At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and modernise the reward strategy while advising senior leaders on pay and benefits.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on people operations and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Holiday buy scheme, annual bonus, generous discounts, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Exciting career pathways and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of reward in a fast-paced environment with real impact.
- Qualifications: Deep reward expertise, strong commercial awareness, and proven leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a senior reward leader to be part of the People Operations leadership team and own our reward strategy and delivery. You’ll bring deep expertise in pay, benefits and job architecture, and think beyond reward to how it integrates with payroll, people services, finance and operations. You’ll lead a small team of Reward Partners, report to the Director of People Operations, and work closely with Payroll, People Services, Finance and senior leaders across the business.
Why this role is different
This isn’t a steady‑state role. The foundations are in place, but there is real opportunity to modernise, simplify and better connect reward across a complex, fast‑paced business. You’ll have genuine influence in shaping how reward supports wider people and commercial priorities. The role sits within the People Operations leadership team and offers the chance to progress and broaden your impact over time.
What you’ll be doing
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders on pay, bonus, benefits and job architecture, shaping decisions rather than merely responding.
- Own key reward cycles – pay review, bonus and benefits – delivered on time, on budget and aligned to business priorities.
- Partner with Finance on cost modelling, forecasting and budgeting to ensure reward decisions are commercially sound.
- Turn strategy into delivery through clear policies, practical processes and communications that land across the business.
- Use data and insight to inform decisions, identify opportunities and tell a clear story.
- Lead and develop your team to deliver consistently and at pace.
- Modernise reward through improved processes, systems (including Workday) and automation.
- Contribute to broader direction across reward and people operations.
- Act as the reward SME for REMCO papers and keep the organisation ahead of regulatory changes and best practice.
We’re open to candidates at different stages
Whether you’re a senior reward manager ready to step up into your first Head of role, or an established Head of Reward looking for a new challenge, we’re interested in your experience.
What matters most is that you bring
- Deep reward expertise, but with a broader perspective beyond pure reward.
- A systems thinker who connects reward with payroll, people services and finance.
- Strong commercial awareness – you balance cost with employee value and make sound decisions.
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and building credibility quickly.
- Operational strength – you manage detail and deliver consistently.
- Proven people leadership experience and a track record of developing others.
- A data‑driven and curious approach, using insight to improve outcomes.
- Experience working in or alongside people operations, payroll, HR operations or HR partnering is a real plus.
- Experience working with frontline, NMW/NLW populations in retail, hospitality, leisure or similar sectors – you understand what reward looks like at scale.
What can we offer you?
- Holiday Buy Scheme
- Annual bonus
- Generous discounts on Haven and Warner Hotels holiday for you, family and friends
- Comprehensive wellbeing support
- Access to the Bourne Leisure corporate box at the O2 Arena, London
- Exclusive discounts with corporate partners
- Exciting career pathways, including Learning and Development opportunities such as Apprenticeships and Degrees
- Enhanced family friendly policies and pay (eligibility criteria applied)
- Holiday allowance that rises with service
We invest in our leaders and create space for people to grow. Where that takes you depends on what you bring and where your ambitions lie. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments or flexibility you may require.
Head of Reward - Hertfordshire employer: Haven Holidays
Contact Detail:
Haven Holidays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Reward - Hertfordshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. The more people know you’re on the hunt, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their reward strategy and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as someone who’s not just looking for any job, but is genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when it’s time to shine in front of the real interview panel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Reward - Hertfordshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in reward strategy and delivery. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior role, we’re keen to see your people leadership experience. Share examples of how you’ve developed teams and influenced senior stakeholders. This is your chance to shine, so let us know how you’ve made an impact!
Be Data-Driven: We love a good story backed by data! Use insights from your previous roles to demonstrate how you’ve used data to inform decisions and improve outcomes. It’s all about showing us your analytical side.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haven Holidays
✨Know Your Reward Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's current reward strategy. Understand how it integrates with payroll and finance, and think about how you can modernise and simplify these processes. Be ready to discuss specific ideas on how to enhance their reward offerings.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Since this role requires a data-driven approach, prepare examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Bring insights that demonstrate your ability to identify opportunities and tell a compelling story with data.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
This position involves influencing senior leaders, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think of scenarios where you've successfully built credibility and influenced decisions, and be ready to share those experiences.
✨Demonstrate People Leadership
As you'll be leading a team of Reward Partners, highlight your leadership style and how you've developed others in the past. Prepare to discuss your approach to team management and how you ensure consistent delivery at pace.