Reward Specialist in Leeds, Yorkshire

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

We offer a salary from £46,368 - £57,960 per annum depending on experience.

• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the Reward Specialist progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• A great benefits package choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we are moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in Summer 2026, so you will be based there in the future, with a hybrid working arrangement in place, a mix of office and home working.

This is a permanent position. You will be working full time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday within a working window of 8:00am-6:00pm.

What will the role involve? You will be required to proactively support the reward team in the delivery of their objectives and goals by researching reward topics, analysing data and providing first line advice and guidance to colleagues/managers and our HR business partners on reward and recognition matters. You will provide analytical support on reward matters and the execution of relevant policies and processes. You will develop policies and practices that support the organisation's people strategy, delivering projects that support the wider Reward strategy, analysing pay and benefits both within and outside of the organisation.

Some of the main responsibilities are:

• Analyse internal and external reward data to identify trends, issues and opportunities, providing clear insights to support decision-making.
• Manage the annual reward cycle, including pay and bonus reviews.
• Lead all participation in market pay and benefits benchmarking analysis which includes inputting into compensation surveys.
• Conduct internal and external salary benchmarking for new and existing roles, providing insight on pay positioning against market to inform pay decisions, working closely with HR Business Partners.
• Produce and analyse data (internal and external) and provide reports to identify trends and issues to drive change and support reward activities.
• Support the design and maintenance of pay structures, pay ranges and job evaluation frameworks and practices to help further evolve our job architecture framework.
• Lead and participate in job evaluation panel discussions and assess and evaluate roles in line with the grading methodology.
• Support equal pay analysis, reward risk assessments and monitoring of gender pay and reward trends.
• Support other colleagues in the team on colleague recognition.
• Support other colleagues in the team on colleague benefits.
• Manage relationships with third party reward providers.
• Support the team in clear reward communications to improve employee understanding of pay and benefits.
• Act as reward subject matter expert to HR Business Partners and managers.
• Identify opportunities to improve reward processes, systems and governance.
• Support implementation and ongoing use of HR systems, including SAP SuccessFactors compensation.

What skills are we looking for?

• CIPD qualified or equivalent degree qualification
• Excellent MS Excel skills
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills
• Experience of producing and interpreting complex people data, and the ability to make recommendations
• Excellent knowledge of reward policies and processes
• Good knowledge of HR systems with the ability to produce accurate reporting
• Good knowledge of job evaluation methodology
• Ability to work collaboratively with Senior Stakeholders and other HR teams
• Ability to have challenging and difficult conversations in a constructive and sensitive manner
• A can-do attitude and the desire to make things better

It would be beneficial if you had the following:

• Project Management experience

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it's important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn't always easy!

If you've got experience in Reward and HR and want to help us deliver our People Reward strategy then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

If this sounds like you and you're interested in this exciting opportunity, then please complete the online application process and submit a covering letter and CV outlining your suitability for the role.

Recruitment Process Closing date 20th March, 2026. If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. No agencies please.