Head of Reward & Benefits

ZEDRA; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services firm based in Manchester is seeking a Head of Reward & Benefits to lead its global strategy on employee compensation and benefits. You will oversee payroll, manage the benefits team and ensure compliance across regions. This role requires extensive experience in reward management and a strategic mindset. The ideal candidate will have excellent leadership skills and a degree in a related field. It's a fulltime position with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years experience in Reward and Benefits.
• Experience in leading payroll functions globally.
• Strong track record in annual salary review processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead ZEDRA's global reward and benefits strategy.
• Manage and develop the Reward & Benefits team.
• Oversee payroll processes and ensure compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic mindset

Interpersonal skills

HR data analysis

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business or related field

CIPD qualified or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

HRIS systems

Job description

Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer (CPO), the Head of Reward & Benefits will lead ZEDRAs global reward and benefits strategy and operations, ensuring consistency, compliance, competitiveness and innovation across all jurisdictions.

This role carries ultimate accountability for the governance, accuracy and final sign-off of in-house payroll, and for the management of ZEDRAs employee benefits and wellbeing programmes.

The Head of Reward & Benefits will manage and develop the Reward & Benefits team as well as lead the annual salary and bonus review process, including market benchmarking and pay calibration, ensuring alignment with business strategy, competitiveness and ZEDRAs values.

Key Accountabilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Act as a trusted advisor on all matters relating to reward, payroll, benefits and wellbeing.
• Define, develop and deliver ZEDRAs global reward and benefits strategy in line with business goals and values.
• Lead, inspire and develop the Reward & Benefits team
• Act as the escalation point for complex reward, payroll and benefit issues across all jurisdictions.
• Lead the design of compensation structures, including base pay, variable pay, executive remuneration, variable and long‑term incentives.
• Ensure a proactive approach to market trends, competitor benchmarking and evolving employee expectations

Global Expansion & Harmonisation

• Build and embed consistent global reward and benefits frameworks while respecting local compliance and cultural requirements.
• Partner with regional HR teams and leadership to ensure aligned approaches to pay, benefits and wellbeing across ZEDRAs expanding global footprint.
• Support integration activities for new jurisdictions, ensuring payroll, reward and benefits processes are seamlessly implemented.
• Lead the alignment of reward, benefits and pension arrangements during mergers and acquisitions, ensuring a smooth transition for employees and harmonisation with ZEDRAs frameworks.
• Develop global governance standards to ensure scalability, compliance and efficiency.
• Redesign and manage the senior leadership share scheme ensuring alignment to executive incentives with long‑term business performance, shareholder value, and transformation goals.

Payroll

• Oversee payroll processes managed both in-house and via third‑party providers
• Take overall accountability for the in‑house payrolls including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, UK, Cayman and Singapore in terms of validation and authorising final sign‑off.
• Oversee and ensuring timely and accurate payment of salaries, benefits and statutory contributions.
• Maintain awareness of global payroll legislative changes and implement appropriate processes and controls.

Reward

• Manage the design, governance and execution of ZEDRAs wider reward frameworks, including incentive and recognition programmes.
• Lead the annual salary and bonus review process, including preparation, governance, calibration and communication.
• In collaboration with the CPO, present the outcomes and recommendations from the annual salary and bonus review process to RemCom, supporting effective decision‑making at the highest level.
• Develop and oversee communication strategies to ensure employees understand and value their total reward package.
• Partner with senior leadership and HRBPs to align reward strategies with workforce planning.
• Oversee global salary benchmarking and job evaluation exercises, ensuring ZEDRA maintains competitive and equitable reward structures across all jurisdictions.
• Ensure consistency, fairness and alignment of reward processes with business performance and organisational values.

Benefits and Wellbeing

• Oversee the development, implementation and review of global benefit schemes, including pensions, healthcare, life insurance, wellbeing and flexible benefits.
• Lead annual benefit renewals and negotiations with external brokers and providers, ensuring cost‑effectiveness and value for employees.
• Drive the global wellbeing agenda
• Ensure all benefit offerings are compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Regularly evaluate employee benefit and wellbeing programmes, providing recommendations to improve engagement, retention and overall employee experience.
• Review results from Employee Engagement surveys and implement targeted actions based on feedback.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum seven years experience in Reward and Benefits, with at least two years in a senior role, ideally within professional or financial services.
• Demonstrable experience of leading payroll functions globally, including full accountability for final payroll sign‑off.
• Strong track record in leading annual salary and bonus review processes in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Experience in designing and implementing global reward strategies, policies and frameworks.
• Experience in overseeing benefits and wellbeing programmes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proven experience in designing and administering employee equity schemes within a corporate environment.
• Skilled in managing external payroll providers, benefit brokers and third‑party vendors.
• In‑depth knowledge of employment, tax and benefits legislation across multiple jurisdictions.
• Advanced HR data analysis and reporting capabilities.
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, HRIS and payroll systems.
• Commercially astute with a strategic mindset and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• A credible leader who can inspire, coach and develop a team.
• Highly organised, detail‑orientated and capable of managing competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to explain complex reward and benefits concepts clearly.
• Innovative thinker who is motivated to continuously improve processes, policies and offerings.
• Degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business or another related field (desirable).
• CIPD qualified or equivalent, with a specialism in Reward and Benefits (desirable).
• Relevant payroll qualifications advantageous.