Workforce Policy and Projects Specialist (Pay and Reward)

North Northamptonshire Council; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Kettering seeks an experienced HR Pay and Reward Specialist. In this key role, you will lead on pay structures, develop employment policies, and manage HR projects to ensure compliance and support organisational change. You must hold a CIPD Level 7 qualification and have proven HR experience. The position offers a competitive salary and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Generous leave entitlement

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR at a senior professional level.
• Strong ability to develop and review employment policies.
• Experience in leading organisational change initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead on pay and reward ensuring fair and robust structures.
• Develop and review employment policies reflecting legislative changes.
• Project manage workforce initiatives including service efficiency reviews.
• Provide expert advice on employment legislation and complex HR queries.
• Deliver accurate management information to measure policy effectiveness.

Skills

HR project management

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Legislation interpretation

Communication skills

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent

Job description

Join us to play a key role developing policy, leading projects that support our people and organisation, and make a real impact on how we work!

We are looking for an experienced HR Pay and Reward Specialist with strong policy expertise to join our team. This is a key role, leading on pay, terms and conditions, and job evaluation, while managing a small team of dedicated professionals.

You will work in partnership with managers and HR colleagues to drive organisational change and support continuous improvement across services. This is an exciting opportunity to gain broad experience and tackle rewarding challenges within a large Unitary Council-helping shape initiatives that deliver our Workforce Strategy and Corporate Plan.

Our benefits

Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we're transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people.

You'll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!

Why choose us?

We offer a vibrant working environment with:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work‑life balance.

We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.

What will you be doing?

You will:

• Take the lead on pay and reward, to ensure the organisation has transparent, fair and robust pay and grading structures and job evaluation processes; and maintains consistency and compliance with organisational frameworks.
• Develop and review employment policies and practices, ensuring they reflect legislative changes and organisational priorities.
• Project manage strategic workforce initiatives, including organisational change and service efficiency reviews.
• Provide expert advice on employment legislation, policy interpretation, and complex HR queries.
• Deliver accurate management information, analysing data to measure policy effectiveness and inform decision-making.
• Maintain strong consultative relationships with Trade Unions and stakeholders to support positive employee relations.

About you

You will

• Be CIPD Level 7 qualified (or equivalent) with proven experience in HR at a senior professional level.
• Be a team player skilled in HR projects and confident in leading organisational change initiatives.
• Have a strong ability to interpret legislation and translate it into clear, practical policies.
• Have excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Interviews: W/c 8th December 2025

If you would like to have an informal chat about the role please contact [e-mail] . We will be happy to arrange a time to have an informal discussion.

About us

Our Values and Behaviours

Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are:

Customer-focused
Respectful
Efficient
Supportive
Trustworthy

Our Key Commitments

Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.

We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role.

North Northamptonshire Council re‑signed the Armed Forces Covenant in June 2024 which highlights the Council's pledge to support the Armed Forces community. The council obtained the silver status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and we are now currently working towards achieving Gold status.

Further information can be found at Jobs and careers | North Northamptonshire Council (northnorthants.gov.uk)