HEAD OF TOTAL REWARDS

HEAD OF TOTAL REWARDS

London Full-Time 54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global compensation, benefits, and wellness strategies to enhance employee experience.
  • Company: Join The Travel Corporation, a century-old leader in creating enriching travel experiences worldwide.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, inclusive benefits, and a commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
  • Why this job: Shape impactful rewards programs while collaborating with executives in a dynamic, diverse environment.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in Total Rewards leadership; advanced degree and certifications preferred.
  • Other info: We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive workplace.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.

Job Description

HEAD OF TOTAL REWARDS – Join Our Team!

ABOUT US

Our philosophy at The Travel Corporation (TTC) is simple, we create enriching experiences for travelers by combining an unbeatable mix of exceptional service and quality at great value. As a global business with over 100 years of experience in the travel industry, our ethos of being ‘Driven by Service’ ensures we keep our values of passion, people and purpose at the heart of everything we do – designing and running immersive, innovative and responsible travel experiences for our guests across 70 countries. Join us in creating life-changing moments for every guest across our award-winning brands and experience the TTC difference.

OUR VALUES

  • Driven by service
  • An inherent passion for travel
  • Commitment to our customers and to our people
  • Commitment to corporate social responsibility and our 5-year sustainability strategy

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head of Total Rewards is responsible for the global strategy, design, and governance of all compensation, benefits, wellness, equity, and recognition programs. This role ensures Total Rewards programs are competitive, equitable, scalable, and aligned with organizational values, DEI priorities, and business goals. The Head of Total Rewards partners cross-functionally with executive leadership, People & Culture, Finance, and external vendors to create a holistic and future-ready total rewards experience for a diverse global workforce.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

COMPENSATION AND EQUITY STRATEGY

  • Set and maintain the global compensation philosophy, ensuring alignment with business goals and talent strategy.
  • Conduct regular compensation analysis including salary benchmarking, review of benefits, and other market trends to ensure TTC’s offerings aligns with industry standards and strategic priorities.
  • Plan and execute annual pay review.
  • Oversee incentive plans, management bonus scheme and other executive compensation programs.

GLOBAL BENEFITS LEADERSHIP

  • Design and govern benefits offerings across regions, ensuring inclusivity, legal compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Lead vendor selection and contract negotiations, with a focus on optimising service and value.

RECOGNITION AND WELLNESS STATEGIES

  • Define the global wellness strategy to support physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
  • Ensure consistency in approach while allowing for local flexibility across regions.
  • Integrate wellness into the overall Total Rewards and engagement strategies.
  • Design and oversee global and regional recognition strategies that reflect organizational values.
  • Ensure programs support engagement, performance, and DEI objectives.

GOVERNANCE, ANALYTICS, AND COMPLIANCE

  • Establish KPIs for total rewards programs and oversee performance tracking across all offerings.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation and maintain readiness for internal or external audits.
  • Lead reporting to executive stakeholders and, where relevant, compensation committees.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION

  • Partner with senior executives, P&C Directors, Finance, and Legal to align Total Rewards with broader organisational goals.
  • Lead and develop the Total Rewards team to deliver high-quality, compliant, and impactful programs.

ROLE SUCCESS CRITERIA

  • Compensation competitiveness: assessed on ensuring compensation programs are market-aligned and support attraction and retention strategies.
  • Benefits administration: assessed on oversight of accurate, efficient, and employee-friendly global benefits delivery.
  • Employee engagement alignment: assessed on the alignment of Total Rewards offerings with company values, culture, and employee engagement drivers.
  • Regulatory compliance: assessed on ensuring TR programs are fully compliant with pay equity, benefits legislation, and audit requirements across all operating regions.
  • Cost management: assessed on maintaining TR program spend within budget while ensuring competitiveness and program quality.
  • Program evaluation & effectiveness: assessed on regular evaluation of TR programs to ensure they meet business and employee needs.
  • Data analysis & decision support: assessed on use of TR data to guide executive decisions and inform strategic recommendations.
  • Collaboration & strategic partnership: assessed on ability to align TR initiatives with HRBPs, Talent, Finance, and business strategy.
  • Talent attraction & retention support: assessed on how well TR programs support employer brand and reduce turnover risk.
  • Program communication & education: assessed on the clarity and accessibility of TR communications for employees and leaders

KEY INDIVIDUAL TRAITS

Attention to detail: Carefully reviews work to ensure accuracy, quality, and completeness. Adheres to rules and procedures.

