The Role

As our Group Reward Manager, you`ll work closely with the Head of Reward and other stakeholders to evolve an innovative and commercial reward strategy for Unite Students.

You will work across a wide spectrum of reward topics including compensation, benefits, pensions, share schemes and executive reward, in collaboration with the wider Reward and People team. You`ll play a pivotal role in operationalising our reward strategy, ensuring that our approaches align with broader business objectives and enhance our employee experience.

Your work will be instrumental in supporting our talent retention and acquisition strategies, driving employee engagement, and maintaining operational excellence in all reward-related activities.

What You`ll Be Doing

• Co-Creation of Reward and Benefits Strategy/Approaches: Work in partnership with the Head of Reward, stakeholders and teams to co-create new reward and benefits approaches that address specific business needs. Provide operational insight to ensure that these initiatives are practical, innovative, and aligned with our broader talent and organisational goals.
• Operationalise the Reward Strategy: Implement and manage the day-to-day execution of our reward strategy (including executive reward), ensuring all policies and practices align with our overall business objectives. Collaborate closely with the People Partnering and Operations team, and other stakeholders, to ensure the strategy is embedded effectively across the organisation.
• Lead Reward Program Execution: Manage and oversee the delivery of core reward programs, including annual salary reviews, bonus schemes, and benefits administration, ensuring they are executed with precision, efficiency, and in line with company objectives.
• Relationship Building with Business Leaders: Develop and maintain strong relationships with business leaders across the organisation to ensure our reward programs and approaches are fit for purpose and aligned with our goal of building a great place to work.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Continuously review and refine reward processes, ensuring they are efficient, effective, and aligned with external best practices. Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in how we manage and deliver rewards across the business.
• Oversee Compliance and Governance: Ensure all reward programs comply with relevant legislation and governance requirements. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment laws and regulations, adapting policies as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Conduct Data Analysis and Reporting: Lead data analysis efforts related to reward, providing insights and reports that inform decision-making. Manage regular reporting cycles, including pay equity analysis, gender pay gap reporting, and other key metrics.
• Manage External Relationships: Liaise with external suppliers and partners, including benefits providers and compensation consultants, to ensure we are delivering competitive and relevant reward offerings.
• Mentor and Develop Team Members: Provide guidance, support, and development opportunities to ensure the team operates at its highest potential.
• Ad Hoc Projects: Take on additional projects as required to support the People Team and broader business goals. These may include initiatives that enhance employee experience, drive engagement, or support organisational change.
• Deputize for the Head of Reward: Stand in for the Head of Reward where required, including working with senior stakeholders on executive reward matters.

What We`re Looking for in You

• Reward Expertise: Demonstrated experience in managing the operational aspects of reward programs in a complex organisation, with a deep understanding of compensation, benefits, and related HR processes.
• Operational Excellence: Strong track record of successfully implementing reward strategies and programs, with a focus on efficiency, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Co-Creation and Collaboration: Experience in co-creating solutions with stakeholders, demonstrating the ability to engage others in the design and implementation of reward initiatives that meet business needs.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse complex data and present insights clearly and effectively to stakeholders at all levels. Proficient in using analytical tools and software, with strong attention to detail.
• Compliance Knowledge: Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment legislation and compliance requirements related to reward and benefits.
• Relationship Building: Proven ability to build strong relationships with business leaders, ensuring that reward programs are aligned with organisational goals and contribute to creating a great place to work.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.

What You`ll Get in Return

• We will consider full time and part time hours for this role
• A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company`s success
• 25 days` paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
• A generous pension scheme - employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
• Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
• Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents
• Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK`s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn`t just what we do but who we are.

People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone

We`re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we`re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what`s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.

We are US.