Pay and Reward Manager

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a well established and close-knit Payroll & Reward team in a position that will allow you to make a real positive impact in the effective running and continuing improvement of the department in general.

Reporting to the Pay & Reward Director you will be tasked with overseeing the payroll delivery and benefits administration for the EMEA region ensuring a “best in class” approach is delivered to both.

Key Responsibilities to include:

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processes across all EMEA countries, ensuring 100% accuracy and timely execution. Continuously improve payroll systems and workflows to enhance efficiency and mitigate risks.

• Lead the design, management and delivery of compensation and reward programs across the EMEA region, ensuring they are competitive, compliant, and aligned with both global and local business goals.

• Support the annual salary, bonus, and reward review process, collaborating with the HR Business Partnering team and Finance teams to ensure timely and accurate delivery.

• Manage the full lifecycle of benefits administration, from implementation to renewal, ensuring that all programs are fit for purpose, cost-effective, and compliant with local legislation. Lead negotiations with benefit vendors and ensure seamless communication of benefit offerings to employees.

• Take the lead for EMEA legal entity rationalization projects from planning stage through to completed implementation.

• Establish communication and engagement plans in conjunction with internal communication teams to ensure colleagues have an understanding of and engage with the reward offering.

• Conduct regular benchmarking of compensation and benefits packages against market data to ensure the business remains competitive, adjusting programs as needed to attract and retain talent.

• Ensure all compensation, payroll, and benefits programs are in full compliance with regional legislation, tax requirements, and company policies. Lead audits and ensure timely reporting to internal and external stakeholders.

• Build strong partnerships with HR colleagues, Finance and other internal teams to align reward, payroll, and benefits strategies with broader business objectives. Act as a trusted advisor on reward-related matters.

• Drive continuous improvements in payroll delivery, benefits administration, and compensation processes by implementing best practices, optimising systems and ensuring high-quality service to employees.

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Pay + Reward EMEA team to ensure high performance, ongoing professional growth, and delivery excellence across the region.

Previous knowledge & Experience:

• Previous experience in HR Payroll, benefit and compensation management.

• Proven experience in leading and developing a team and people previously.

• Comprehensive knowledge of Payroll, HRIS, and HR benefit back-office operations.

• Experience in departmental budgeting, strategic planning, and procedural change.

• Strong payroll and benefit skills, especially in configuration and reporting

• Strong Excel skills, especially with data analysis

• Willingness to set strategy and also roll up your sleeves

• System/payroll management experience in Dayforce is desirable

• Have a continuous improvement mind-set

• Ability to work under pressure balancing day to day priorities with project work

• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail

• Strong analytical skills

• Commercial and regulatory knowledge

If you are experienced in a similar position previously and are looking to take on a fresh new challenge working for an extremely reputable organisation based in Wakefield please get in touch for more information.

Sharp Consultancy is a finance and accountancy recruitment specialist assisting accounting and finance divisions of businesses in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire area. With over 30 years' experience we pride ourselves on sourcing excellent finance professionals across all divisions of an accounts function.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction. To apply please send your CV to the e-mail address stated, quoting our reference and specifying which website you saw this position advertised on. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within seven days, please note that on this occasion your application has not been successful.