Reward & HR Controller

Pernod Ricard USA; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global drinks company in London is seeking a Reward & HR Controller to manage payroll forecasts and deliver high-quality analysis for over 2,000 employees. The ideal candidate will have experience in financial analytics and stakeholder presentations, contributing to strategic workforce decisions and improving data processes. This role offers a hybrid work environment and comprehensive benefits including medical insurance and lifestyle perks.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

28 days annual holiday

Employee discounts on brands

Qualifications

• Proven track record in forecasting and analytics, ideally with 5+ years' experience.
• Experience in an HR/Financial Controller or FP&A Analyst role.
• Ability to deliver insight-driven presentations.

Responsibilities

• Manage Payroll and Benefits forecasting, ensuring accuracy.
• Deliver monthly analysis on Payroll & Benefits to senior stakeholders.
• Monitor payroll and benefits processes across affiliates.
• Ensure data integrity across systems and conduct validation.

Skills

Forecasting staff costs

Data analysis

Communication

Business partnering

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in Finance, Controlling, or Accounting

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Workday

Adaptive Planning

Job description

Reward & HR Controller

Your Manager: HR Controlling Manager

Team: Total Reward, HR Controlling & Workforce Planning (CoE)

Location: Chiswick, London. We operate a hybrid working approach, which allows you to manage your time between home and office.

Be part of something big

We are Pernod Ricard, a leading company in the global wines and spirits industry with over 19,000 employees globally. We own 16 of the world’s top 100 Spirits Brands and hold one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry with 240 premium brands available in over 160 countries, including: Absolut vodka, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater, Malfy and Monkey 47 gins, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier‑Jouët champagnes as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate and Campo Viejo wines.

Here in the UK

In the UK, Pernod Ricard is made up of 3 businesses:

• Pernod Ricard UK, which markets, sells and distributes our products in the UK and also drives the global development of our iconic Gin brands through The Gin Hub
• Chivas Brothers, the largest brand company in the Group, responsible for the production and management of our award‑winning Scotch whisky portfolio
• Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, the global and EMEA home of the group’s duty free, air travel and cruises business.

Your new team

This position sits in our Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK) business. Our diverse population of 300+ passionate employees have been creating conviviality since 2001, bringing our premium brands and unforgettable experiences to the UK. As the world’s 2nd largest spirits market, the UK is a key location for our company. Since 2017 PRUK has also hosted The Gin Hub, the team responsible for managing the Group’s unrivalled portfolio of ‘Premium+’ International Gins globally.

At PRUK, we have a culture that blends performance and conviviality: we are recognised as an open and diverse business with a firm commitment to our employees’ wellness, inclusion and safety and to making a positive impact on our industry and environment.

As a Reward & HR Controller, you will be a key partner in driving workforce cost planning, reward analytics, and compensation‑related insights for over 2,000 employees across our four UK affiliates (Chivas Brothers [Gold BU], Pernod Ricard UK, Global Travel Retail & The Absolut Group [Crystal BU]). You will ensure robust forecasting, insightful reporting, effective cost control, and high‑quality reward analytics, supporting data‑driven decisions in a dynamic, matrixed organisation.

Your unique contribution

HR Controlling

You will have 4 main areas of responsibility:

1. Staff Cost Planning & Forecasting

Manage the Payroll and Benefits forecasting through quarterly rolling forecasts in line with Group requirements and monthly actuals reporting. Collaborate closely with HRBPs, Finance and other local HR Controllers to ensure accuracy and reliability of workforce cost data. Prepare & present clear, concise narratives and analysis to support internal (Group & Local) reporting to senior stakeholders. Support finance teams in strategic processes, such as budgeting and estimates forecasting, by providing accurate data and analysing and scenario‑modelling all aspects of Compensation & Benefits.

2. Analytics & Business Partnering

Deliver monthly analysis and variance commentary to senior stakeholders on Payroll & Benefits and FTE Evolution which includes tracking our expat costs (Budget vs Actuals), key HR ratios (including Group Social Reporting) and engaging with auditors when required. Identify cost drivers, risks and opportunities, and provide simulations to support strategic decisions (e.g., hiring plans, merit increases and bonus assumptions). Act as the key liaison between local HR/Finance teams and the Group HR Controlling team.

3. Financial Transactions

Monitor payroll and benefits reinvoicing processes across UK‑based affiliates, including accruals, recharges and bonus reconciliations.

4. Systems & Data Integrity

Ensure consistency and reconciliation across systems (Adaptive Planning, Polaris). Conduct data validation and ensure accuracy across all reporting streams. Recommend or implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and consistency.

