Executive Reward Lead

Executive Reward Lead

Cambridge, UK

Competitive salary and benefits package

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier, working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

Are you ready to shape executive reward strategies that fuel performance and help deliver life-changing medicines to patients? In this role, you will lead the design and delivery of Total Reward for our most senior leaders, ensuring a sharp link between outcomes, accountability, and long-term value creation. Your work will influence critical decisions at the highest levels and power our ability to attract, motivate, and retain exceptional talent.

You will join a fast-moving, agile team that partners closely with Finance and the Company Secretary to align performance and pay, and that supports the Remuneration Committee with clear, data-backed recommendations. Imagine yourself translating complex analytics into compelling insights leaders act on, how would you make bold ideas simple, robust, and actionable?

Accountabilities:

Reward Strategy and Design: Evolve executive compensation philosophy and programs across base pay, annual bonus, and long-term incentives to reinforce our performance culture, talent needs, and business strategy.

Remuneration Committee Partnership: Prepare high-quality materials and scenario-based recommendations that inform decisions, strengthen governance, and tell a clear story of pay for performance.

Incentive Plan Governance: Oversee the end-to-end governance and operations of short- and long-term incentives, including rules, performance metrics, calibration, grant sizing, vesting outcomes, and malus/clawback processes—ensuring accuracy, control, and fairness.

Market Intelligence and Analytics: Lead market scans, peer group analyses, job evaluation, pay range management, and advanced modeling to maintain competitiveness and internal equity.

Stakeholder Leadership: Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, HR Business Partners, Talent, Finance, Legal, and external advisors; influence outcomes with objective insight and crisp communication.

Adviser and Vendor Management: Manage external consultants and providers to secure rigorous advice, value for money, and timely delivery.

Digital and AI-Enabled Insights: Employ AI-enabled and digital tools to elevate analytics, visualize scenarios, and communicate insights securely and responsibly.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Significant experience in executive compensation or total rewards within complex, multinational organizations; prior exposure to Remuneration Committee work and public company disclosures preferred.

• Deep knowledge of executive pay design, LTI instruments (e.g., RSUs, PSUs, options), performance metrics, deferral/malus/clawback, tax, accounting, and regulatory requirements across relevant jurisdictions.

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Economics, Business, or related field; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CCP/GRP, CIPD) is advantageous.

• Strong quantitative skills, including pay benchmarking, equity valuation, scenario analysis, and Excel proficiency.

• Experience in levelling executive roles, ideally using the IPE methodology.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex governance cycles, disclosures, and controls with high accuracy and confidentiality.

• Excellent communication, executive presence, and the ability to translate complex concepts into clear recommendations.

• Proven track record leading cross-functional projects end-to-end.

• Experience employing AI-enabled tools to support reward analytics, scenario modelling, and insight communication with a responsible and secure approach to data usage.

• Educated to degree level.

• Significant experience in reward management and delivery.

• Previous experience supporting preparation work for RemCo.

• Experience managing reporting required in advance of quarterly LTI grants.

• Experience levelling executive roles using the IPE methodology.

• Previous experience of executive cohort management.

• Experience calculating buyouts for new hires at executive level.

• Experience business partnering on complex senior executive hires particularly in the US, UK and Sweden.

• Cross-geography reward experience and knowledge.

• Demonstrates a high level of interactive communication experience.

• Through prior delivery can demonstrate creative thinking and innovation.

• Demonstrable ability to investigate and understand complex technical matters quickly.

• Understands enterprise drivers and implications for total reward and recognition culture.

• Experience in employing AI-enabled tools to support reward analytics, scenario modelling, and insight communication, with a responsible and secure approach to data usage.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Formal Reward postgraduate qualification.

• Experience in preparation for the EU Pay Transparency Directive.

• Benefits management and delivery experience.

• Confident and proactive in adopting new and innovative digital tools to simplify processes and communicate evidence and findings through digital methods.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, your expertise powers the engine behind scientific breakthroughs. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with diverse specialists across the enterprise, using advanced data, digital tools, and design thinking to solve real problems that shape how we grow. We value ambition and kindness in equal measure, creating space for smart risks, constructive challenge, and the freedom to own outcomes. Your work will be visible, high-impact, and directly connected to improving patients’ lives, supported by a collaborative culture that prizes curiosity, accountability, and doing things the right way.

Step into a role where your insight moves leaders and your decisions shape value, make your impact today!

Where can I find out more? 

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/ 

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/ 

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en 

Date Posted

04-Sept-2026

Closing Date

20-Sept-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.