Head of Reward Operations

About The Opportunity

Are you a visionary HR leader ready to shape the future of Reward Operations for a global aerospace pioneer? This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-performing team within the Airbus Reward Centre of Excellence.

As the Head of Reward Operations – UK, you will hold a significant leadership scope, managing a team of 30 professionals and overseeing services for approximately 13,000 employees. This role offers a unique blend of transnational collaboration and real autonomy, allowing you to drive strategic innovation while ensuring operational excellence across our UK divisions.

You will lead a dynamic, transnational team currently pioneering the integration of AI into payroll workflows—offering you a front-row seat to the digital transformation of HR. This role sits at the heart of our UK operations, providing a direct link between global strategy and local employee experience.

How You Will Contribute to the Team

• Strategic Leadership: Act as the UK lead for the Reward Operations organization, setting a meaningful vision and objectives for your team of 30 that align with the wider Airbus strategy.
• Service Excellence: Ensure the seamless delivery of Payroll, Time, and Personal Administration services across six Airbus businesses, maintaining full legal and regulatory compliance (including GDPR).
• Innovation & Digitalization: Lead the implementation of AI and data-driven solutions to optimize costs, eliminate non-added-value activities, and enhance the employee experience.
• Transnational Harmonization: Foster alignment between UK operations and global Reward standards, driving standardization while consulting the UK HR community as a trusted partner.

About You

• Senior HR Leadership: Proven track record in a senior leadership position managing large-scale HR or Reward operational teams (30+ people).
• Technical Compliance: Expert knowledge of UK payroll legislation, tax regulations, and regulatory compliance.
• Systems & Data: Advanced proficiency in HRIS/HCM systems (SAP and Workday are highly advantageous) with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Project Management: Extensive experience leading significant organizational projects and change management initiatives.

Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth with customised development solutions.

What's In It For You

Financial Reward: Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options, car leasing scheme, free onsite parking, various optional salary sacrifice benefits, shopping discounts and much more.

Work/Life Balance: 35 hour week, option to buy/sell holiday.

Personal Development: Personalised development plan and unlimited access to 10,000+ E-learning courses, internal mobility including international opportunities.

Health & Wellbeing: Bupa health insurance (including assisted fertility treatments and gender dysphoria & reassignment support), wellbeing benefits (including 24/7 online GP and mental health support), discounted family health / dental insurance / eye tests, cycle-to-work scheme, on-site canteen and coffee shop, lunchtime yoga / meditation.

Family and Caregiving: Life assurance, enhanced pay for parental leave (23 weeks at 100% pay), adoption / shared parental / caregiving leave, purpose-built maternity rooms on site.

Inclusive Environment: Wellbeing room, Multi-faith room, Employee Representative Groups (Gender, LGBTQ+, International, Generational, Disability, Social & Cultural Diversity, Neurodiversity).

Security, Travel & Location

Security Clearance: You will be subject to BPSS and Export Control checks (including a criminal record check).

Travel Required: Some travel within UK and international.

Location: Broughton.

Type: Full time.