EMEA Total Rewards Manager (f/m)

Woodward, Inc.; Kraków; On-site; PLN 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Life & accidental insurance

Multisport package

Meal Vouchers

Company performance bonus

Work‑life balance

PPK: company offers payment to your PK

Hybrid work model (2 days home office,

Relocation & Educational support

Job summary

Woodward, Inc. is seeking an experienced Total Rewards Manager (EMEA) to lead compensation and benefits across the region from Kraków. This individual contributor role partners with HR leaders, Finance, Legal, and vendors to design and govern total rewards programs aligned with business priorities.

You will apply market insights, data analytics, and strong regional expertise to attract and retain top talent, while ensuring compliance with local regulations and governance across EMEA.

Qualifications

• University degree in HR, business, finance, or related field.
• 7+ years in total rewards, compensation, or benefits across EMEA.
• Experience managing multi-country compensation and benefits.
• Strong knowledge of EMEA regulations and market practices.
• Excellent analytical and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage competitive compensation strategies aligned with company objectives and market trends.
• Conduct regular benchmarking and market analysis across EMEA; model and recommend annual salary structure updates.
• Participate in the design and administration of cyclical processes such as salary reviews and incentive programs.
• Design and manage employee benefits programs in line with local legislation and employee needs.
• Partner with brokers and vendors to evaluate, negotiate, and administer benefits plans (medical, pension, risk, wellness).
• Track benefits trends and recommend improvements to enhance employee engagement and value proposition.
• Ensure total rewards programs comply with local legal, tax, and regulatory requirements across EMEA.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Payroll, and HR to mitigate risk and ensure strong governance.
• Support Works Council interactions where applicable.
• Partner closely with global and regional HR teams to align total rewards solutions with business strategy.
• Provide guidance and training to HR and managers on compensation and benefits policies and practices.
• Prepare insights, analysis, and recommendations for leadership and key stakeholders.

Skills

Advanced Excel

HRIS (Workday)

Data analysis

Fluent English

Polish language

German (nice to have)

Education

University degree in HR, business, finance, or related field

Tools

Workday HRIS

Job description

ABOUT THE JOB:

We are looking for an experienced Total Rewards Manager (EMEA) to join our Global Total Rewards Center of Excellence and drive effective, competitive, and compliant compensation and benefits solutions across the region.

In this individual contributor role, you will partner closely with HR leaders, regional HR teams, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to design, deliver, govern, and continuously improve total rewards programs aligned with business and talent priorities.

You will act as a trusted advisor to leaders and HR, using data, market insights, and strong regional expertise to support attraction, retention, and engagement of top talent.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Manage competitive compensation strategies aligned with company objectives and market trends
• Conduct regular benchmarking and market analysis across EMEA; model and recommend annual salary structure updates
• Participate in the design and administration of cyclical processes such as salary reviews and incentive programs

• Design and manage employee benefits programs in line with local legislation and employee needs
• Partner with brokers and vendors to evaluate, negotiate, and administer benefits plans (medical, pension, risk, wellness)
• Track benefits trends and recommend improvements to enhance employee engagement and value proposition

• Ensure total rewards programs comply with local legal, tax, and regulatory requirements across EMEA
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Payroll, and HR to mitigate risk and ensure strong governance
• Support Works Council interactions where applicable

• Partner closely with global and regional HR teams to align total rewards solutions with business strategy
• Provide guidance and training to HR and managers on compensation and benefits policies and practices
• Prepare insights, analysis, and recommendations for leadership and key stakeholders

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• University degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in Total Rewards, Compensation, and/or Benefits, ideally across EMEA markets
• Proven experience managing complex, multi‑country compensation and benefits programs
• Strong knowledge of EMEA compensation and benefits regulations and market practices
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Ability to independently manage complex topics and priorities
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills in an international environment
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with HRIS tools (e.g. Workday)
• Project management experience is a plus
• Fluent English and Polish (spoken and written); German is a plus
• Experience working with Works Councils is a plus

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN:

• Advancement opportunities in international team
• A total rewards package, that includes: private health insurance, life & accidental insurance
• Multisport package
• Meal Vouchers
• Company performance bonus program
• Work‑life balance, semi‑flexible working time
• PPK: company offers payment to your PPK account up to 4% of your compensation depending on seniority
• Hybrid work model (2 days of home office and 3 days from our office in Krakow)
• Relocation & Educational support