Head of Pay, Reward & HR Operations

About The Job

To submit an application, please contact Cathy Walsh at Triangle Partnership - cwalsh@trianglepartners.co.uk. Applications for this post close at 5pm on 28 November 2025.

Interview Date to be confirmed.

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, and as a member of the HR Senior Leadership Team, this post is strategically responsible for leading a first class pay, reward and HR operations service across the University.

The post holder and their team will heavily influence, at a strategic level, the University’s senior leaders on reward and recognition thinking, showing how reward and recognition schemes and vehicles can have a demonstratively positive impact on employee morale.

This key leadership position is also responsible for providing exemplary administrative and first-line HR operations services such as payroll, pensions and reward processing, HR handbook / contract of employment enquiry management, job-changer and job-leaver process management, as well as people development administration management.

With experience in critical data analysis, the Head of Pay, Reward & HR Operations will provide meaningful people data, for the HR Business Partnering, HR Policy & Wellbeing teams, and all UON leaders, in such a way that it turns data into useful dashboards and meaningful management information, for these internal customers, so that they can consider and understand what this data is suggesting and, potentially, what needs to change to make UON a better place to work. A detailed, yet strategic, brain is required for this post.

The post holder will be an experienced and competent leader themselves, able to inspire and give confidence to a team whose roles can be stressful. They will create an environment where their people are supported but driven to embody service excellence and behave in a way that always embraces the University’s values and behaviours.

As a senior HR practitioner, they will be tuned into current and evolving HR practice at large.

The Head of Pay, Reward & HR Operations will agree service standards with all internal customers and deliver a service which customers say great things about, seeking feedback on the service regularly. This service will be regularly reviewed and refreshed as the University’s people and culture needs evolve, with the development of the University Strategy.

We want you to be able to carry out your work in a way that best supports UON, and our students, but also you as an individual. We understand this may vary between different areas of the university as well as from one person to another.  With Smarter Working you can work with increased flexibility, if you would like to, which can facilitate greater freedom and autonomy. Our expectation is that this person will be on Campus, with their team, a minimum of 2-3 days per week, working remotely (if that would be helpful) for the remainder of the week.

About You

The successful candidate will be someone who, first and foremost, is an excellent leader, is service-oriented and employee-centred.

We are seeking someone who has experience of being responsible, strategically and organisationally, for leading an organisation’s total reward thinking, including payroll and pensions, but also with an excellent understanding of the benefits that flexible benefits, salary exchange benefits and formal / ad-hoc recognition schemes can play in improving morale and retention, within a workforce.

We also need someone who has experience of running a first-class transactional and administrative HR service, understanding the strategic relationship-building and service-level standards-setting work, which is required of a service of this nature, and of knowing how to solicit and act on internal customer feedback, with evidence of how services have been continually improved.

Qualifications

Essential:

• CIPD Level 7, or Chartered Member of the CIPP, other related HR, payroll or reward qualification, or relevant experience
• A degree or equivalent experience
• Evidence and commitment to continuing professional development

Desirable:

• Formal leadership or management qualification

Human Resources

We are human resources, where our role is about making work and the working environment as great for UON people. We are about all things people and culture.

About Us

At the University of Northampton, we are committed to supporting aspirations, creating opportunities, and delivering meaningful impact. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we foster a progressive, inclusive environment where excellence thrives for our students and staff.

Our People
Our staff are our greatest asset. We are dedicated to building an inclusive community that values diversity, promotes wellbeing, and supports personal and professional growth. By developing a first-rate People Strategy, we aim to attract and retain top talent, enhance career progression, and ensure that every colleague feels empowered to achieve their best.

Our Values

• Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to excel.
• Sustainability: We are committed to becoming a net zero carbon institution, taking collective action for the benefit of society and the environment.
• Aspiration: We strive for excellence in all we do, empowering our staff, students, and partners to reach their highest potential.
• Trust: We build relationships based on respect, transparency, and shared goals.

Together, we are creating a future where our community, our work, and our impact truly make a difference.

Right To Work

All candidates will be required to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK during the interview process. The University is open to considering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, provided that the eligibility criteria of the points-based immigration system are met.

Equality

We welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups.

The University of Northampton is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical, and sustainable environment that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment ensures an inclusive atmosphere for staff, students, and the public. We manage equality and diversity through key committees and formal policies, extending our responsibility to subsidiary companies and partnerships.

Together @ UON
Our Commitment to Equality and Inclusion

Together @ UON affirms our dedication to creating an environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equality. We aim to foster a space where all can thrive, aligning with our mission to transform lives and inspire change.

Commitments Include:

1. Creating an Inclusive Environment: Adopting a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and ensuring all activities are inclusive.
2. Supporting Students and Staff: Strengthening mental health support, enhancing disability confidence, and ensuring academic and professional support.
3. Tackling Inequalities: Involving students in recruitment, integrating forums for equality data analysis, and supporting networks for protected characteristics.

4. UON’s Major Commitments:

   • Disability Confident
   • Standalone Pledge
   • IHRA Working Definition

   For more details, visit: Equality and Diversity at UON