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*This is a hybrid-working role, with attendance in the Chelmsford office expected to be on average 1 day per week, depending on business need.
Please note we intend to invite successful applicants to interview in-person in County Hall, Chelmsford, on Tuesday 4th March 2025.
As part of the People Practice leadership team, this role will help to continually shape the total reward strategy for the Council, bringing thought leadership and expertise that enables Essex County Council to respond to our changing environment and realise our aspirations. You will have proven expertise in designing and managing innovative approaches to pay and reward, that maintain a high-achieving organisation culture, by delivering programmes that reward and recognise key employee capabilities, skills, behaviours, experience and performance and ensure that reward systems are market-relevant, fair, cost-effective and financially sustainable.
This is a specialist role leading on Pay and Grading (Policy, Governance and Guidance), Employee Benefits, Employee Recognition (Strategy) and Employer Pensions, as well as working closely with colleagues on the EVP for the Council.
Working at the centre of a wide business network, this role will work closely with the People Business Partners, People Consultants and other People and Organisation Development Leads, advising and influencing senior stakeholders to enable us to change what we do individually and as an organisation, aligned to our Workforce Strategy.
Accountability will include:
1. Taking the leading the provision of advice to the council on all pay, reward, employee recognition and employer pensions approaches.
2. Leading the design, development and implementation of innovative employee reward solutions, that maximise the employee value proposition.
3. Enhancing employee recruitment and retention policies while maintaining equal pay values, to make the council a highly productive and great place to work.
4. Developing strong relationships, building networks at both a local and national level, across a broad range of organisations to identify and source best practice on ECC reward and benefits policies and initiatives.
5. Developing, delivering and monitoring the effectiveness of a total reward framework that is aligned with our values, engages our people and enables us to achieve our Workforce strategy, being recognised as an employer of choice.
6. Taking a proactive approach to identify future pay and benefits trends, leading and influencing the development of a reward and recognition policy and strategy for the Council, that is fully aligned to business needs and the corporate plan.
7. Establishing and maintaining an annual pay, benefits and reward structure (including Pensions) across the Council, whilst continually evaluating the equality of the pay and grading structure and pay modelling as and when required.
8. Establishing relationships with Business Partners, Service Centre team and Employee Pensions team.
9. Supporting the Director of People & Organisation Development on the review of senior pay terms and conditions and allowances, within the context of recommendations, to keep abreast of innovation and best practice.
10. Taking the lead on the approach for job evaluation, developing supporting policy and processes that impact grading structures and job levels (career pathways, job families, and new models of pay).
The Experience you will bring:
1. Experience of designing overall reward packages to attract, motivate and retain individuals and groups, with the ability to articulate complex reward and benefits information, both verbally and in writing (including negotiating skills) and to meet business objectives and budget requirements.
2. Experience in Executive remuneration issues, approaches and policies and how to manage relationships at a strategic level. Proven experience in cross sector use of benchmarking, market data and salary surveys, to determine reward for critical and scarce skill and talent mobility.
3. Significant experience in managing business transformation and change programmes and projects, with the ability to develop business cases, identify risks and create appropriate mitigation plans.
4. Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience and provide evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area. CIPD membership is desirable. Subject matter expert in Hay Job evaluation and knowledge and understanding of Local Government Pensions.
Why Essex?
Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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