Lead - Reward Strategy

Job purpose

The Reward Strategy Lead is responsible for driving the development, redesign and implementation of the Agency's pay and reward strategy, ensuring it supports organisational priorities, workforce needs and public sector governance requirements.

The role provides expert reward insight and knowledge, to inform evidence-based decision-making, manage risk and maintain a fair, transparent and competitive reward proposition.

Working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders including as senior leaders, Trade Unions, the Board, Finance and external advisers, the role leads reward engagement, consultation and negotiation activity, ensuring reward frameworks, policies and practices are aligned, integrated and effectively embedded across the Agency.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and Total Reward expertise to inform the Agencys mid-term pay and reward strategy
• Conduct and commission associated pay research, modelling and benchmarking to shape evidence-based recommendations that mitigate pay and reward related risks and are aligned with the Agencys strategic priorities
• Ensure that principles of equality, inclusion, and transparency are designed into pay strategy in line with pay principles of affordability, fairness and competitiveness
• Partner with senior management, trade union representatives, colleagues, the Board, and professional advisors on pay engagement, negotiations and workforce consultation
• Drive the integration of pay and reward strategy within related systems, pay and reward policies and practices
• Adhere to established HR practices, procedures, and policies with specific consideration of pay remit and cabinet office spend control requirements.
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve reward frameworks, governance arrangements, policies, procedures and systems to ensure compliant, efficient and consistent delivery.
• Provide expert analysis, modelling and recommendations on complex reward matters, balancing affordability, competitiveness, equality, risk and organisational priorities.
• Deliver reward-related engagement, consultation and negotiation activity, fostering effective relationships with executive stakeholders, trade unions, government departments and external advisers.
• Provide professional leadership and technical expertise across reward, supporting informed decision-making, capability development and the consistent application of reward frameworks and policies.

Key skills, knowledge and experience

• Membership of a relevant professional body (CIPP, CIPD or equivalent), supported by a relevant degree or the ability to demonstrate equivalent professional experience.
• Deep expertise in the design, development and implementation of pay and reward strategies, frameworks and governance arrangements, with a strong understanding of the public sector reward environment.
• Proven track record of leading reward transformation, delivering strategic reward initiatives and embedding sustainable reward frameworks within a public sector organisation.
• Proven ability to influence strategic decision-making through analysis, modelling, benchmarking and evidence-based recommendations.
• Significant experience of leading stakeholder engagement activity, including consultation, negotiation and implementation across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with experience of engaging senior leaders, Boards, trade unions, government departments, legal providers, and external providers.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex priorities and translate complex reward issues into practical organisational solutions.