Global Head of Compensation

Our client is a boutique financial services firm with an established international presence and a reputation for attracting exceptional talent. The firm operates a highly collaborative, performance-driven culture where individuals are empowered to make a meaningful impact, and where reward plays a critical role in supporting business growth, talent retention, and long-term performance.

As the organization continues to evolve, it is seeking a Global Head of Compensation to join its Human Resources leadership team. This is a highly visible role offering direct exposure to senior executives and key business leaders across the organization.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced compensation professional to step into a broad and influential role, taking ownership of the firm's compensation strategy, planning processes, governance activities, and executive-level reward initiatives. The position offers the opportunity to combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution within a lean, high-performing environment.

The Human Resources function operates as a commercially focused team that partners closely with leadership across the business. Working alongside Finance, Legal, and senior stakeholders, the team plays a critical role in ensuring compensation programs remain competitive, scalable, and aligned with organizational objectives.

The successful candidate will join during an important phase of the firm's ongoing growth and will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability. This role will suit an individual who is comfortable navigating complexity, managing sensitive matters, and acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.

As Global Head of Compensation, you will lead and support a broad range of compensation activities across the organization. You will partner with senior leadership, Finance, and Human Resources teams to provide expert advice on compensation matters, oversee key reward processes, and drive continuous improvement across the compensation function.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the firm's global compensation planning and workforce budgeting processes in partnership with Finance and Human Resources stakeholders.
• Partnering with senior business leaders to support compensation decision-making, organizational planning, and talent management initiatives.
• Developing executive-level materials, analyses, and recommendations to support governance forums and senior leadership discussions.
• Building financial and workforce models to support compensation planning, forecasting, and strategic decision-making.
• Acting as a trusted advisor on compensation-related matters including hiring, promotions, retention, and organizational changes.
• Supporting the development and enhancement of compensation frameworks, governance processes, and reward strategies.
• Providing market intelligence, benchmarking analysis, and reward insights to support competitive compensation programs.
• Identifying opportunities to improve compensation processes, reporting capabilities, and operational effectiveness.
• Maintaining high levels of data integrity across compensation reporting, analytics, and supporting systems.
• Managing compensation technology platforms and supporting annual planning and reward review cycles.
• Partnering with stakeholders across Human Resources, Finance, and Legal to support regulatory, disclosure, and governance requirements.
• Supporting equity and long-term incentive programs in collaboration with relevant internal stakeholders.
• Delivering data-driven insights and recommendations to senior leadership to support informed business decisions.
• Leading and contributing to strategic reward projects and broader people-related initiatives as required.

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification required.
• Demonstrated compensation leadership experience within a complex corporate, financial services, or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives and preparing materials for executive leadership and governance forums.
• Strong understanding of compensation strategy, incentive design, workforce planning, market benchmarking, and compensation governance.
• Advanced analytical and financial modelling capabilities with strong Excel skills.
• Experience working with compensation planning platforms, HR systems, and reporting tools.
• Proven ability to analyse large data sets and translate findings into practical business recommendations.
• Strong understanding of compensation administration, budgeting, forecasting, and annual reward processes.
• Experience supporting compensation-related regulatory, governance, or reporting activities is advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Interest in leveraging technology, automation, and AI solutions to enhance compensation processes and reporting.

Personal attributes:

• Highly analytical with exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Comfortable operating independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
• Credible and confident communicator with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Resourceful and proactive, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong data storytelling skills with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented, with excellent stakeholder management capabilities.
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a dynamic environment.
• High levels of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Solutions-focused with the ability to identify risks, opportunities, and practical recommendations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines effectively.
• Curious about emerging technologies and innovative approaches to reward, analytics, and workforce decision-making.