Interim Senior Reward Lead

The Oyster Partnership; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 92,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oyster Partnership in the United Kingdom is seeking an Interim Senior Reward Lead to drive reward strategy, pay equity and organisational change at a senior level. You will lead policy development, job evaluation and benchmarking, shaping frameworks that are fair, transparent, financially sustainable and legally compliant.

Working with senior leaders, you will provide strategic and operational expertise on reward matters, workforce planning and employee experience, influencing key decisions

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading reward, pay and benefits functions in large organisations.
• Strong knowledge of pay frameworks, reward strategy and benchmarking.
• Expertise in pay equity, equal pay legislation and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation and review of reward policies and frameworks.
• Advise senior leaders on job evaluation, pay design and governance.
• Provide specialist reward guidance on recruitment, retention and workforce planning.
• Lead reward analytics and market benchmarking to support decisions.
• Ensure practices are compliant, financially sustainable and aligned to objectives.
• Manage reward and benefits programmes with focus on value for money.
• Lead equal pay reviews and reward assurance activities.
• Build relationships with stakeholders, unions and external partners.
• Provide governance and oversight across all reward activities.

Skills

Reward strategy

Pay equity

Job evaluation

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Chartered CIPD/CIPP

Job description

Drive reward strategy, pay equity and organisational change at a senior level.

Interim Senior Reward Lead

Role: Interim Senior Reward Lead

Rate: £500 - £550 per day (Umbrella)

Contract Type: Interim | Full Time

Location: Essex

Contract Length: 3 Months

Working Arrangements: Hybrid working with 1 day per week in the office

Closing Date: 14th October 2026

Interim Senior Reward Lead - Overview

• An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced reward professional to join a large and complex social housing provider as the lead specialist for reward, pay, grading and benefits. This role will play a key part in shaping reward frameworks that are fair, transparent, financially sustainable and legally compliant.
• Working closely with senior leaders and key stakeholders across the organisation, you will provide strategic and operational expertise on reward matters, organisational change, workforce planning and employee experience. This position offers the opportunity to influence business-critical decisions while driving continuous improvement across reward policy and governance.

Interim Senior Reward Lead - Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and review of reward, pay and grading policies, frameworks and processes.
• Act as the organisation's lead adviser on job evaluation, pay design, grading and reward governance.
• Provide specialist reward advice to senior leaders on recruitment, retention, organisational change and workforce planning.
• Lead reward analytics, market benchmarking and workforce data analysis to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Ensure reward practices remain legally compliant, financially sustainable and aligned to organisational objectives.
• Manage reward and benefits programmes, ensuring value for money and a positive employee experience.
• Lead equal pay reviews, pay equity analysis and reward assurance activities.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, trade unions and external partners.
• Provide governance, quality assurance and oversight across all reward-related activities.
• Support wider organisational initiatives and workforce transformation programmes.

Interim Senior Reward Lead - Applicant Essentials

Essential

• Extensive experience leading reward, pay and benefits functions within large and complex organisations.
• Strong knowledge of pay frameworks, reward strategy, salary benchmarking and benefits design.
• Expert understanding of pay equity, equal pay legislation and reward governance.
• Significant experience managing job evaluation and grading frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex workforce and reward data.
• Experience delivering complex organisational change programmes and workforce initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• Professional qualification such as Chartered CIPD, CIPP or equivalent.

Desirable

• Experience within a social housing provider or wider public sector environment.
• Experience supporting organisational restructuring and transformation programmes.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience managing reward projects during periods of significant organisational change.