EMEA Senior Reward Manager

VML; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Senior Reward Manager to join their EMEA People team. This role involves strategic advising on reward strategies, collaborating on bonus models, and managing reward cycles across multiple countries. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, leveraging their expertise to attract and retain talent. With a hybrid work approach, this position offers flexibility while fostering collaboration and connection among teams. Join a company that values diversity and creativity, contributing to a culture of respect and belonging.

Qualifications

• Experience managing reward cycles across multiple countries.
• Ability to build trusted partnerships quickly.

Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic advisor to CPOs, HRBPs, and CFOs on reward strategy.
• Support management of short-term and long-term incentive plans.

Skills

Senior stakeholder management

Building trusted partnerships

Cultural sensitivity

Managing reward cycles

Modeling bonus outcomes

Data analysis

Salary surveys familiarity

Job leveling methodologies

Benefits management

Advanced Excel skills

Tools

Workday

Job description

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Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.

Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Who we're looking for:

We are seeking a Senior Reward Manager to work within our EMEA People team. Reporting to the EMEA Total Rewards Director, you will focus on strategic projects and partnering the business, alongside cyclical compensation activities. You should be an experienced Senior Reward Manager comfortable working in a fluid environment where some structures are not yet in place.

What you'll be doing:

• Act as a strategic advisor & partner to CPOs, HRBPs, and CFOs across the region, advising on reward strategy to attract and retain talent.
• Provide salary benchmarks and package recommendations to Talent Acquisition for senior hires.
• Collaborate with the Total Reward Director on new bonus & commission models.
• Partner with Reward colleagues globally & within WPP on projects, including the EU Pay Transparency project.
• Work with acquired businesses during their earn-out period to ensure smooth transition to WT ways.
• Review benefits offerings across the region to align with WT Global People Strategy and maximize available benefits.
• Advise on mobility matters such as remote working, transfers, and distributed working cases.
• Collaborate with Finance on reward implications of new operating procedures.
• Work with markets to improve benchmark data availability and use.

Cylical & Regular Reward Activities:

• Support the management of short-term incentive plans, stock-based long-term incentive plans, and salary increase processes.
• Provide data analysis and insights for reward decisions, including gender and ethnicity pay calculations, salary reviews, and bonuses.
• Manage approval processes for senior hires, counter-offers, and out-of-cycle increases.
• Assist with day-to-day reward activities as needed.

What you'll need:

• Senior stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to build trusted partnerships quickly.
• Cultural sensitivity and experience working across countries.
• Experience managing reward cycles across multiple countries.
• Experience with modeling bonus outcomes and manipulating large data sets.
• Familiarity with salary surveys (e.g., Mercer, Radford, WTW).
• Understanding of job leveling/evaluation methodologies.
• Experience with benefits management and HRIS systems like Workday.
• Experience in the technology sector is advantageous.
• Advanced Excel skills with great attention to detail.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. Our hybrid approach involves teams in the office an average of four days a week. Flexibility and accommodations can be discussed during the interview process.

VML is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a culture of respect and belonging.