Collaborative: Builds strong relationships and works cross-functionally with a consultative, co-creative approach to influence and align others in a fast-paced environment.

Curiosity: Driven by lifelong learning, actively seeks new knowledge, skills, and perspectives to enhance performance and personal growth. Embraces continuous learning as a core value.

YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

  • 5+ Years of Progressive Total Rewards Experience: A minimum of 5 years in compensation, benefits, and equity program leadership, with at least 3 years in a senior or head of Total Rewards role overseeing global strategy and execution across multiple regions.
  • Advanced Degree and Certifications: A bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field is required; a master’s degree and professional certifications such as CCP (Certified Compensation Professional), CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist), or SPHR are strongly preferred.
  • Global Total Rewards Expertise: Proven experience designing and managing compensation, equity, benefits, and wellness programs across diverse international geographies, with a strong grasp of global compliance (e.g., pay transparency laws, equity audits, local labor regulations).
  • Executive-Level Collaboration and Influence: Demonstrated success partnering with C-suite executives, Boards, and compensation committees to shape strategy, gain buy-in, and report on KPIs; must be skilled at translating complex data into strategic insights.
  • Systems, Analytics, and Governance Proficiency: Deep experience using compensation tools, HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors), and analytics dashboards to drive data-informed decision-making, along with strong governance, audit readiness, and change management capabilities.

The Travel Corporation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We not only encourage and support diversity in the workplace, we celebrate it! If you feel you have the skills and experience to thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment, we want to hear from you.

HEAD OF TOTAL REWARDS employer: The Travel Corporation

At The Travel Corporation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values passion, people, and purpose. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with ample opportunities for growth and development in the dynamic travel industry. With a commitment to corporate social responsibility and a focus on employee wellbeing, we offer competitive compensation and benefits that align with our mission of creating enriching experiences for both our guests and our team members.
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Contact Detail:

The Travel Corporation Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land HEAD OF TOTAL REWARDS

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the Total Rewards field, especially those who have experience in global compensation and benefits. Attend industry conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends and best practices.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with The Travel Corporation's values and mission. Tailor your conversations and interactions to reflect how your experience aligns with their commitment to service, sustainability, and employee engagement.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with data analysis and governance in Total Rewards. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used data to inform strategic decisions and improve programme effectiveness in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your collaborative skills by highlighting past experiences where you successfully partnered with senior executives or cross-functional teams. Emphasise your ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders towards common goals.

We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF TOTAL REWARDS

Total Rewards Strategy Development
Compensation Analysis and Benchmarking
Benefits Design and Administration
Wellness Program Development
Vendor Management and Negotiation
Regulatory Compliance Knowledge
Data Analysis and Reporting
Executive Collaboration and Influence
Project Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Attention to Detail
Strong Communication Skills
Change Management
Curiosity and Continuous Learning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in total rewards, compensation, and benefits. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you meet the specific requirements of the Head of Total Rewards position.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the travel industry and how your values align with those of The Travel Corporation. Highlight your experience in global total rewards strategy and your ability to collaborate with executive leadership.

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your previous roles, focus on quantifiable achievements related to compensation analysis, benefits design, and employee engagement. This will help illustrate your impact and effectiveness in similar positions.

Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with global compliance, data analysis, and collaboration with C-suite executives. Prepare examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking in total rewards.

How to prepare for a job interview at The Travel Corporation

✨Understand the Company Values

Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand The Travel Corporation's values, especially their commitment to service and sustainability. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of creating enriching travel experiences.

✨Showcase Your Global Experience

Given the global nature of the Head of Total Rewards role, highlight your experience in managing compensation and benefits across different regions. Share specific examples of how you've navigated diverse compliance landscapes and tailored programs to meet local needs while maintaining a cohesive strategy.

✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions

This role requires a strong analytical mindset. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Prepare examples of KPIs you've established and how you've tracked the effectiveness of total rewards programs, as well as any insights you've gained from data analysis.

✨Demonstrate Collaborative Leadership

The Head of Total Rewards will need to work closely with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss your experience in leading cross-functional teams and how you've successfully influenced executive leadership. Highlight your consultative approach and provide examples of how you've built strong relationships to drive strategic initiatives.

HEAD OF TOTAL REWARDS
The Travel Corporation
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