Compensation Specialist

Role: Compensation Reward Lead

Location: Reading – Full-time with 2 to 3 days per week in the office

Rate: £68.16 per hour, Umbrella, Inside IR35

Contract Length: 12 months

Vetting: Security Clearance: SC clearance would be preferable but the client would accept SC clearance that has lapsed within the last 12 months.

Deadline for CV submission: 7th October 2026 by 9.30am

Details:

The Compensation Lead will be responsible for delivering the compensation components of the reward strategy, including overseeing the provision of a mobility service. It will also manage the operational delivery of compensation, including pay, allowance and incentive structures and communications. This role will include direct line management of a mobility enablement position and task management of up to two analysts or coordinators to support effective delivery.

Key Accountabilities:

Reporting to the Head of Reward:

• Maintaining all compensation frameworks, including base pay, allowances, and incentives.

• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of compensation programmes, with recommendations based on business input, professional insight, and data.

• Ensuring the delivery of a domestic and international mobility service that supports business needs whilst remaining appropriately competitive and benchmarked with other public sector defence bodies.

• Conducting regular benchmarking and market analysis to ensure competitive compensation offerings.

• Collaborating with HR and management to ensure compensation programmes are well-communicated and understood.

• Ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and any delegated authority or pay freedoms granted by the government.

• Meeting all internal and external audit requirements related to compensation.

• Providing expert advice and support to managers on compensation-related matters.

• Managing the annual pay review process and staff incentive distribution.

• The successful deployment of employees to overseas or domestic locations as required by the business.

• Offering professional guidance, leadership, and direction to reward professionals assigned to or reporting within this area.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of compensation programmes and make recommendations for change based upon business input, professional insight, knowledge and data.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and communicate pay ranges, allowances, and variable pay arrangements.

• Through a Mobility Enablement role, ensuring the communication and maintenance of a mobility framework, policy and process.

• Produce statutory reports, including gender pay gap analysis, with compensation insights and commentary.

• Advise on pay agreements across the business, acting as a subject matter expert and supporting the Industrial Relations lead in Trade Union discussions or negotiations.

• Generate and provide compensation-related data, including key performance indicators.

• Liaise with HR to ensure effective and compliant compensation uploads into payroll, offering oversight and guidance.

• Act as the focal point for all compensation-related internal and external audits, conducting internal checks and monitoring to proactively resolve issues.

• Line manage reward professionals providing professional development and holding to account for delivery

• Provide professional guidance and share knowledge with reward colleagues.

Please note: the successful candidate will need to attend site for their induction and kit retrieval. There will also be a requirement for all candidates to attend site for a medical appointment.