Reward Partner

We are a world class research–intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high–calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.
Salary: GBP42,149 – GBP44,706 with progression to GBP50,296 per annum
Closing Date: 30 November 2021
Applications are invited to join our friendly and pro–active Reward team, part of the People Services Directorate.
This is a specialist Reward role, delivering a comprehensive, professional Reward consultancy and support service in line with our vision and values. The role is suited to a mixture of campus and remote work.
You will contribute to and manage the implementation and application of reward and recognition strategies that enable the University to deliver fair, transparent and equitable pay and benefit arrangements to colleagues.
You will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and negotiate at all levels. Previous experience of working in Higher Education and of working with Trade Unions would also be advantageous, but not essential.
For informal enquiries, please contact Paula Dodd, Head of People Solutions
Interview Date: TBC
The Role
To contribute to and manage the implementation and application of reward and recognition strategies that enable the University to deliver fair, transparent and equitable pay and benefit arrangements to colleagues.
Key Accountabilities
• Lead on delivering the pay, reward, recognition and benefits strategies to ensure the adoption of best practice and alignment to the strategic objectives of the University.
• Ensure reward and benefits strategies, frameworks and practice (both tangible and non–tangible) comply with University and HE sector regulations, governance and are legally compliant.
• Responsible for the successful delivery of annual discretionary pay review and Promotions processes to ensure the reviews are completed in line with the plan including, communication with key stakeholders, the preparation of communications material and papers required for University Governance committees.
• Undertake salary and benefits survey benchmarking and the analysis, interpretation and presentation of published data to enable the University to remain competitive and an employer of choice.
• To assess and interpret the outcomes of regular equal pay and gender pay gap reports and assist with action planning to reduce any gaps identified.
• Liaise with People Services colleagues and internal stakeholders across the University on reward related issues, providing guidance on reward frameworks, supporting with benchmarking roles vs. internal and external comparators, analysis and interpretation of reward data and making recommendations on approach.
• Manage the benefits proposition and create a Total Reward offering for colleagues.
• Manage governance and facilitate job evaluation, regrading and reward out of cycle activities and processes.
• To keep abreast of new and changing legislation/regulations that will have an impact on the reward landscape and address guidance and policy to reflect changes.
• Provide Line management for the Reward Analyst, identifying work and task planning and providing guidance on data and analytical requirements.
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Experience in a specialist reward and benefits or an HR analytical role, operating with a high degree of autonomy within a regulated procedural context.
• Experience of managing and implementing Reward frameworks/ solutions aligned to the organisation's Strategy.
• Good working knowledge of gender pay gap reporting requirements and data production.
• Good working knowledge of conducting equal pay audits and action planning
• Experience of working in a complex unionised organisation.
• Demonstrable success of building good relationships and partnerships with key influencers across the organisation.
• Experience of collating and analysing statistical information and producing clear and concise reports and recommendations for a wide audience.
• A knowledge of Job evaluation schemes and carrying out job analysis and chairing Evaluation Panels preferably HAY evaluation methodology.
• Experience of providing coaching and line management support.
• Dedicated active commitment to the promotion of equality and diversity through reward practices.
Attributes and Behaviour
• Proven capabilities as a team player, with a proactive and flexible approach.
• Excellent analytical skills, significant and advanced Excel expertise, with the ability to interpret data from a variety of internal and external sources, provide insight and make recommendations.
• Great attention to detail.
• Flexibility and pragmatism and the ability to deal with ambiguity.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present clear, well–structured reports and briefs.
• Experience of giving expert reward advice to colleagues and managers on reward related issues in a straightforward way.
• The ability to make logical, well–balanced and reasoned recommendations.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to coach, manage and develop colleagues' skills.
• Ability to work to project plans, manage stakeholders and monitor progress.
• Experience of working with confidential information and a good knowledge of data protection principles.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
Qualifications
• Chartered member of CIPD membership or equivalent experience in specialist or analytical field level
• Accredited Job Evaluation assessor (HAY preferred)
Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.
The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
We understand how important the full employment package is to our colleagues at Newcastle University and we are committed to providing a great range of benefits and discounts for all. You can learn more about what is available here on our Benefits Website page.
Requisition ID: 14081