Recognition and Reward Performance Manager

AWE; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and security organization in Reading seeks a Recognition & Performance Manager to innovate employee recognition schemes and lead performance management strategies. Ideal candidates have experience in HR, strong stakeholder management skills, and a passion for driving meaningful change. This role offers competitive salary, flexible working, and numerous employee benefits.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market leading pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Professional career development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts on savings

Special Leave Policy

Qualifications

• Experience in working with recognition programmes and performance management frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience of working in an HR environment, with a passion for people.
• Project management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver innovative recognition schemes.
• Lead performance management strategy.
• Partner with senior leaders to embed culture of performance excellence.
• Use data and insights for continuous improvement.
• Champion best practices across industries.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Influencing skills

Project management

HR environment experience

Job description

Recognition & Performance Manager

Location: Green Park, Reading. We will be relocating from our onsite Aldermaston base in early 2026.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000 dependent on skills and experience

Your opportunity to shape how we celebrate success and drive performance in a mission that matters.

AWE is looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking Recognition & Performance Manager to join our People & Places team. This is a unique opportunity to influence how we motivate, recognise, and empower our people whilst delivering one of the UK's most important missions.

At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

What you’ll be doing:

• Designing and delivering innovative recognition schemes that celebrate excellence, foster engagement, drive performance and align with our values.
• Lead the performance management strategy, ensuring our processes drive high performance, accountability, and continuous development.
• Partner with senior leaders to embed a culture of appreciation and performance excellence.
• Use data and insights to continuously improve our approach, ensuring it's inclusive, impactful, and future‑ready.
• Champion best practices and bring fresh ideas from across industries to keep us ahead of the curve.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in working with recognition programmes and performance management frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience of working in an HR environment, with a passion for people, culture, and driving meaningful change.
• Project management skills - with an eye for detail to keep projects on track and a focus for on‑time delivery.
• The ability to work independently in an environment where you will be empowered to deliver.
• Experience in a complex, regulated, or defence‑related environment is a plus.

Why join us?

• Be part of a purpose‑driven organisation that helps keep the nation safe.
• Work with brilliant minds in a collaborative, open and inclusive culture.
• Enjoy flexible working, excellent development opportunities, and a benefits package that supports your wellbeing and future.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

AWE has a wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9‑day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Ready to make a real impact? Apply now and help us build a culture where people thrive and performance excels.