Reward Business Partner

Tina Lacey Recruitment Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Significant pension contribution

Retail discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Job summary

Our client, based in Openshaw Manchester, seeks a Reward Business Partner to support reward, benefits and recognition across a large education group. The fixed-term role covers maternity leave until December 2027, involves full-time hours (37 per week) and hybrid working—two days on site at the Openshaw campus and three days remote.

You will work with the Head of People to ensure fair, competitive reward aligned to goals, using data to inform decisions and drive colleague experience across the

Qualifications

• Experience in reward, benefits or recognition with data-driven decision making.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and deliver initiatives in change programs.
• Experience with Korn Ferry Hay job evaluation is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the annual pay review process with salary modelling and implementation.
• Lead the benefits offering and recognition initiatives across the Group.
• Analyse reward data, identify trends and recommend actions.
• Produce reward reports for stakeholders and manage costs.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Stakeholder influence

Power BI

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Tools

Korn Ferry Hay

Power BI

Job description

Reward Business Partner FTC till December 2027 £38,400 to £48,000 Openshaw Manchester based 2 days a week, 3 days remotely

Our client is one of the largest social enterprises in the UK dedicated to lifelong learning, and we truly believe in the power of education to change lives. Their values are at the heart of everything they do: working as One Group, embracing Innovation, striving for Excellence, acting Ethically with integrity, and being Sustainable in their approach. Together, these values help them deliver outstanding outcomes for our learners and communities.

Are you an experienced Reward professional looking to make a real impact?

Our client are looking for a Reward Business Partner to join their People Team and support the development and delivery of their reward, benefits and recognition offering, helping to attract, motivate and retain talented colleagues across the Group.

Reporting to the Head of People, you'll play a key role in supporting their reward strategy, working on key projects and partnering with stakeholders across one of the UK's largest education and skills groups.

This is a fixed-term opportunity to cover maternity leave until December 2027, working full-time (37 hours per week), with hybrid working, two days per week based on site at our Openshaw campus in Manchester.

The Opportunity

You will work closely with the Head of People and colleagues across the HR team to ensure our reward approach is fair, competitive and aligned to our organisational goals. This is a varied role where you'll use data and insight to support decision-making, support key initiatives and help shape the colleague experience across the Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the annual pay review process, including salary modelling and implementation.
• Manage and continuously improve the Group's benefits offering.
• Lead job evaluation activity using the Korn Ferry Hay methodology.
• Analyse reward data, identify trends and make recommendations.
• Support reward, benefits and recognition projects.
• Develop and enhance colleague recognition initiatives.
• Produce reward reports and insights for key stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with HR colleagues, managers, senior leaders, Trade Union representatives and external partners.
• Analyse the costs of reward and benefits initiatives to support effective investment decisions.
• Support compliance with reward-related policies, processes and regulatory requirements.

About You

You will bring experience in a reward, benefits or recognition environment, with the ability to work confidently with complex data and translate insight into practical recommendations. You'll be comfortable influencing stakeholders, building relationships and delivering initiatives in a changing environment.

You will ideally be CIPD Level 5 and/or Reward qualified, or able to demonstrate equivalent reward experience. Experience of working in a unionised environment is preferred, while experience of Korn Ferry Hay job evaluation, itrent and Power BI would be advantageous.

You’ll also share our values of One Group, Innovation, Excellence, Ethics and Sustainability.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• CIPD/Reward qualification or proven Reward experience.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong project management, planning and organisational skills.
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to align reward activity to organisational strategy.
• A collaborative approach, with confidence in building effective relationships across HR, business units and external partners.

Benefits

• 28 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (FTE).
• Significant pension contribution.
• Retail discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.