Head of Executive Compensation

WPP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP is seeking a Head of Executive Compensation to design and govern executive remuneration across a global organisation. Reporting to Global Reward, you will advise the CPO, ExCo and RemCo, translating strategy into competitive reward structures while ensuring compliance with global regulations and market practice.

You will lead RemCo governance, benchmark pay, and coordinate with Finance, Legal and Tax to deliver robust, transparent disclosures and responsible governance.

Qualifications

• Significant executive compensation experience in a complex global organisation.
• Experience advising RemCo, Boards and senior executives with credibility.
• Ability to prepare clear committee papers and executive disclosures.
• Deep expertise in short- and long-term incentives and governance.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, investor and proxy-adviser expectations.
• Experience handling cross-border executive reward matters.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve executive reward philosophy, governance framework and incentive architecture.
• Lead design of short-term and long-term incentives, benefits and retention arrangements.
• Structure packages for ExCo and senior leadership appointments and transitions.
• Lead RemCo calendar and prepare papers, modelling and recommendations.
• Oversee disclosures and monitor regulatory and listing requirements.
• Maintain governance, discretion, malus and clawback provisions.
• Benchmark pay, perform pay-for-performance analysis and provide recommendations.
• Collaborate with People, Finance, Legal, Tax and external advisers.

Skills

Executive compensation

RemCo governance

Financial modelling

Stakeholder management

Cross-border governance

Regulatory & listing knowledge

Executive pay design

Job description

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.

We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.

For more information, visit WPP.com.

The Head of Executive Compensation leads the design, governance and oversight of executive remuneration across WPP. Reporting to the Global Reward Director, the role is a trusted adviser to the CPO, ExCo and RemCo, translating business strategy into executive reward arrangements that support long-term value creation, pay for performance and the attraction and retention of senior talent. The role ensures WPP’s approach remains competitive, responsible and aligned with global regulatory, investor and shareholder expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and philosophy: Define and evolve WPP’s executive reward philosophy, governance framework and incentive architecture, ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy, culture, performance and external market practice.
• Executive reward design: Lead the design and review of short-term and longterm incentives, benefits, retention and termination arrangements, balancing competitiveness, affordability, risk and shareholder expectations.
• Appointments and transitions: Structure competitive and compliant reward packages for ExCo and other senior leadership appointments, promotions, international moves and exits.
• RemCo governance: Lead the annual RemCo calendar and prepare high-quality papers, financial modelling, recommendations and decision materials for the Committee, CPO and senior stakeholders.
• Disclosure and compliance: Oversee executive remuneration disclosures and monitor regulatory, listing, tax, governance and investor requirements across relevant jurisdictions.
• Risk and controls: Maintain robust governance and controls, including incentive plan rules, discretion, malus and clawback provisions, ensuring decisions are documented and consistently applied.
• Insight and analytics: Lead executive benchmarking, pay-for-performance assessment, scenario modelling and analysis of market, investor and proxyadviser trends to inform recommendations.
• Stakeholder leadership: Partner across People, Finance, Legal, Tax, Company Secretariat, Reward and external advisers and providers to ensure joined-up advice and effective delivery and administration.

Critical Knowledge & Experience

• Significant executive compensation experience gained in a complex global organisation and/or leading reward consultancy.
• Proven experience advising RemCo, Boards, CPOs and senior executives, with the judgement and credibility to navigate sensitive and high-impact decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, high-quality committee papers, recommendations and executive remuneration disclosures.
• Deep technical expertise in short-term incentives and long-term incentives, performance equity, deferred reward, executive benefits, share plans and associated governance and disclosure requirements.
• Strong understanding of public-company remuneration practice, institutional investor and proxy-adviser expectations, and relevant regulatory and listing requirements.
• Experience managing cross-border executive reward matters, including relevant tax, mobility, legal and regulatory considerations.
• Advanced analytical and financial modelling capability, with the ability to translate complex data into clear options and recommendations.
• Executive reward expertise – applies strong grounding in executive pay design, incentive mechanics, governance and market practice to develop practical, defensible solutions.
• Strategic and commercial acumen – connects reward decisions to business priorities, performance and long-term value creation.
• Executive influence and communication – communicates complex and sensitive matters clearly and builds confidence with senior stakeholders.
• Governance, discretion and judgement – applies sound judgement, integrity and appropriate challenge in a highly confidential environment.
• Analytical rigour – uses financial modelling, market evidence and scenario analysis to develop robust recommendations.
• Collaborative leadership – works effectively across a global matrix, aligning multiple functions, advisers and delivery teams.

What we’ll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.