Overview

Head of Reward - UK & EMEA – Annapurna, London, United Kingdom (hybrid/flexible working).

Base pay range: Direct message the job poster from Annapurna.

Role Title: Head of Reward - UK & EMEA
Location: London (with hybrid/flexible working)
Reporting to: Global Head of Reward

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Reward - UK & EMEA will lead the development, delivery, and governance of the organisation's reward, compensation, and benefits strategy across the UK and EMEA region. The role is responsible for ensuring that reward frameworks are competitive, aligned with business objectives, compliant with regulatory requirements, and support the attraction, motivation, and retention of top talent within a fast-paced financial services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a market-leading reward strategy for the UK & EMEA region, aligned with global policies and business objectives.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, providing insights and recommendations on compensation, benefits, and incentive design.
• Ensure consistency and alignment of reward practices across multiple jurisdictions while adapting to local market, regulatory, and cultural requirements.
• Lead the annual compensation cycle across the region (salary reviews, bonus, LTIP), ensuring governance, fairness, and alignment with performance.
• Manage benchmarking and market intelligence to maintain competitive pay and benefits structures.
• Oversee the design and delivery of benefit programmes across multiple countries, ensuring cost-effectiveness and employee value.
• Partner with Finance and business leaders on workforce planning, cost modelling, and reward budgeting.

Governance & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all reward structures comply with local employment law, tax requirements, and regulatory standards (e.g., FCA, PRA, EBA).
• Manage executive compensation in line with shareholder expectations and remuneration committee (RemCo) requirements.
• Support reporting and disclosure requirements for remuneration across the region.

Stakeholder Management & Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of reward specialists across the region.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and senior leadership teams to provide expert advice and guidance on all reward matters.
• Build strong external networks to stay abreast of market and regulatory developments.

Skills & Experience Required

• Significant experience in reward/compensation leadership roles within financial services or other highly regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of UK and EMEA reward practices, including executive remuneration, regulatory frameworks, and governance.
• Proven track record of leading regional or multi-country reward functions.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, with the ability to interpret data and provide strategic insights.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including at Board/RemCo level.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded, pragmatic, and able to balance strategic vision with operational delivery.
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to work across borders and cultures.
• Resilient and adaptable, with strong problem-solving skills.
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive information.

The role comes with benefits, and Hybrid ways of working in London. Please apply with your CV to j.shum@annapurnarecruitment.com

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Human Resources

Industries

• Insurance