Pay & Reward Specialist

Interim Pay and Reward Specialist Based in London Length: 3-6 months IR35 status: Inside We are seeking an experienced Pay and Reward Specialist to provide senior-level expertise across complex pay, grading and reward matters during a significant period of organisational change. This is a high-profile assignment for a seasoned reward professional who can provide authoritative advice on complex and sensitive pay issues, lead on job evaluation activity, and ensure the council's approach to pay and grading is robust, transparent and legally compliant. Key Responsibilities • Act as the senior professional lead on pay, grading and reward matters • Lead the resolution of complex, high-risk and contentious job evaluation and pay cases • Oversee the application and quality assurance of the Council's job evaluation scheme (NJC, HAY or equivalent) • Review and assure job evaluation outcomes, ensuring consistency, fairness and defensibility • Provide expert advice on equal pay risk, grading issues and reward governance • Work constructively with Trade Unions to resolve complex pay and grading issues • Work collaboratively with HR Business Partners, Employee Relations, Finance and Legal teams to ensure pay decisions are robust and compliant • Support the reduction of existing job evaluation backlogs through effective prioritisation and oversight • Set professional standards and provide quality assurance across pay and reward activity delivered by HR colleagues and external consultants Skills, experience and knowledge • Extensive expertise in public sector pay, grading, reward and job evaluation • Strong knowledge of local government pay frameworks, including the NJC scheme • Significant experience leading and quality assuring job evaluation processes • A thorough understanding of equal pay legislation, employment law and reward governance • Experience advising senior leaders and Directors on complex reward issues • CIPD Level 7 qualification (preferred) or equivalent senior-level reward expertise