Reward Lead

time left to apply End Date: August 11, 2025 (9 days left to apply)

Reports to: Director of HR Partnering & Operations

Directorate: Chief Operating Office

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 10th August 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact or as soon as possible.

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Recruitment process: Interviews in late August

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are looking for a credible Reward professional to join us and shape our strategic reward agenda.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a small, high-impact team at the UK's largest cancer charity, driving innovative approaches to reward and recognition across a diverse workforce of nearly 5,000 employees. With a focus on commercial and strategic thinking, the successful candidate will shape the charity's reward strategy in collaboration with HR Business Partners and key stakeholders, supported by a Reward Specialist. Reporting to an HR Director, the role provides significant exposure to senior leaders and trustees, while allowing the candidate to apply their technical expertise in a meaningful and mission-driven environment.

Develop our strategic approach to reward and benefits, ensuring we remain competitive and can achieve our objectives in a sustainable way.

Oversee the delivery of our cyclical benchmarking approach, working with external partners to review and benchmark salary ranges at all levels across a broad set of roles.

Be accountable for the delivery of reward practices and events including the annual salary review, generating gender and ethnicity pay data, out of cycle pay reviews and routine equal pay audits.

Work collaboratively with HR teams to understand emerging issues and opportunities, leading on defined reward projects in support of key stakeholder groups.

High levels of numeracy with the ability to manage, analyse and understand complex pay data and to provide relevant metrics, reporting and data that drives insight and decision

Relevant experience of project managing defined reward projects and effectively managing reward processes including salary reviews, job evaluation and job families

Relevant experience of developing, reviewing and evolving pay policies, principles and governance for a diverse organisation

Excellent stakeholder management with the gravitas and ability to influence senior colleagues

A collaborative approach with a proven track record of working successfully with HR Partners that are customer facing

Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information in an accessible way both in writing and verbally

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human : Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we'd still love to hear from you.

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact or 0 as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.

As the world's largest independent cancer research charity, we conduct research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Our aim is to see 3 in 4 people survive cancer by 2034 and our staff are integral to achieving that ambition. Cancer Research UK offers you excellent prospects to expand your career as well as the ability to make a real difference to the lives of others. We're always looking for sharp, brave, and collaborative people to join Cancer Research UK and continue to make it a great place to work. Find the career you're looking for and let us change lives together.