Key Skills

Job Description

Location: Europe, with regular presence in Germany Scope: Global Reporting to: Chief Human Resources Officer The opportunity Our client is a blue-chip, internationally operating business with a substantial presence across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Its scale, diverse workforce and combination of global operations and local markets make Total Rewards a critical part of its people and business strategy. We are seeking a Global Head of Total Rewards to lead this agenda worldwide. Reporting directly to the CHRO, you will set the direction for compensation, incentives, benefits and reward governance, and lead an established team. This is an end-to-end leadership role: you will shape the strategy, secure executive alignment and be accountable for implementation across regions. A central priority over the next 24 months is to design and implement a coherent short-term incentive (STI) programme across the organisation. In close partnership with the CHRO and business leadership, you will develop a framework that supports business performance, is financially sound and works for distinct employee populations and markets. In Europe, you will also strengthen the organisation’s job architecture and reward foundations. This includes clear job families and levels, consistent job evaluation, defensible pay structures and reliable data to support pay equity and transparency. Your responsibilities Own the global Total Rewards strategy and translate it into practical regional plans. Design, gain approval for and implement an organisation-wide STI framework, including performance measures, eligibility, governance, modelling and communication. Lead and develop the Total Rewards team, setting clear priorities and building effective partnerships across regions. Establish appropriate global standards while allowing for justified local differences in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Strengthen European job architecture, grading and salary structures, working closely with HR and business leaders. Guide the organisation’s preparation for and implementation of requirements arising from the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/970) and applicable national legislation. Oversee reward governance, annual compensation processes, market benchmarking and the effectiveness of incentive and benefits programmes. Advise the CHRO and senior leaders on complex reward decisions, organisational change and the financial and talent implications of proposed programmes. What you must bring We are looking for a proven global leader. Previous responsibility for a genuinely global Total Rewards agenda is essential. This is not a first step from regional leadership into a worldwide remit. You will bring: A track record as the accountable leader for Total Rewards across multiple regions, including Europe and substantial exposure to both the Americas and Asia. First-hand experience designing and implementing a broad STI programme at global scale. You can explain the choices you made, how you secured approval, how the programme was rolled out and what changed as a result. Experience leading a specialist reward team and influencing senior business and HR leaders across a complex international organisation. Deep expertise in compensation strategy, incentive design, job architecture, job evaluation, salary structures and reward governance. Practical experience with European pay equity and pay transparency work, including gender-neutral job evaluation and preparation for the EU Pay Transparency Directive. The ability to combine strategic judgement with detailed financial modelling, data analysis and disciplined execution. Experience balancing global consistency with local legal, market and operational requirements. The willingness and ability to spend approximately three days per week with key stakeholders in Germany. Excellent English communication skills. German is valuable but is not stated as a prerequisite. You may have built this experience in an international industrial, distribution, consumer, healthcare, technology or other complex blue-chip environment. Sector familiarity is helpful; demonstrated global ownership and delivery matter more. Why consider this role? This is an opportunity to work directly with a CHRO on a consequential global reward agenda, lead an established team and leave a measurable mark on how a major international business structures roles and rewards performance. For a confidential discussion, please contact Noest & Partners. writing or just apply directly and we will get in touch with you

Core Responsibilities

Lead the global Total Rewards strategy and team, including designing and implementing an organisation-wide short-term incentive programme and overseeing compensation, benefits, governance, and annual reward processes. Strengthen European job architecture and pay foundations, guide preparation for pay transparency requirements, and advise senior leaders on reward decisions and their financial and talent implications.

Requirements

Requires proven accountability for a global Total Rewards agenda across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, including first-hand experience designing and implementing a global short-term incentive programme. Candidates should bring deep expertise in compensation, job architecture, pay equity and transparency, financial modelling, and international stakeholder leadership, and be able to spend approximately three days per week with stakeholders in Germany.