On behalf of AWE, we are looking for a Rewards Manager - Compensation (Inside IR35) for a 12 month contract based hybrid in Aldermaston, Reading.
Due to the nature of the role, this requires an Active SC clearance or the least a valid SC clearance.
What if you could work on something that you can’t test… but cannot afford to fail? Something that could have spent years on a submarine, is launched into outer space (where the temperature is below -250c), comes hurtling through the atmosphere, being heated up and shaken and then must work? Some challenge. That’s exactly what the team of over 6,500 people at AWE do every day delivering important work, in support of the most important mission - keeping the nation safe.
AWE plays a crucial role in national nuclear security. Their role in nuclear deterrence and their specialist technical assistance to nuclear threat reduction is vital in the defence against the most serious threats faced by the UK. Working to support the defence of our country, AWE has a clear mission to keep everyone, the environment, their products and information, sites, and everything around them, safe and secure.
Role Profile:
Reporting to the Head of Reward, you will lead the delivery and operational management of compensation programmes across the organisation, ensuring pay structures, allowances and incentive arrangements remain competitive, compliant and aligned to business objectives.
This role is highly focused on compensation and pay, rather than benefits, and requires an individual with proven experience managing annual pay cycles, pay reviews, compensation frameworks and stakeholder engagement within a complex organisation.
As a Rewards Manager - Compensation, your main responsibilities will be to:
- Lead and manage all compensation activity, including pay structures, allowances and incentive schemes.
- Drive the annual pay review cycle, salary increases and incentive award processes.
- Conduct market benchmarking and compensation analysis to ensure competitive reward offerings.
- Monitor compensation programmes and recommend improvements based on business needs, market data and industry trends.
- Act as the subject matter expert for compensation, providing guidance and advice to managers and stakeholders.
- Support pay negotiations and provide compensation expertise during Trade Union and Industrial Relations discussions.
- Oversee mobility-related compensation activities, ensuring policies, frameworks and processes are effective and up to date.
- Ensure all compensation practices remain compliant with legislation, government regulations and pay governance requirements.
- Produce and analyse compensation reports, KPIs and management information using Excel.
- Deliver statutory reporting, including Gender Pay Gap analysis and associated insights.
- Provide data-driven recommendations to support reward strategy and business decision-making.
- Lead compensation-related audit activity, acting as the key contact for internal and external audits.
- Ensure accurate and compliant compensation submissions to Payroll through close collaboration with HR teams.
- Maintain strong governance, controls and documentation across all compensation processes.
- Line manage and develop reward professionals, providing coaching, guidance and performance support.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and share best practice across the wider Reward function.
Essential:
- Strong experience managing annual pay review cycles, salary reviews and compensation processes.
- Proven experience of developing, maintaining and advising on compensation frameworks and pay structures.
- Experience conducting internal and external pay benchmarking and market analysis.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and advise managers at all levels.
- Experience leading or supporting compensation-related projects and initiatives.
Desirable:
- Previous experience within the Public Sector or highly regulated environment.
- Experience supporting Industrial Relations activity and Trade Union negotiations.
- Experience producing Gender Pay Gap reporting and statutory remuneration reporting.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
AWE’s ambition is to create workplaces that recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and where people feel able to be themselves at work. They strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, AWE guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant
AWE guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".
