At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative reward strategies that align with our unique purpose.
- Company: Join the John Lewis Partnership, a leader in retail with a strong focus on people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee recognition and drive positive change within the organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in reward strategies, team leadership, and stakeholder management required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and market responsiveness.
The predicted salary is between 71200 - 110500 £ per year.
We are looking for a Reward Lead to support John Lewis with the design and development of reward and recognition propositions that align with our unique purpose and overarching People strategy. In this role, you will act as a trusted strategic advisor, shaping reward frameworks while ensuring all solutions meet industry-leading standards and embedding robust risk and assurance frameworks to ensure the long‑term health and competitiveness of our reward offering. You will be responsible for translating complex business objectives into strategic reward outcomes that effectively balance cost, risk, and organisational impact. Beyond proposition design, you will be accountable for leading and developing a high‑performing team of Reward Managers and Specialists. Success in this position requires a blend of creative problem‑solving, highly developed analytical abilities and excellent stakeholder management skills to navigate a complex landscape. You will collaborate closely with teams across the People function to support our brands and shared capabilities with reward related work which makes a difference to our Partners and our customers.
Salary - £71,200 - £110,500
Contract type - Temporary until January 2027
Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home. This role will support John Lewis and is likely to require on average 1 or 2 days a week in the office to connect and collaborate, primarily in Pimlico, although travel to other locations may be required for example for our regular team or ad hoc meetings. This role will not be offered on a fully remote basis.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and development of reward and recognition propositions, aligning them with the Partnership's purpose and contributing to the overarching People strategy.
- Identify the impact of the Partnership plan and People strategy on reward and recognition, developing a responsive workplan.
- Act as the Reward expert for your specific business area (PL10-PL5), maintaining a deep understanding of client groups' reward needs to inform strategic solutions.
- Effectively engage stakeholders across the organisation, fostering cross‑functional collaboration and championing propositions with senior teams to advocate for change.
- Accountable for embedding robust risk and assurance frameworks within all reward processes and propositions.
- Stay abreast of legal and regulatory changes, collaborating with the Employment Legal Team to ensure compliance.
- Lead, inspire, and develop a team of reward professionals, setting strategic direction and prioritising their activities to ensure timely and high‑quality outcomes.
- Set clear team direction and outcomes, with a customer‑centric approach, and ensure Partner opinions are heard and taken into consideration.
- Utilise your external network to ensure the team proactively monitors and responds to market developments, building strong market knowledge.
- Be confident presenting to and responding to feedback from various audiences on reward and recognition.
- Work closely with our democratic and leadership teams to ensure Partners understand what, why and how we develop our reward offer in the Partnership.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
- Deep understanding of reward strategies and experience of developing reward propositions.
- Experience of managing an annual compensation review process.
- Experience leading a team.
- Good knowledge and understanding of the HR lifecycle.
- Proven experience of partnering senior stakeholders.
- Data and analytical skills.
Reward Lead in City of Westminster employer: John Lewis Partnership
Contact Detail:
John Lewis Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Reward Lead in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at John Lewis Partnership on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost our chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. We want to show that we’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the team. Tailor our answers to reflect how we align with their purpose and People strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with us. This helps us articulate our experience and skills confidently, especially when discussing our understanding of reward strategies and stakeholder management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through the JLP Jobs website! It’s the official channel, and we want to make sure our application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Reward Lead in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Reward Lead role. Highlight your experience in developing reward strategies and managing teams, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong data and analytical skills, don’t forget to include examples of how you've used these in past roles. We want to see how you can translate complex business objectives into strategic outcomes.
Engage with Stakeholders: Demonstrate your experience in stakeholder management. Share specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with senior teams or cross-functional groups, as this is key to thriving in our environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through the JLP Jobs website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and shows us you're serious about joining our team at John Lewis Partnership.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis Partnership
✨Know Your Reward Strategies
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and best practices in reward strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you would align these with John Lewis's unique purpose and People strategy. Showing that you understand the nuances of reward propositions will set you apart.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, come ready with examples of how you've used data to inform reward decisions in the past. Think about specific metrics or outcomes that demonstrate your impact, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Prepare to talk about your experience in stakeholder management. Have a few stories ready that illustrate how you've successfully engaged with senior teams and fostered collaboration across functions. This will highlight your ability to navigate complex landscapes.
✨Lead with Confidence
As you'll be leading a team, it's crucial to convey your leadership style. Share examples of how you've inspired and developed your team in previous roles. Emphasise your customer-centric approach and how you ensure that team opinions are valued and considered.