Lead Reward & Benefits Consultant (FTC)

Escode; Coalville; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Escode, a global leader in technology resilience and software escrow, seeks a Lead Reward & Benefits Consultant (Fixed-Term Contract to December 2027) in Manchester on a hybrid basis. You will drive a strategic review of global reward and benefits, emphasising US healthcare benefits, benchmarking and pay structures, while guiding governance and stakeholder engagement across regions.

You will design and optimise bonus, incentive and commission programmes, manage provider reviews and vendor

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Total Rewards, Compensation & Benefits in a global organisation.
• Strong expertise in US healthcare benefits, including plan design, renewals & vendor management.
• Experience conducting rewards reviews, benchmarking programmes and providing actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to design and implement job architecture, career frameworks and pay structures.
• Experience reviewing and enhancing bonus, incentive and sales commission programmes.
• Analytical skills using market data and insights to inform reward strategy.
• Experience managing provider reviews, contract negotiations and benefits implementations.
• Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders and translate complex information into clear recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead global rewards and benefits review across multiple markets.
• Benchmark market competitiveness and governance for total rewards.
• Design and implement bonus and commission programmes aligned to business goals.
• Manage provider reviews, tenders and vendor relationships.
• Support change management and communications to colleagues and managers.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and adoption.
• Establish governance, analytics and reporting for reward programmes.

Skills

Total Rewards

Compensation & Benefits

US Healthcare Benefits

Job Architecture

Bonus & Commission Design

Stakeholder Engagement

Analytical Skills

Education

Reward/HR/Finance Qualification

Job description

Job Title: Lead Reward & Benefits Consultant (Fixed-Term Contract to December 2027)

Location: Manchester / Hybrid

About the Role

As our Lead Reward & Benefits Consultant, you will drive a strategic review of our global reward and benefits landscape, with a particular emphasis on US healthcare benefits, total reward benchmarking, job architecture, bonus programmes and sales commission frameworks.

You will evaluate current arrangements, benchmark market competitiveness and identify opportunities to enhance value, governance, equity and the employee experience. Working across multiple geographies, you will lead the design, negotiation, implementation and ongoing optimisation of reward, benefits and variable pay programmes that support both business objectives and colleague engagement.

About Escode

Escode is a global leader in technology resilience and software escrow, helping organisations manage complex software supply chains through software verification and escrow solutions.

As an independent business, we ensure business-critical software and source code are secure, accessible, and ready when it matters, reducing risk and strengthening resilience before issues arise.

With over 40 years of experience, Escode pioneered the software escrow category in 1988, recognizing the growing technology dependence of businesses and the need for a safety mechanism. We are proud to set industry standards and shape its direction, providing unparalleled expertise and reliability. Take a look at our website here to learn more about Escode:

Key Accountabilities:

Global rewards and benefits review

• Conduct a review of Escode's global reward and benefits programmes.
• Assess competitiveness, consistency, cost effectiveness and colleague experience across multiple markets.
• Identify opportunities to improve, simplify and optimise reward and benefits offerings.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Total Reward Benchmarking & Job Architecture

• Lead global reward benchmarking activities to ensure market competitiveness.
• Develop and enhance job architecture, career frameworks and pay structures.
• Establish clear reward principles, levelling guidance and governance processes.
• Translate insights into practical recommendations and implementation plans.

US Healthcare Benefits

• Act as the subject matter expert for US healthcare and wellbeing benefits.
• Review plan design, provider performance, colleague experience and cost effectiveness.
• Support annual renewals, enrolment activities and vendor management.
• Recommend solutions that balance colleague value, compliance and commercial objectives.

Bonus and Commission Design

• Review and assess existing bonus, incentive and commission schemes.
• Design and enhance performance-based reward programmes aligned to business goals.
• Model reward scenarios and assess commercial impact.
• Support implementation, governance and stakeholder communications.

Provider Selection & Implementation

• Lead or support provider reviews, tenders and selection processes.
• Partner with key stakeholders to negotiate contracts and service arrangements.
• Manage the transition and implementation of new reward and benefits providers.
• Ensure projects are delivered effectively with clear governance and accountability.

Change Management & Colleague Experience

• Support the rollout of new and enhanced reward and benefits programmes.
• Develop communication and engagement materials for colleagues and managers.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure a seamless employee experience.
• Monitor adoption, feedback and effectiveness, recommending improvements where required.

Governance, Analytics & Stakeholder Management

• Establish strong governance and reporting for reward and benefits programmes.
• Use market data and analytics to inform decision‑making and recommendations.
• Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Track progress, risks and outcomes across reward and benefits initiatives.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Significant experience in Total Rewards, Compensation & Benefits within a global or multi‑country organisation.
• Strong expertise in US healthcare benefits, including plan design, renewals, vendor management and employee communications.
• Experience conducting reward and benefits reviews, benchmarking programmes and developing actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to design and implement job architecture, career frameworks and pay structures.
• Experience reviewing and enhancing bonus, incentive and sales commission programmes.
• Analytical skills, with experience using market data and insights to inform reward strategy.
• Experience managing provider reviews, contract negotiations and benefits implementations.
• Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders, translating complex information into clear recommendations.
• Experience supporting reward and benefits change initiatives, communications and employee adoption.
• Background in reward consulting, compensation and benefits, HR consulting, or in‑house Total Rewards roles.
• Relevant qualification in Reward, HR, Finance or a related discipline is desirable but not essential.

Please note that this role involves mandatory pre‑employment background checks due to the nature of the work Escode does. To apply, you must be willing and able to undergo the vetting process.