Head of Global Compensation & Benefits

Kraken; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness benefits

Retirement plans

Global benefits program

Job summary

Kraken is seeking a Head of Global Compensation & Benefits to architect and manage our total rewards strategy across regions. You will lead base pay, bonus, equity, and benefits design, ensuring internal equity and external competitiveness while addressing pay gaps.

You will engage with executives to drive alignment and implement scalable, compliant programs globally, shaping a fair and transparent compensation framework for a growing international team.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in Compensation & Benefits in a strategic leadership role.
• Experience building global or multi-regional compensation and benefits programs.
• Designing compensation philosophy, salary structures, and equity programs (RSUs, stock options).
• Hands-on pay equity audits with remediation plans; familiarity with statistics and pay equity laws.
• Strong analytical and stakeholder management skills; ability to present to executives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a global compensation philosophy aligned with business strategy.
• Establish base pay, bonus, and equity structures with global consistency and local relevance.
• Lead a company-wide reward audit to identify pay inequities and risks.
• Build scalable global benefits and total rewards programs with clear communication.

Skills

Compensation strategy

Global compensation

Equity design

Pay equity audits

Data analysis

Vendor management

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Tools

Radford data

Mercer benchmarks

Job description

Help us use technology to make a big green dent in the universe!

Kraken powers some of the most innovative global developments in energy.

We create the technology that redefines utilities and unlocks a new energy system of the future. By optimising renewable generation, building a more intelligent grid, and empowering utilities to deliver an exceptional customer experience, our operating system is transforming the industry worldwide.

It’s an incredibly exciting time to work in energy. Join us on our mission to improve the lives of ONE BILLION humans within the decade and shape a cleaner, better future for everyone.

Where you'll fit in:

We are looking for a strategic and hands-on Head of of Global Compensation & Benefits to architect, implement, and manage our total rewards strategy and operations. This is a critical leadership role responsible for designing equitable, competitive, and scalable programs that will attract, retain, and motivate top talent across the globe. You will be the chief architect of our compensation philosophy and will be instrumental in resolving existing pay inequities and creating a fair and consistent framework for our growing international team.

What you’ll own:

1. Develop and Implement a Compensation Philosophy

• Craft a clear, data-driven compensation philosophy that is intrinsically linked to our company values, business strategy, and long-term growth objectives.
• Collaborate with the executive leadership team to gain alignment and ensure the philosophy serves as the foundational guide for all compensation and rewards decisions.
• Champion this philosophy throughout the organization to ensure transparency and understanding among leaders and employees.

2. Establish Base Pay, Bonus, and Equity Structures

• Design and implement globally consistent, yet locally relevant, salary bands, bonus/incentive plans, and equity guidelines.
• Utilise robust market benchmarking data from multiple sources (e.g., Radford, Mercer) to ensure our compensation is competitive and aligned with our desired market position.
• Develop clear processes for salary reviews, promotions, and new hire offers to ensure internal equity and consistency.

3. Conduct a Company-Wide Reward Audit

• Lead a comprehensive audit of all current compensation practices to identify internal pay inequities, market misalignments, and compliance risks across all regions.
• Conduct a thorough pay equity analysis with an immediate and specific focus on understanding and addressing our flagged gender pay gap.
• Present findings and provide data-backed, actionable recommendations to leadership for remediating gaps and mitigating future risks.

4. Build Scalable Global Benefits and Total Rewards Programs

• Design and launch a harmonized global benefits framework that addresses current lack consistency across our regions.
• Evaluate, select, and manage vendors to provide comprehensive and cost-effective benefits offerings, including health, wellness, retirement, and leave programs that cater to a diverse global workforce.
• Develop a compelling total rewards communication strategy to help employees understand and appreciate the full value of their compensation and benefits package, driving engagement and retention.

What you’ll bring to the party:

• Detailed & progressive experience in Compensation & Benefits, with time spent in a strategic leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience building and managing compensation and benefits programs on a global or multi-regional scale is essential.
• Proven expertise in designing a compensation philosophy, creating salary structures, and managing variable pay and equity programs (e.g., RSUs, stock options).
• Hands‑on experience conducting pay equity audits and implementing remediation plans. Familiarity with statistical analysis and pay equity legislation is required.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
• Global operational benefits management
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present complex topics clearly to executive audiences.
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.

Are you ready for a career with us? We want to ensure you have the right tools and environment to unleash your potential. If you have any accommodation requests, please contact us at [e-mail]. We’ll do our best to tailor the experience to your needs so you can feel comfortable, confident and be at your best!

Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we’re looking for! At Kraken, we're creating a team of genuine, honest, empathetic people. Our people are our strongest asset and the unique skills and perspectives people bring to the team are the driving force of our success. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. We consider all applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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Please note that, in line with our current recruitment policy, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position; applicants must have the right to work in the country that they're applying to, at the time of application.