At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the reward strategy and ensure competitive pay and benefits for our team.
- Company: Join South West Water, a purpose-driven organisation committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus scheme, healthcare benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on inclusion and diversity.
- Why this job: Shape employee experiences and make a real impact in a vital service sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in reward management and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes. We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future.
Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Reward Lead (11-Month FTC Maternity Cover)
Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 + Benefits
Location: Exeter or Bristol (with regular travel to Exeter if Bristol-based)
Help Shape the Future of Reward at South West Water. Behind every great organisation are people who feel valued, recognised, and inspired to do their best work. At South West Water, we’re on a journey to deliver trusted services to the communities we serve while creating an exceptional employee experience for our people.
As we continue to evolve, we’re looking for an experienced Reward Lead to join our People & Culture team on an 11-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. This is more than a reward role. It’s an opportunity to influence how we attract, engage and retain talent across a business that provides an essential service to millions of customers across the South West.
The Opportunity: As our Reward Lead, you’ll be the driving force behind our reward strategy, ensuring our pay, benefits and recognition programmes are competitive, fair and aligned to our values and business goals. You’ll partner with senior leaders across the organisation, providing expert advice on all aspects of reward while helping to create a workplace where people can thrive.
A key part of the role will be leading our job evaluation and grading approach, including applying WTW methodologies, maintaining grading frameworks and supporting organisational design and workforce planning initiatives.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading the delivery of South West Water's reward agenda and annual reward activities
- Managing salary reviews, benchmarking and compensation frameworks
- Providing expert guidance on reward policy, pay governance and market trends
- Leading job evaluation and grading activities using WTW methodologies
- Supporting organisational change, role design and workforce planning projects
- Analysing reward data and delivering insights to inform business decisions
- Partnering with senior stakeholders to drive fair, transparent and competitive reward practices
- Championing pay equity, employee experience and continuous improvement
What We’re Looking For: We’re Keen To Hear From Reward Professionals Who Bring:
- Significant reward and compensation experience within a complex organisation
- Strong job evaluation and grading expertise, ideally using WTW Global Grading System (GGS)
- Experience managing reward frameworks, salary benchmarking and annual reward cycles
- Excellent analytical and commercial thinking skills
- The confidence to influence and build relationships at all levels
- A passion for creating fair, engaging and future-focused reward solutions
Why South West Water? Every day, our teams work together to deliver one of life’s most essential services. In return, we’re committed to creating an environment where our people feel empowered, supported and able to make a real difference.
This role can be based in Exeter or Bristol. If based in Bristol, you’ll regularly connect with colleagues in Exeter, giving you the opportunity to build strong relationships and remain close to the heart of our business.
If you’re an experienced reward professional looking for your next challenge and want to play a key role in shaping the employee experience within a purpose-driven organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
You’ll Enjoy:
- Competitive Salary – Based on experience and skills
- Company car or car allowance - Supporting your travel and mobility needs
- Bonus Scheme – Rewarding your performance
- Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future
- Healthcare Benefits – Access to employee assistance programs
- Professional Development – Support for career growth with training opportunities
- Employee Discounts – On various products and services
- Generous Annual Leave – Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement
Closing Date: 5th August 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
We look after the water and wastewater services for 1.8 million customers across Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Dorset and Somerset. From treatment and maintenance, to innovation and improvements, we’re busy every day finding and fixing leaks, unblocking sewers and going bigger and further in our environmental work to be a company you can be proud of.
Reward Lead employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and sustainability. Our employees benefit from opportunities for personal and professional growth, alongside the chance to contribute to meaningful environmental initiatives in one of the UK's most beautiful regions. Join us in making a difference while enjoying a fulfilling career in the water sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reward Lead
✨Get Your Foot in the Door with Temp Agencies
Temporary roles in HR are often filled through agencies. Reach out to temp agencies that specialise in HR placements. They can help you find gigs quickly and give you a chance to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.
✨Network at HR Events and Workshops
Dive into local HR events, workshops, and seminars. These are great opportunities to meet professionals already in the field and might lead to temporary positions. Be sure to have a chat, exchange contacts, and express your interest in on-the-spot opportunities!
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
In the temporary HR world, being adaptable is key. When you're networking or interviewing, highlight your ability to quickly learn and fill diverse roles, from recruitment to employee onboarding. Make it clear that you’re ready to dive in at any time!
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out the opportunities at South West Water and apply directly via our website. This way, you can express your interest in temporary roles and get ahead in the application process!
We think you need these skills to ace Reward Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your People Skills:In HR, showcasing your interpersonal skills is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you have dealing with talent management, resolving conflicts, or facilitating workshops. We want to see your ability to connect with others!
Tailor Your CV to HR:Use HR-specific language in your CV and cover letter. Mention any specific HR tools, software, or methodologies you’re familiar with, like ATS systems or performance management frameworks. This will show that you’re not just a good fit, but you've got the know-how to back it up!
Emphasise Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, emphasising your adaptability and willingness to learn quickly is crucial. Include examples of how you've successfully jumped into new environments before or handled sudden changes in previous jobs. We love a team player who can hit the ground running!
Availability Matters:In your application, make sure to clarify your availability and commitment to the temporary position. This will help us understand when you can start and how you fit into our plans at South West Water. So, don’t be shy about laying it all out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary HR role at South West Water, it's crucial to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to adapt quickly. You might be thrown into new projects or systems, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in past roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HR Tools
Many HR positions require familiarity with tools like HRIS or ATS systems. Before the interview, brush up on the specific software that South West Water uses—if you see any mentioned in the job posting, make sure you're ready to discuss them and your experience with similar tools.
✨Your Motivation Matters
As a temp, it's essential to convey your motivation for this role. Employers often look for candidates who are not just filling a position, but who are genuinely keen on contributing effectively in a short period. Consider sharing why you’re passionate about HR and how you see yourself adding value at South West Water.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
HR interviews often include situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about common HR challenges, like dealing with conflict or managing onboarding efficiently, and prepare to discuss how you would handle these situations at South West Water.
