Senior Principal, Total Rewards, London

Korn Ferry; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry is seeking a Senior Principal to lead complex, high-impact Total Rewards engagements across EMEA. This client-facing role combines deep reward expertise with commercial acumen, focused on EU Pay Transparency and fair compensation frameworks.

You will guide job architecture, design pay governance models, and act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders while growing client relationships across the region.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in Total Rewards / Compensation & Benefits / HR consulting.
• Proven track record delivering complex reward programmes.
• Strong knowledge of reward design, job architecture, and pay governance.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders in matrix environments.
• Commercial mindset with experience in client development and relationship management.
• Strong analytical capability using data to drive insight and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, multi-workstream Total Rewards projects across sectors and geographies.
• Design and deliver innovative compensation & benefits strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Provide expert guidance on job architecture, reward frameworks, and pay benchmarking.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including executive teams and HR leadership.

Skills

Total Rewards

Compensation & Benefits

Job Architecture

Pay Governance

Senior Stakeholders

Commercial Mindset

Data-driven Decision Making

Job description

About Us

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business - synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us - for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.

Headquartered In Los Angeles, Our Over 17,000 Colleagues Globally Serve Clients From More Than 130 Offices Across The Globe. We Offer Five Core Capabilities That Span The Full Talent Lifecycle

• Organizational Strategy
• Assessment and Succession
• Talent Acquisition
• Leadership and Professional Development
• Total Rewards

Job Description

Shape the future of pay. Drive transparency. Influence global organisations.

Korn Ferry is partnering with leading organisations at the forefront of Total Rewards transformation—and we’re looking for a Senior Principal to lead complex, high-impact engagements across EMEA.

This is a pivotal role for a client-facing expert who combines deep reward expertise with commercial acumen, particularly in the evolving space of EU Pay Transparency and fair compensation frameworks.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Client Impact & Delivery

• Lead complex, multi-workstream Total Rewards projects across sectors and geographies
• Design and deliver innovative compensation & benefits strategies aligned to business objectives
• Provide expert guidance on job architecture, reward frameworks, and pay benchmarking
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including executive teams and HR leadership

Pay Transparency & Reward Transformation

• Champion fair and transparent compensation practices across organisations
• Design and communicate salary frameworks, pay structures, and governance models
• Identify and help close pay gaps using data-driven insights
• Ensure alignment with evolving legislation (e.g. EU Pay Transparency Directive)

Commercial & Relationship Leadership

• Build and grow client relationships across EMEA
• Contribute to business development, bids, and new client acquisition

Thought Leadership & Market Influence

• Contribute to research, insights, and thought leadership in Total Rewards
• Represent Korn Ferry at industry events and client forums
• Stay ahead of market trends, including future workforce expectations (Gen Z / Millennial)

What We’re Looking For

• Deep experience in Total Rewards / Compensation & Benefits / HR consulting
• Proven track record delivering complex reward programmes
• Strong knowledge of reward design, job architecture, and pay governance
• Experience working with senior stakeholders in matrix environments
• Commercial mindset with experience in client development and relationship management
• Strong analytical capability using data to drive insight and decision-making

Why join Korn Ferry?

• Be part of a global market leader in organisational consulting
• Work on cutting-edge reward transformation projects
• Influence how organisations approach fairness, transparency, and DE&I through pay
• Collaborate across a high-performing, international network
• Join a firm experiencing strong growth and innovation in digital reward solutions

Korn Ferry may use AI as part of its recruitment process, but all hiring decisions are made by humans.

Internal Mobility at Korn Ferry

If you currently work for Korn Ferry or one of our affiliates, you must be eligible to apply for a different position within Korn Ferry to use the Careers Site. If you accept such a position, your benefits programs and Human Resources policies may change. Please consult with your HR contact for the new position concerning application eligibility, including any immigration/visa needs, benefit programs, and HR policies applicable to that position.

Korn Ferry is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.