Strategic Pay and Reward Manager

Job Introduction

Together, we’re delivering the future together and becoming an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. To achieve our goals, we need to transform how we work by redesigning our organisational structure, so we’re set up for success and sustainability in the future.

Our HR & Cultural Change service is at the start of its journey, to fundamentally change how it works to deliver the Our People and Culture Strategy, helping to make sure the organisation is well-equipped to respond to opportunities and challenges, now and in the future.

About Us

At Oxfordshire County Council, we are proud to be shaping a future that puts people and communities at the heart of everything we do. Our HR & Cultural Change service is a cornerstone of this ambition, driving forward our “Delivering the Future Together” transformation programme. This is more than a slogan—it’s a commitment to becoming an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. We are a forward-thinking, values-led organisation that dares to do things differently, and we are looking for a like-minded leader to join us on this journey.

About You

You are a seasoned HR professional with deep expertise in pay, reward, and benefits strategy. You bring a wealth of experience in job evaluation, equal pay, and workforce analytics, and you are passionate about using data and insight to inform strategic decisions. You are confident in navigating complex organisational landscapes and thrive in environments where innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement are key. Your leadership style is inclusive and empowering, and you are adept at influencing senior stakeholders, managing change, and delivering results through others. You understand the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion, and you embed these principles in everything you do.

You are also someone who sees the bigger picture—someone who can translate organisational goals into meaningful people strategies that attract, retain, and reward talent. You are comfortable working with trade unions, managing risk, and ensuring compliance, and you are always looking for ways to improve services and deliver value for money.

About the Role

This is a pivotal role within our HR & Cultural Change Senior Management Team, where you will lead the Strategic Pay and Reward function and shape the Council’s approach to total reward. You will be responsible for developing and delivering innovative, future-focused strategies that ensure our workforce is fairly and competitively rewarded. This includes overseeing our job evaluation framework, leading pay modelling and workforce analysis, and managing all aspects of pay-related policy and consultation.

You will play a key role in shaping the Our People and Culture strategy, working closely with senior leaders to drive employee engagement and build high-performing teams. You will lead a small but dedicated team, providing clear direction, coaching and support to help them thrive. You will also be responsible for statutory reporting, including the annual Pay Policy Statement and Gender Pay Gap report, ensuring accuracy and transparency.

This is a role that requires both strategic vision and operational excellence. You will need to balance long-term planning with day-to-day delivery, using technology and data to streamline processes and support evidence-based decision making. Above all, you will be a visible and values-driven leader, championing our organisational culture and helping to make Oxfordshire County Council a great place to work.

Following our service redesign, the new HR & Cultural Change operating model ensures everyone has clarity on their role and remit, while reinforcing a ‘one team’ ethos. This is an exciting time to join us, as we take the next steps in our service together.

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working 
• Technology to support agile working
• 30 days’ holiday p.a. plus bank holidays 
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk