At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new Compensation & Benefits Centre of Excellence and shape modern reward strategies.
- Company: Join Forterro, a dynamic company focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for strategic influence and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global compensation strategies and employee wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Director-level experience in Compensation & Benefits, ideally in international software organisations.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
As Director of Compensation & Benefits, you will build and lead a new Compensation & Benefits Centre of Excellence, shaping a modern, high-impact reward function that enables Forterro’s growth ambitions. You will play a leading role in the implementation of the EU Pay Transparency framework, ensuring our approach to reward is fair, forward-looking, compliant, and aligned with market expectations across our international organisation. This is a pivotal role in defining a total rewards strategy across EMEA and APAC that is competitive, equitable, and closely connected to our unified business goals.
Working closely with People Operations, Talent & Growth, senior People Business Partners, Finance, and functional leaders, you will create data-driven, market-aligned compensation and benefits frameworks that strengthen attraction, retention, and engagement. You will also lead on reward governance and play an important role in M&A integration, equity management, and senior leadership compensation, bringing strategic insight, commercial rigour, and clarity to every aspect of the reward agenda.
Responsibilities- Establish and lead a new Compensation & Benefits Centre of Excellence, building the core reward frameworks, governance, and operating foundations needed to support Forterro’s next phase of growth.
- Shape and embed a scalable compensation and benefits strategy following a period of significant acquisition activity, bringing greater consistency, transparency, and cohesion across the organisation.
- Create the strategic reward foundations that enable future growth platforms, including job architecture, pay structures, governance standards, and a clear total rewards philosophy.
- Lead the implementation of key strategic reward agendas, including EU Pay Transparency requirements, ensuring a fair, modern, and compliant reward approach across multiple jurisdictions.
- Act as the strategic reward partner to executive and functional leadership, advising on competitiveness, pay equity, affordability, and the reward implications of business transformation.
- Lead the global annual compensation review cycles, including merit, market adjustment, bonus, and promotion planning.
- Partner with the Talent & Growth team to apply job architecture frameworks, conduct market benchmarking, and maintain salary banding supported by robust data and insights, with support from People Operations where required.
- Develop and manage reward governance policies and compensation compliance practices, including gender pay, market reporting, transparency, and disclosure requirements.
- Lead the evaluation, design, and governance of global and local employee benefit programs, including pensions, insurance, and wellbeing offerings.
- Partner with Local & Functional Business Partners to ensure benefit offerings are competitive, unified, costed and compliant in all jurisdictions.
- Develop wellbeing strategies that support holistic employee health and align to company values and culture.
- Generate actionable compensation and benefits insights for senior stakeholders through the use of market intelligence, internal reward data, and external benchmarking, supporting informed and commercially grounded decision-making.
- Provide analytical leadership for key strategic priorities, including pay transparency, pay equity, job architecture, and reward governance, ensuring data integrity and clear insight to support policy and decision-making.
- Lead compensation-related input into HRIS, workforce planning, and organisational design initiatives, ensuring reward data and structures are aligned to broader people and business transformation programmes.
- Develop high-quality dashboards, reporting, and insight packs that enable leaders to monitor reward performance, assess competitiveness, and make evidence-based decisions at scale.
- Proven director-level experience in Compensation & Benefits or related reward roles, ideally within matrixed, international Software or SaaS organisations.
- Deep knowledge of EMEA & APAC compensation practices, benefits design, and relevant employment legislation across multiple jurisdictions.
- Experience operating within a Centre of Excellence model, ideally in a global business that is evolving through growth or rapid acquisition.
- Strong analytical capability and commercial acumen, with the ability to use data and insight to inform decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience in job architecture, market benchmarking, salary banding, and annual reward cycle management.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, with familiarity in HRIS platforms and reward analytics tools.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders across functions, geographies, and cultures.
- In addition to English, a proficiency in one or more of the following languages would be desirable but is not essential; French, German, Polish.
- Strategic and commercially minded, with the ability to operate hands-on and deliver through complexity in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- A credible and influential partner who can engage senior leaders, build trust quickly, and challenge constructively across functions, geographies, and cultures.
- Strong analytical judgement, able to translate data, reward principles, and technical detail into clear, practical guidance that supports business decisions.
- Comfortable balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery, managing multiple demands independently while maintaining high standards and sound judgement.
Director, Compensation & Benefits in London employer: Forterro
Forterro is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where innovation and collaboration are at the forefront of our mission. As the Director of Compensation & Benefits, you will have the unique opportunity to shape a modern reward function that not only aligns with our ambitious growth plans but also prioritises employee wellbeing and equitable practices across EMEA and APAC. With a strong commitment to professional development and a supportive environment, Forterro empowers its employees to thrive and make a meaningful impact in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Compensation & Benefits in London
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Forterro!
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If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Forterro.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Compensation & Benefits in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Forterro. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Forterro and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Forterro. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Forterro's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forterro
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Forterro.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Forterro will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Forterro and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
