Reward and Pensions Advisor (Projects)

Join us in shaping the future of reward and pensions.

Manchester Met is a people-focused, values-led university committed to transforming lives Transforming lives through the power of education and research. As part of our People & Organisational Development Directorate, we are investing in our Reward & Pensions function and are seeking two talented Reward & Pensions Advisers (Projects) to help deliver an ambitious programme of reward, pay, and pensions transformation.

We are recruiting:

• 1 Permanent Reward & Pensions Adviser (Projects)
• 1 Fixed-Term Reward & Pensions Adviser (Projects) (12-month contract)

These are exciting opportunities for experienced HR, reward or pensions professionals who enjoy combining project delivery, data analysis, process improvement and stakeholder engagement to make a real organisational impact.

About the role

Working within the Reward & Pensions team, you will play a key role in delivering projects that support the University's strategic priorities.

You will lead and contribute to a diverse portfolio of initiatives including pay and promotions process redesign, reward and benefits enhancements arising from employee feedback, pay and grading reviews, and the development of reward strategies that support attraction, retention and colleague experience. You will also help identify opportunities to simplify and automate processes through digital solutions, improving efficiency, strengthening governance and enhancing service delivery for the University. Working closely with HR colleagues, senior leaders, managers, Finance teams and external providers, you will help deliver innovative solutions that improve our reward offering and the services we provide to colleagues across the University.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading reward and pensions projects from scoping through to implementation.
• Developing business cases, recommendations and project plans.
• Using workforce data, benchmarking information and market intelligence to inform reward decisions.
• Reviewing and improving processes to increase efficiency, reduce manual activity and enhance service quality.
• Supporting the development and implementation of reward, benefits and pensions policies and initiatives.
• Producing insightful reports and presentations for senior stakeholders and governance groups.
• Building strong relationships across the University and influencing positive change.
• Contributing to a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making.

About you

We're looking for someone who combines strong project management skills with a passion for reward, pensions and service improvement.

You will have:

• Experience delivering projects and managing competing priorities.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience interpreting and presenting complex data and information.
• Knowledge of reward, pay, pensions, benefits or HR-related practices.
• Strong analytical skills, including confidence using Excel, HR systems and data reporting tools to generate meaningful insights.
• The ability to influence and build relationships across a range of stakeholders.
• A customer-focused mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.

You will ideally be CIPD qualified (or working towards qualification) or be able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.

Experience of reward, pensions, job evaluation, pay benchmarking, HR systems and employment legislation would be advantageous.

How to apply

Please submit a CV and a Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages) that clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the Job Description (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button).

Use your cover letter to provide specific examples of your skills and experience relevant to the role - Please note, applications without a cover letter may not be considered at shortlisting stage.

Interview Dates

2nd October 2026

We would encourage candidates to make note of these dates in the event that you are successfully shortlisted.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the Job Description for that vacancy.