Head of Reward & Performance (UK & South Africa)

About the role

De Beers Group is seeking a senior leader to head its Group Reward function across the UK and South Africa. Reporting to the SVP of Reward, Performance and Culture, you will shape the reward strategy, ensure alignment with business priorities and support the organisation through a period of separation and transformation.

Key responsibilities

• Define and lead the Group reward strategy and philosophy, ensuring alignment with long‑term value creation.
• Establish clear reward principles and non‑negotiables, balancing global consistency with sector‑specific competitiveness (mining vs luxury retail).
• Translate strategy into practical frameworks and policies for local HR Directors to execute.
• Own and maintain Group reward frameworks, including base‑pay grading, short‑term incentives, long‑term incentive and share schemes, benefits and pensions.
• Define governance, approval processes and control frameworks to ensure auditable, compliant reward practices.
• Lead reward design and decision‑making through organisational separation, ensuring continuity of reward structures, pension obligations and share schemes.
• Provide expert guidance on complex scenarios such as transfers, exits and restructuring.
• Act as primary reward advisor to the CPO, CEO and Executive Committee, supporting Remuneration Committees with proposal design and paper preparation.

Required profile

• Senior HR executive with extensive experience in reward strategy, design and governance.
• Proven ability to influence C‑suite leaders and work closely with Executive Committee members.
• Experience managing reward functions across diverse sectors, including industrial (mining) and luxury retail environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading reward transformation during organisational change or separation.
• Strong understanding of compliance, risk appetite and audit requirements for compensation programs.

Required skills