Reward and Recognition Specialist (3250)
- Salary:£45,000 - £55,000
- Location:Go-Ahead House (East Croydon)
- Contract Type:Permanent
- Closing Date:7 November 2025
Reward and Recognition Specialist
Croydon (Go-ahead House)
Salary - £45,000 - £55,000
Purpose of role:
This role will support the design and delivery of GTR's cyclical and strategic reward and recognition activity. This includes supporting delivery of the annual pay compensation processes, job evaluation, pay benchmarking, benefits management, developing and maintaining pay structures and supporting with long service awards and recognition schemes.
Key Accountabilities:
- Support the Reward and Recognition Manager with the delivery of GTR's reward and recognition activities and processes
- Maintain the grading structure for Managerial and Administrative staff.
- Maintain the job description database and provide guidance and advice to stakeholders on creating meaningful and inclusive job descriptions.
- Undertake job evaluation for new roles or roles that undergo significant change.
- Support the planning and delivery of annual pay review cycles including collectively bargained and Management & Admin grades
- Timely and accurate completion and submission of group / industry salary surveys
- External market salary benchmarking
- Pay / cost scenario modelling to support reward BAU activity and wider reward strategy
- Support the development of reward guidance and processes such as secondments, allowances and overtime
- Pay Gap analysis, working in partnership with Talent, Diversity & Inclusion on pay gap reporting.
- Work closely with Data Analytics and IT to develop reward reports and dashboards through power BI.
- Manage, review effectiveness, and continuously improve all recognition processes including peer-to-peer ‘thank you', instant awards, long service awards, award nominations and social recognition.
- Work closely with the Employee Communications and Engagement team to co-deliver recognition plans, including events such as the long service awards and Star Awards.
- Work collaboratively with People Partners through the provision of reward expertise as required (ad-hoc or projects)
- Support with the ongoing management and review of high value GTR benefits contracts and wellbeing provision
- Promote GTR's benefits to employees in partnership with employee comms and engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including 3rd party suppliers
- Support with contractual, commercial and procurement activities
- Deputise for the Reward & Recognition Manager as required
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience in a Reward environment, or as a HR generalist
- Analytical skills with a keen eye for detail
- Strong excel skills with the ability to undertake complex data analysis, and clearly present findings
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to work on projects
- Strong interpersonal/communication and relationship building skills
- Experience of compensation surveys and market data analysis
- Proactive problem solver with the ability to work alone
- Ability to think creatively about employee recognition and solutions
- Strong attention to detail with a keen in interest in the Reward and People profession
Benefits
Pension
Staff Travel
Childcare Vouchers
Extra Holidays
Discount Scheme
Long Service Awards
Employee Assistance Programme
The Transport Benevolent Fund
In-House Occupational Health Department
Cycle to Work Scheme
Testimonials
What our staff say
“I work as part of the Fleet Infrastructure team, which means ensuring our 18 Engineering locations operate safely and efficiently. We oversee all building and track maintenance works as well as various minor and major projects across the network.”
Hannah Richards
Fleet Infrastructure Administrator
“I started in a small ticket office back in 1996 and have continued to work my way up ever since. A previous manager told me about a job he’d seen advertised for a trainer. ’d never considered a job in HR or mentoring before then, but he said I’d be perfect for it and I haven’t looked back since!”
Zoey Hudson
Head of Talent, Diversity and Inclusion
“Since April, I’ve helped to support our Kickstart Scheme. It’s been a really rewarding process to be part of because I know first-hand how tough it can be to find work once you’re out of it.”
Jack Gow
Mobile Station Manager
“I love the freedom that comes with being a train driver. Obviously, there are rules and regulations to follow as well as duties and commitments to carry out, but in a way, you’re sort of your own boss, which is nice.”
Ashley John
Train Driver
“I’m a Thameslink passenger host and team leader based at Luton station and I’m currently doing a Level 3 Supervisor apprenticeship so that I can improve my skills even further. I was hesitant to do the apprenticeship at first because of my age – I left school over 60 years ago without any qualifications! It’s been hard to get back into the routine of learning again.”
Bob Bryce
Passenger Host Team Leader
“It was my brother’s suggestion to join the railway. He was already working in the industry and knew I had some university bills to pay off so told me to give it a go, get out of debt and see what I wanted to do next. After a while, it just felt like actually – this is exactly where I’m meant to be. I’m part of a great team and the on-board department as a whole are brilliant to work with. I feel at home here.”
Tonderai Matizha-Johnson
Area Operations Manager
“When I saw that GTR was advertising places for its apprenticeship scheme I looked into it straight away because I thought it was a great opportunity to learn whilst getting real life experience in a 9-5 job. I applied for a level three business administration apprenticeship and was thrilled to find out I had a place on the course! I was so excited that I didn’t even mind it was based 250 miles away from where I lived.”
Harriet Dee
Team Administrator
“Working for GTR is very rewarding and fulfilling. You really feel like you're making a difference to customers, no matter what role you're in as at the end of the day they're the heart of our business. I’ve had lots of opportunities to explore other aspects of the business including supporting our station staff and gaining my Train Dispatch Licence which has been enriching for my experience here.”
Maggie Luckhurst
Platform / Train Dispatch
“If you’ve always had an interest in rail, or maybe you’re just curious to find out what working in the railway might look like, GTR is the operator to go for. Not many companies do an official work experience program and this unique opportunity will give you a good grounding with varied activities to help you find the best place in the railway for you. It certainly did it for me.”
Nathaniel Owen
Station Manager