Head of Reward

Head of Reward page is loaded Head of Rewardremote type: Hybridlocations: Reading area: Green Parktime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: October 8, 2025 (13 days left to apply)job requisition id: R28913 If you'd like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given. Role: Head of Reward AWE is currently recruiting for a Head of Reward responsible for shaping and leading the company's reward, recognition, and the performance elements of reward strategies, ensuring that compensation, benefits, mobility, and recognition programs are competitive and aligned with business goals.As the Head of Reward, you will be responsible for managing a team of professionals, optimising resource deployment, and fostering their development, while also collaborating across functions and influencing senior leaders. Reporting to Director of Reward & People Services, your duties will include: Design and implement reward, recognition, and mobility strategies aligned with business objectives, overseeing compensation programmes and the annual review cycle. Provide expert guidance on executive reward and incentive schemes, advising senior leaders and engaging with trade unions and regulators on reward matters. Ensure adherence to statutory requirements, audit standards, and public sector remuneration controls, managing external auditors and third-party suppliers. Lead a team of reward professionals, manage budgets and business planning, and leverage technology to enhance employee experience and efficiency. Monitor programme effectiveness using KPIs, track issues, and drive continuous improvement across reward initiatives.We are looking for an experienced Reward Leader with experience driving strategic and operational excellence across a Reward function. Previously lead a high-performing team, managing career development and succession planning.If you're a collaborative leader with deep reward expertise and a passion for driving strategic impact, we'd love to hear from you. We do need you to have the following: Bachelor's degree or equivalent HR Qualification, or relevant experience. Proven experience of delivering a Reward service and managing reward projects. Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following: Demonstrable people management skills with the ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders, and resolve conflicts effectively. Excellent verbal and written communication, strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities with attention to detail. Strong business and digital acumen, analytical skills to interpret HR data, and a proactive, problem-solving mindset focused on continuous improvement. Decisive, resourceful, and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes while role modelling high-performance behaviours.You'll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines. Location: RG7 4PR , located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking . Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application. Next steps: Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don't always 'tick every box'. That's why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don't meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we'd love to receive your application. Important things you need to know: We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes. You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process. Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.If you're looking for a role with excitement, intrigue and something that really makes a difference then now is the time to join AWE. We are at the start of a once in a generation - possibly two generations - programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK's continuous at sea deterrent. We will do this while continuing to deliver the Trident programme as well as managing ambitious state-of-the-art capital and construction projects - some of which have never been done before. Find out more on our .We don't want to lose you. You can: Introduce yourself to us using the link on the top right hand side of this page. Sign up to job alerts ; Create an account using the sign in link at the top of the page and select job alerts at the top of the page once you have signed in. Service Leavers, Veterans and Reservists We are an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award Employer. Visit the to find out more. Early Careers To register your interest in our Apprentice, Graduate and undergraduate, please visit