Head of Reward

DAC Beachcroft LLP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Manchester is seeking a Head of Reward to shape and deliver compensation and benefits strategies. The ideal candidate will manage reward processes, act as an expert for queries, and lead annual cycles. Key skills include hands-on operations, international experience, and strong Excel proficiency. This role offers the chance to influence talent attraction and retention strategies across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance and engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in reward and benefits operations, including international exposure.
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and resolve operational issues effectively.
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute reward processes, including data preparation and reporting.
• Act as the primary contact for reward queries.
• Lead annual reward cycles and market benchmarking.

Skills

Hands-on reward operations

International experience

Supplier relationship management

Technical knowledge of benefits

Advanced Excel skills

Stakeholder management

Detail-oriented

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Head of Reward

Department: Business Services - Human Resources

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Manchester

Description

In this pivotal role, you will shape and deliver compensation and benefits strategies across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy, compliance and engagement at every stage. As a hands‑on leader, you will combine operational excellence with strategic insight, managing complex processes, analysing data and implementing initiatives that make a tangible difference. Reporting directly to the HR Director, you will play a key role in evolving our global Reward and Benefits offering and influencing how we attract, retain and motivate talent worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Hands‑on delivery of reward activities: Personally manage and execute reward processes, including data preparation, analysis, and reporting for annual cycles and ad‑hoc projects.
• Act as the go‑to expert for reward queries, providing practical advice and solutions to HR colleagues and managers across the Firm, including international and expatriate considerations.
• Partner closely with HR teams globally, ensuring knowledge transfer and supporting local advisors where applicable.
• Lead and actively run annual reward cycles in the UK and Dublin, including market benchmarking, salary reviews, budgeting, approvals, and preparing communications tailored to local jurisdictions.
• Manage two direct reports with a focus on coaching and supporting their operational delivery, while also rolling up your sleeves to assist with complex tasks and data challenges.
• Maintain and update reward policies and processes, ensuring they reflect best practice and are clearly communicated across the Firm.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external brokers and consultants, coordinating benefits renewals and resolving issues promptly.
• Review and enhance reward and benefits offerings across regions, leading practical implementation of improvements and global projects.
• Ensure all legislative reward reporting is completed accurately and on time, working closely with HR Data and Systems teams.
• Stay informed on legal and market practices in reward, applying this knowledge to day‑to‑day decisions and advising senior stakeholders.
• Regularly review global reward trends and benefits benchmarks to maintain competitive positioning and support talent attraction and retention.

Firm wide Responsibilities

• Operate with a global mindset, ensuring consistency and alignment across regions.
• Act in the best interests of the Firm internally and externally.
• Manage risk and compliance issues, including data security, in a regulated environment.
• Collaborate to mitigate commercial risk across jurisdictions.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven experience in hands‑on reward and benefits operations, including international exposure (USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dublin).
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and resolve operational issues effectively.
• Technical knowledge of pay, benefits, pensions, and international mobility.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis; comfortable working with large datasets and producing clear reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex reward concepts simply.
• Highly detail‑oriented and confident handling multi‑jurisdictional issues.

Desirable

• Experience delivering strategic reward initiatives while remaining actively involved in operational execution.
• Background in designing and implementing international benefits programs.
• Understanding of global compensation structures