Reward Design Manager

On behalf of UKRI, we are looking for a Reward Design Manager - Inside IR35 for a 6 month contract (possible extension) working on a Hybrid basis (Remote with occasional travel for key meetings)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK.

UKRI invests £8 billion of taxpayers’ money each year into research and innovation and the people who make it happen. They work across a huge range of fields – from biodiversity conservation to quantum computing, and from space telescopes to innovative health care. They give everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, bringing together people and organisations nationally and globally to create, develop and deploy new ideas and technologies.

Role purpose:

UK Research and Innovation is undertaking a significant organisation-wide transformation programme, Shaping our Future, designed to create a simpler, more consistent and sustainable organisation that enables world-class research and innovation.

As part of this programme, UKRI is embarking on a major review of its pay, grading and reward arrangements. The programme will scope and develop a future reward framework that supports organisational transformation while improving consistency, transparency and fairness across UKRI.

Working as part of the Pay and Reward Transformation Programme, the Senior Reward and Pay Design Manager will provide the specialist reward expertise that underpins the design of the future reward framework. The postholder will lead the development of reward options, undertake complex pay modelling and affordability analysis , advise senior leaders on reward strategy and work closely with external consultancy partners supporting the design of UKRI’s future grade architecture and job family framework.

The is a highly visible role requiring strong technical reward expertise alongside excellent stakeholder management skills. The postholder will work with senior leaders , HR colleagues, trade unions and external specialists to ensure that reward proposals are evidenced-based, affordable, operationally deliverable and aligned to UKRI’s strategic ambitions .

Deliverables:

- Lead and deliver the reward design as part of the pay transformation programme
- Provide strategic insight and constructive ideas to shape the future reward framework options aligned to organisational objectives
- Lead complex pay modelling, affordability analysis as scenario testing. Analyse workforce , grading and pay data to inform recommendations
- Develop transitions principles including assimilation, pay protection and implementation options
- Support analysis of potential grade disparity and equity risks
- Act as a senior escalation point for complex or reward transformation queries, offering expert advice at all levels including HRBPs, Heads of HR, COOs and ExCo.
- Drive reward engagement, working with the communications team to help to develop and deliver stakeholder‑focused communication to increase transparency and understanding of the reward transformation programme.
- Develop and maintain strong internal and external partnerships, e.g. cross government stakeholder groups, external delivery partners
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) input into Trade Union consultation and negotiation on the reward transformation agenda

The main duties and responsibilities of the Reward Design Manager would be to:

- Lead the development of complex pay modelling to test multiple pay structures, harmonisation options, transition proposals, affordability scenarios and implementation approaches
- Provide and validate reports and analysis of system data and current market trends support to shape transformation proposals
- Support the analysis and interpretation of grade disparity and equal pay risks arising from a review of grade structures
- Ensure reward proposals are informed by equal pay principles and robust analytical evidence. Undertake equal pay modelling on options to help inform recommendations
- Effective responses to Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) requests and Freedom of Information (FOI) pay harmonisation related queries
- Act as a reward subject matter expert supporting the external consultancy delivery grade architecture, job evaluation analysis and job family design
- Take the outputs from the grade architecture and job families workstream to develop affordable reward design options arising from any changes to grade architecture
- Review and challenge consultancy outputs to ensure they are evidence-based, practical and appropriate for UKRI,
- Translate technical outputs into reward implications for senior stakeholders
- Ensure consistency between proposed grade architecture, reward design and implementation planning
- Coordinate internal reward data required to support consultancy analysis .
- Develop transition principles and implementation options to support movement from current reward arrangements to future frameworks, including analysing the impact of different options relating to assimilation, pay protection any red or green circling (if applicable).
- Supporting the wider HR function with advice on pay transformation work
- Be a key point of contact between the Reward team and payroll, DSIT, Trade Union representatives and the wider HR team to ensure effective delivery and communication of Reward transformation objectives .
- Work with UKRI communications teams for internal and external publication of reward related briefings, material and information
- Prepare papers for relevant Governance channels, e.g. Programme Board, Executive Committee and governance groups
- Present technical reward proposals to senior stakeholders and support decision making

Essential:

- In-depth knowledge of reward, pay and grading structures and frameworks
- Significant experience of compiling, manipulating and analysing complex workforce /pay data and using insight to design or inform pay initiatives , structures and frameworks
- Experience of developing and implementing reward approaches within large-scale organisation change or transformation
- Strong knowledge and practical experience of job evaluation methodologies, grade architecture, pay benchmarking and market analysis .
- Understanding of the legal, regulatory and policy consideration relevant to pay and reward design, and the ability to identify and manage associated risks.
- Ability to assimilate complex information and communicate clear, evidence-based recommendations to non-technical, and varied, audiences
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver at pace in a large, complex organisation with a proactive and delivery-focused approach

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, UKRI encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant / Commitment

UKRI welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the 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".