Reward Analytics & Insights

You will support the Total Rewards & Workforce Planning Centre of Excellence (CoE) by delivering high‑quality analysis and reporting across all areas of Compensation & Benefits.

1. Compensation Cost Analysis & Forecasting

Conduct detailed analysis to support the forecasting, budgeting and accrual of employee costs related to compensation. Ensure accurate modelling of bonus, salary and incentive‑linked costs, providing clear insights to stakeholders. Calculate and reconcile internal recharges related to bonus and other pay‑related initiatives, ensuring alignment with finance and HR reporting requirements.

2. Reward Governance & Regulatory Reporting

Lead analysis required for statutory and governance reporting, including Gender Pay Gap reporting and bonus/pay‑related recharges. Validate data accuracy and ensure compliant, timely delivery of required reports. Prepare clear, concise narratives and insights to support internal and external reporting.

3. Incentive Scheme Support & Earnings Calculations

Provide analytical support for compensation initiatives, including calculation of eligible earnings for schemes such as the Profit Related Share Scheme. Maintain transparent methodologies, controls and consistency across all UK entities.

4. Advanced Data Analysis & Insights Delivery

Analyse, interpret and condense large and complex datasets into clear, actionable insights. Identify trends, risks, opportunities and cost drivers across reward data. Respond to ad‑hoc analytical requests with high‑quality, timely outputs.

Who you’ll be working with

Internally, you will work closely with HR Business Partners, HR Directors, Finance Business Partners, Local HR Controllers, HQ, and Payroll & Admin teams

Your blend of talent

This position could be right for you if you:

• Have a degree in Finance, Controlling, Accounting or a related field.
• Possess a proven track record in forecasting staff costs or analysing complex data, ideally with 5+ years’ experience in an international or matrix organisation.
• Have experience as an HR/Financial Controller, FP&A Analyst or in a Compensation/ Reward analytics role.
• Can deliver clear, insight‑driven presentations to senior leadership.
• Excel in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment.
• Take initiative, identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements.
• Maintain confidentiality and collaborate effectively across teams.

Technical Skills

• Strong financial acumen with a deep understanding of payroll, compensation and benefits topics.
• Intermediate Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience with Workday and Adaptive Planning.
• Ability to navigate complexity and drive data consistency.

Soft Skills

• Analytical mindset – Ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Pro‑active approach – Anticipates needs, takes initiative, and demonstrates curiosity.
• Business partnering – Strong collaboration skills across HR and Finance.
• Communication – Able to translate complex concepts in a clear and straightforward manner.
• Adaptability – Thrives in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
• Organisation – Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Attention to detail – Ensures precision and insight in all technical and analytical outputs.

Our mix of benefits

For your health, we offer private medical insurance, critical illness cover and an optional healthcare cash plan and dental insurance.

Our lifestyle benefits options include 28 days’ annual holiday, your employee pension, share incentive plan, family care, season ticket loans, free mortgage advice, payroll giving and more!

You can access lots of gifts & discounts, including an allowance each year to spend on our brands in our staff shop and employee discounts from a range of high street retailers.

We have regular events in our very own office bar, employee‑run networks, a culture of flexibility and trust and a variety of tools and resources to help you focus on your wellbeing and mental fitness.

Conviviality: the Pernod Ricard Way

We have our own way of doing things. We call it conviviality! It’s our way of being, and something unique you feel and experience when working for Pernod Ricard.

We’re committed to conviviality, and with this, you’ll be Proud to Belong to our Pernod Ricard family. You’ll be Empowered to Perform, supported to succeed, and acknowledged for the value you bring.

We combine all this with our Commitment to Care: we are unlocking the magic of human connection to transform our industry and make a positive impact on the world though our strong focus on sustainability and responsibility.

We’re committed to diversity and inclusion

People are at the heart of everything we do at Pernod Ricard and are the foundation of our collective spirit as ‘Créateurs de Convivialité’.

We promote diversity and inclusion throughout our business and supply chain. In our teams, we proactively foster a diverse work force and an inclusive culture – an environment where we can truly be ourselves.

We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Please feel free to leave these off your CV and application form if you so wish.

Similarly, if you would like to discuss opportunities for flexible working or require accommodations or support to complete our application process, please let us know.

Responsible drinking

As ‘Créateurs de convivialité’, we want to turn social interactions into genuine and friendly experiences of sharing and wellbeing.

In our culture, we want to create diverse teams in which our differences contribute to our success. Therefore, all are welcome at Pernod Ricard, regardless of your religious beliefs or personal choices on the consumption of alcohol.

In our business, we work together with industry members, civil society, governments, local authorities and UN bodies to promote responsible drinking.

Job Posting End Date: 2025-12-11

Target Hire Date: 2026-03-02

Target End Date: