Full-Time | Permanent | Remote | Start date in April 2026
About Cognita
Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 21 countries, across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East, serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, 'Thrive in a rapidly evolving world'.
About the role
Are you ready to shape a reward strategy that makes a real impact? We're looking for a Reward Specialist who can bring expertise across compensation and benefits, with experience that goes beyond the UK. In this role, you'll influence senior stakeholders, manage key relationships with benefit providers, and play a vital part in ensuring our people feel valued and rewarded.
Based on our team structure we are looking for someone who has significant experience in compensation, leading pay awards and annual bonuses. This role is primarily remote with occasional travel required to our London Office at Eastcastle Street.
You'll thrive if you're analytical and commercially minded, confident working with data, skilled in advanced Excel, and able to translate insights into meaningful reward solutions. If you're proactive, driven, and keen to design and deliver competitive pay awards, this is an opportunity to make your mark in a role where your ideas and expertise will be valued.
This role is ideal for someone who is:
* Internationally experienced and culturally aware.
* Collaborative and engaging.
* Brings a composed, personable approach with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
* Comfortable working at pace and juggling multiple priorities.
* Genuinely passionate about creating a positive employee experience.
What you will be doing:
* Delivering clear, pragmatic advice on Reward & Benefits policies.
* Collaborating with HR teams across countries, to ensure alignment in communication and delivery.
* Design and implement KPIs that support equitable and strategic reward decisions.
* Monitor legislative changes and assess their impact on compensation and benefits.
* Support the annual pay award process and job evaluation activities.
* Lead compensation benchmarking using internal data and external reward surveys.
* Deliver UK gender pay gap reporting and support global ESG-linked reward projects.
* Manage benefits renewal processes and relationships with providers, recommending improvements aligned to our employee value proposition.
To view our Role Profile, please and to view our detailed Candidate pack, please .
Who we are looking for:
Experience:
* A minimum of 2+ years experience in Reward, Compensation and Benefits at Junior Manager, Reward Specialist or Senior Advisor level.
* Proven experience working with multiple countries.
* Excellent project management skills and stakeholder engagement experience.
Skills & Attributes:
* Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities.
* Exceptional communicator with a strong team ethos and people-first mindset.
* Organised, agile and comfortable managing competing demands.
* Naturally solutions-driven and committed to continuous improvement.
* High personal integrity and professionalism.
* Confident working both independently and as part of a remote global team.
Benefits at Cognita
* Competitive salary based on experience
* Private Medical Insurance & Healthcare Cash Plan
* GPPP Pension
* Life Assurance
* 25 days annual leave allowance (plus Bank Holidays)
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Employee Discounts Site
* Professional Subscriptions reimbursement
How to Apply
Please complete your application before the closing date: 15th March 2026.
We encourage early applications, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date for the right applicant.
Please note previous candidates need not apply.
Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.
Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant