UK Compensation Lead

Aon plc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Aon plc in London is seeking a senior Compensation Lead for the UK to partner with People Partners and business leaders, translating priorities into practical reward solutions. You will shape pay decisions, governance and annual UK compensation cycles in a complex, matrixed environment.

As a senior individual contributor, you will influence strategy, lead UK programmes, and collaborate with global reward teams to deliver data-driven outcomes and compliant, market-aligned remuneration.

Qualifications

• Experience leading, running and delivering large-scale compensation programmes in a global organisation.
• Knowledge of pay frameworks, benchmarking, incentive plan design and governance requirements.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into programmes to support business performance and colleague experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary compensation partner to UK People Partners and business leaders, translating priorities into practical, commercially aligned reward solutions.
• Lead design, review and ongoing management of incentive plans, including oversight of market survey submissions and pay ranges.
• Deliver annual UK compensation cycles, including salary review, bonus and promotion cycles, with Finance and business leaders.

Skills

Compensation design

Incentive programmes

Governance & compliance

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Excel

Workday

Tools

Workday

Job description

Compensation Lead - UK

Do you want to shape reward decisions for one of Aon’s largest and most complex markets? Are you a senior compensation professional who can combine technical expertise with commercial judgement and strong partner influence?

This is an internal compensation role within Aon’s People Organisation. It is a hybrid role with the flexibility to work both virtually and from our London office.

Aon is in the business of better decisions

At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. As an organisation, we are united through trust as one inclusive team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

What the day will look like

As Compensation Lead for the UK, you will act as the primary compensation partner to UK People Partners and business leaders, translating business priorities into practical, commercially aligned reward solutions. You will provide trusted advice on pay decisions, compensation design and reward governance, while leading the delivery of key UK compensation programmes and initiatives. Please note that this is not a consulting role within Aon's Talent Solutions business.

• Act as a trusted adviser to the People Organisation, Finance and business leaders to provide clear, pragmatic and commercially focused compensation advice.
• Lead the design, review and ongoing management of incentive plans, ensuring alignment with business priorities, performance outcomes and Aon's reward principles.
• Lead UK compensation programmes and structures, including oversight of market survey submissions, maintenance of pay ranges, delivery of the share save programme, design and delivery of early careers compensation structures, and the creation and delivery of regulatory and board papers.
• Lead UK compensation governance initiatives, ensuring fair, consistent and defensible compensation practices that align with evolving regulatory requirements.
• Lead the delivery of annual compensation for the UK, including salary review, bonus and promotion cycles, partnering closely with Finance, People Organisation and business leaders to handle budgets and support fair, data-driven outcomes.
• Provide governance oversight of compensation decisions, ensuring alignment with reward policies, regulatory requirements and internal approval frameworks.
• Prepare analysis, recommendations and materials for senior leadership, governance forums and Board-related discussions, supporting informed compensation decision-making.
• Leverage data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, translating sophisticated information into clear and actionable recommendations.
• Partner with Global Capability Centre resources, Compensation Operations and Global Compensation Partners to ensure efficient and effective delivery of compensation programmes and initiatives.
• Contribute to regional and global reward projects, supporting the consistent application of reward frameworks, policies and governance across the organisation.
• Lead continuous improvement and transformation initiatives across compensation processes, using technology, automation and AI to enhance effectiveness, efficiency and user experience.

How this opportunity is different

This is a senior individual contributor role with real opportunity to influence compensation strategy and decision-making across the UK business. You will work in a complex, matrixed environment where reward decisions have direct commercial impact, partnering with senior team members and playing a key role in shaping practical solutions to complex business challenges.

You will be part of the EMEA Compensation team, collaborating closely with People Organisation colleagues, Finance, business leaders and global reward teams. It is suited to someone who enjoys building strong relationships across a diverse business and cultural environment, solving complex problems, influencing outcomes and adapting to changing business and regulatory needs.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

• Experience leading, running and delivering large-scale compensation programmes and compensation cycles in a global organisation.
• Knowledge of pay frameworks, benchmarking, incentive plan design and governance requirements.
• Ability to leverage strong communication skills to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at senior and executive levels.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of regulatory requirements with the ability to translate these into programmes to support business performance and colleague experience.
• A collaborative, curious and solutions-focused approach with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with data and analytics to support data-driven decision-making.
• Experience using Workday is preferred.

At this level, you will be recognised as a subject matter expert, solving complex and high-impact reward challenges, advising senior stakeholders and leading delivery across business areas with regional business impact.