Senior Reward Lead

Money & Pensions Service; Cranfield; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days’ annual leave + bank holidays

Pension (2:1 matched up to 10%)

Season ticket loan

Cycle to work scheme (up to £3,000)

Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs

Life assurance

EAP Assist & Life

Enhanced family and sick pay

2 paid volunteering days

Recognition scheme

Retail discounts portal

Job summary

Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) invites applications for a Senior Reward Lead in Bedford. The role leads reward strategy delivery, advises on pay/benefits, and supports transformation projects to keep pay structures equitable and compliant.

The role reports to the HR Data Insights & Reward Manager, offers hybrid working, and focuses on employee engagement and retention across the UK public sector.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in reward and benefits management within a complex organisation, preferably Public Sector.
• Strong knowledge of UK pay legislation, reward frameworks, and best practice.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation and embedding of Reward Principles aligned with MaPS values and goals.
• Assist with annual pay review processes including pay modelling and approvals.
• Oversee administration of pay structures, benefits schemes and recognition programs.
• Manage benefits contracts and communicate benefits to employees effectively.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on reward and benefits matters.
• Collaborate with external providers and internal stakeholders to deliver wellbeing programmes.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies for reward practices.
• Monitor reward metrics and impact of reward initiatives.
• Undertake job evaluation exercises to support salary reviews.
• Provide mentorship and development to the People and Culture team.

Skills

Reward management

Benefits management

Stakeholder management

UK pay legislation

Power BI

Education

CIPD Level 5 or above

Tools

HiBob

Power BI

Job description

Senior Reward Lead

£60k per annum

Bedford

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Join us at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) as a Senior Reward Lead. This role offers you the chance to make a significant impact by leading the delivery and supporting the continuous improvement and digital transformation of MaPS’ reward and benefits strategy, ensuring it is competitive, equitable, and aligned with organisational objectives. You’ll provide expert advice on pay, benefits, and recognition, supporting employee engagement and retention, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and best practice.

You’ll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to helping people across the UK improve their financial wellbeing.

Role Overview

The Senior Reward Lead will report directly to the HR Data Insights & Reward Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for:

Key Responsibilities

• Supportthe implementation and embedding of Reward Principles in line with MaPS’ values and business goals, including developing a benefits strategy.
• Assist with the annual pay review process, including pay modelling, proposal development, approvals, and implementation.
• Oversee the administration of pay structures, benefits schemes, and recognition programs.
• Manage benefits contracts and ensure effective provision and communication of benefits to employees.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders and HR colleagues on all reward and benefits matters, acting as an escalation point for colleague queries.
• Collaborate with external providers and internal stakeholders to deliver effective benefits and wellbeing programmes.
• Ensure all reward and benefits practices comply with legal requirements and internal policies.
• Monitor and report on reward metrics, trends, and the effectiveness of reward initiatives.
• Undertake job evaluation exercises to support salary reviews and pay review cycles.
• Provide mentorship, support, and professional development to direct report and wider People and Culture team.

You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience.

To excel in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Proven experience in reward and benefits management within a complex organisation, preferably with Civil Service or Public Sector experience.
• Strong knowledge of UK pay legislation, reward frameworks, and good practice.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Experience supporting in-house payroll.
• Experience designing and implementing total reward strategies.
• Familiarity with HR systems and data analytics tools (e.g., HiBob, Power BI).
• Advanced analytical skills, including pay modelling and data interpretation.

Our Recruitment Process

We keep things simple, fair, and transparent:

Applications open: 26th October 2026 I Closing date: 8th November 2026

Everything we do aligns with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

About Us

MaPS is based in bright, modern offices in Bedford, and we’re here to help people across the UK feel more confident and informed about their money.

• Caring – for colleagues and the communities we support
• Connecting – building supportive, positive relationships
• Transforming – creating impact that truly matters

We’re proud to foster an inclusive, welcoming culture. Our colleague networks include LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health and ethnicity groups — and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

What We Offer

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Pension (2:1 matched contribution up to 10%)
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme (up to £3,000)
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
• Life assurance
• EAP Assist & Life
• Enhanced family and sick pay
• 2 paid volunteering days
• Recognition scheme
• Retail discounts portal

Flexible Working

We believe work should fit around life. This Bedford‑based role offers genuine flexibility so you can balance work, family, and personal commitments. We come together for purposeful team collaboration to stay connected and drive great results.

Career Development

We love supporting internal growth and progression, while continuing to follow fair and open Civil Service recruitment practices.

Important Information About Applying

• Please apply only via official MaPS links - we can’t accept applications via email or unauthorised sites.
• MaPS is unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Reserve List

If you're successful at interview, we may place you on a reserve list for up to 6 months. If a similar role becomes available, you may be offered it without the need for another assessment.

If you believe your application hasn’t followed the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles, you can contact [e-mail]. If unresolved, you may then contact the Civil Service Commission.

Job Reference

MaPS01368

Close Date

08/11/2026