Summary
We’re looking for a Head of Engagement & Reward to lead our organisation-wide approach to people engagement, reward, benefits and recognition. In this role, you’ll shape a strategic framework that helps us attract, retain and motivate the people we need, ensuring our pay, benefits and engagement models meet our future demands while reflecting our values and organisational brand. You’ll influence senior leaders, work closely with stakeholders across our organisation and create approaches that support a fair, engaging and fulfilling environment for everyone who works or volunteers with us.
Salary: £74,724 - £89,700 based on experience.
What it's like to work here
You’ll join the People Engagement senior management team, part of the wider People Directorate, playing a key role in creating an environment where 14,000 number colleagues and 44,000 number volunteers feel valued, heard and supported. Collaboration sits at the heart of how we work, and you’ll partner regularly with directors, senior leaders, People Business Partners and experts across our organisation. You’ll represent us externally through benchmarking networks, specialist consultancies and sector relationships. This role is both strategic and hands-on, offering the chance to influence national-level decisions while staying close to the people and insights that shape our culture.
Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You’ll be required to work at a National Trust location for 40% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.
What you'll be doing
You’ll lead the development and delivery of our people engagement and total reward strategy, ensuring it is inclusive, evidence-driven and future-focused. Working across the organisation, you’ll influence senior leaders to strengthen role clarity, recognition and performance leadership, and drive approaches that make us a great place to work and volunteer.
You’ll own our pay and benefits framework, shaping and implementing sustainable reward models and ensuring compliance with employment legislation including equal pay and pay parity.
You’ll join us as we implement the final stages of a complete grade and pay re-structure and will apply your expert reward knowledge and change management skills to ensure we embed effectively and remain fit for the future.
You’ll lead the development of recognition approaches that celebrate contribution, ensuring people feel appreciated beyond financial reward. You’ll also lead our approach to staff and volunteer engagement, combining data and insight, working with internal and external experts to address feedback and embed improvements.
You’ll develop and oversee our organisational design principles, job evaluation processes and grading structures, ensuring our people frameworks are fair, transparent and effective. In partnership with colleagues across the People team, you’ll ensure consistent standards and support leaders to apply our principles with confidence.
As our engagement and reward expert, you’ll prepare content to influence senior boards and committees, including our Senior Remuneration Committee and work closely inj partnership with our Trade Union. This role carries great responsibility for having a national voice and for influencing significant budgets, including the annual pay award, benefit costs and project spend.
Who we're looking for
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet these minimum criteria:
1. Expert knowledge of pay, benefit and recognition models and best practice
2. Deep knowledge of employment law and risks relating to pay and benefits
3. Strong knowledge of employee engagement approaches and models
4. Significant experience in change management models and best practice
5. Clear strategic thinker and planner
6. Ability to work collaboratively and influence at a senior level
Additional criteria for all other applicants:
7. Research and analytical skills; able to distal quantitative and qualitative data into simple and understandable insight
8. Ability to communicate persuasively, verbally and in writing across broad audiences at all levels within an organisation
9. Leadership strength and tenacity to deliver change well and win hearts and minds
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
•Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
•Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
•Rental deposit loan scheme
•Season ticket loan
•EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
•Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
•Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
•Flexible working whenever possible
•Employee assistance programme
•Free parking at most Trust places