailer.
- Company: Join a leading, recognisable retailer with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £130k, car, bonus, and hybrid work.
- Why this job: Shape impactful reward strategies that attract and engage top talent.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience in reward and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence culture and performance in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 78000 - 182000 £ per year.
We’re partnering with a leading, highly recognisable retailer to appoint an exceptional Head of Total Reward to lead and evolve their reward strategy within a high-performance, people-first culture. This is a pivotal senior leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering a market-leading total reward proposition that attracts, retains, and engages top talent across a complex, customer-centric organisation.
As Head of Total Reward, you’ll have end-to-end ownership of reward, compensation, benefits, recognition, and organisation design frameworks. Working closely with Executive leadership, Finance, HR, and wider stakeholders, you’ll ensure reward strategies are fair, transparent, data-led, and closely aligned to business and people objectives. You’ll play a key role in embedding a performance-driven reward philosophy that supports growth, transformation, and long-term success.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and execution of a comprehensive total reward strategy aligned to commercial and people priorities
- Ensure reward approaches are evidence-based, commercially sound, and deliver clear ROI
- Partner with HR technology teams to deliver robust reward systems and tools
- Act as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on reward-related decisions
- Design and manage competitive, equitable pay structures across all levels
- Lead market benchmarking, salary review cycles, and variable pay schemes (including bonus and LTIP)
- Oversee benefits strategy, platforms, brokers, and providers to deliver strong colleague value
- Ensure compliance with UK pay governance, including gender pay gap reporting
- Provide governance and insight to Executive and Remuneration Committees
Recognition
- Own and evolve the organisation’s recognition strategy to drive engagement and appreciation
- Lead flagship colleague recognition events and initiatives
- Drive innovation in non-financial reward across a diverse workforce
- Lead organisation design initiatives supporting transformation and workforce planning
- Own role architecture, grading, and job evaluation frameworks
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on organisational effectiveness
- Lead and develop a high-performing Total Reward and Organisation Design team
- Partner closely with HR leadership, Finance, Talent, and business stakeholders
- Champion inclusion, engagement, and colleague development across the function
About You
You’ll be a commercially astute, forward-thinking reward leader with a strong passion for people and performance. You’ll bring:
- Proven experience in a senior Reward leadership role within a complex organisation
- Deep expertise in UK compensation, benefits, recognition, and pay governance
- Experience leading organisation design and structural change initiatives
- Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data into strategic insight
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including at Executive and Board level
- A proactive mindset with the ability to balance strategy and operational delivery
This is a rare opportunity to shape reward strategy at scale within a high-profile retailer undergoing ongoing evolution and transformation. You’ll have real influence, strong executive exposure, and the chance to leave a lasting impact on culture and performance.
Head of Rewards employer: FG Recruitment
Contact Detail:
FG Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Rewards
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the retail sector, especially those in HR or rewards roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s current reward strategies. Show us you understand their culture and how you can enhance it. Tailor your examples to demonstrate your expertise in shaping total reward propositions.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage! When you submit your application through our website, follow up with a quick email to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss data-driven insights during interviews. We want to see how you can leverage analytics to shape reward strategies. Bring examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Rewards
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Rewards role. Highlight your experience in reward strategy, compensation, and benefits, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and stakeholder management expertise.
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 your background aligns with the company’s people-first culture. Be sure to mention any relevant achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As this is a senior leadership position, make sure to highlight your experience leading teams and driving organisational change. Share specific examples of how you've shaped reward strategies and engaged stakeholders at all levels.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at FG Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Total Reward, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key metrics related to compensation and benefits, and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive strategic decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in shaping reward strategies. Think about how you've aligned these strategies with business objectives and how they’ve contributed to organisational success. Be ready to discuss your approach to balancing strategy with operational delivery.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role requires excellent stakeholder management skills. Prepare to talk about how you've collaborated with senior leaders and other departments in the past. Consider specific instances where your input influenced key decisions or improved processes.
✨Emphasise Inclusion and Engagement
Given the focus on a people-first culture, be prepared to discuss your views on inclusion and engagement within reward strategies. Share any initiatives you've led that fostered a positive workplace culture and how you measure their success.
