At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of a global rewards strategy from the ground up.
- Company: Join Verda, a pioneering AI cloud company focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team building a sustainable AI ecosystem.
- Why this job: Shape the future of compensation in a rapidly growing international organisation.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in Total Rewards with strong analytical and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At Verda, we're building a fully featured European AI cloud - with everything needed to train, experiment with, and deploy AI models at scale. We are a full-stack AI infrastructure company, meaning we design, operate, and optimize the compute powering modern AI workloads across training and inference. Our infrastructure runs on 100% renewable energy, helping build a more sustainable AI ecosystem.
As we continue to scale internationally, we are looking for a Head of Total Rewards to build the foundations of our global rewards function. This is not a role where you'll inherit a mature compensation team, established frameworks, and years of historical processes. Instead, you'll start with the fundamentals - creating the structures, principles, and programs that will support Verda as we grow from a few hundred employees today into a significantly larger global organization.
You will be responsible for defining how we approach compensation, benefits, equity, and rewards globally. Working closely with People, Finance, Legal and leadership teams, you will build scalable frameworks that enable us to attract, retain, and reward exceptional talent while maintaining fairness, transparency, and operational simplicity. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building from scratch, balancing strategy with execution, and creating long‑term foundations rather than simply maintaining existing programs.
Your Responsibilities
- You will define and own Verda's global Total Rewards strategy, building the compensation, benefits, and job architecture foundations that support our next phase of growth.
- You will design scalable compensation frameworks, job levels, salary bands, and governance processes that enable consistent, transparent, and data‑driven reward decisions across the company.
- You will lead compensation benchmarking and market analysis, ensuring we remain competitive while maintaining internal equity and alignment with our reward philosophy.
- You will build and evolve our global benefits offering, partnering with vendors and internal stakeholders to create programs that support employee wellbeing and business objectives.
- Working closely with Finance, Talent Acquisition, and People Operations, you will support workforce planning, budgeting, and hiring decisions through compensation analytics and market insights.
- As we expand internationally, you will shape our approach to compensation and benefits across multiple countries, balancing global consistency with local market realities.
- Finally, you will establish the systems, processes, and governance that will allow the Total Rewards function to scale alongside the business.
Your key competencies
- 8+ years of experience in Total Rewards, Compensation & Benefits, Reward Consulting, or a related field.
- Experience designing and implementing compensation frameworks in growing international organizations.
- Solid expertise in compensation benchmarking, salary structures, job architecture, leveling frameworks, equity/option schemes and benefits strategy.
- Strong analytical skills and experience working with compensation data, workforce analytics, and financial models.
- Experience partnering with senior leaders and executives on compensation and workforce decisions.
- Strong understanding of compensation governance, pay equity, and reward best practices.
- Experience working across multiple countries and compensation markets.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Builder mindset with a passion for creating scalable foundations from the ground up.
Nice to have
- Experience in a technology, cloud, AI, or scale‑up environment.
- Experience supporting organizations through periods of rapid international growth.
- Experience with equity programs, share schemes, and long‑term incentive plans.
- Familiarity with compensation platforms such as Ravio, Figures, Mercer, Radford, Pave, or similar.
- Experience leveraging AI and automation to improve reward analytics and processes.
Practicalities
- Location: Helsinki or London.
- Hybrid mode: 3 days per week in the office.
- Employment type: Full‑time and permanent.
- Reporting line: VP People.
Head of Total Rewards in London employer: Verda
At Verda, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer that champions sustainability and cutting-edge technology. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and growth, providing employees with the unique opportunity to shape the future of AI infrastructure while building a global rewards function from the ground up. With a commitment to employee wellbeing and a focus on professional development, Verda is the ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly evolving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Total Rewards 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 Verda!
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Total Rewards 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 Verda. 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 Verda 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 Verda. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Verda'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 Verda
✨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 Verda.
✨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 Verda 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 Verda and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
