Reward Manager

About Summerset Retirement Villages

At Summerset, we are dedicated to fostering lively, fulfilling communities where our residents can enjoy the lifestyle they desire. Our committed support office team enables nearly 3,500 employees across New Zealand and Australia to perform at their best.

Role Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Reward Manager to join our People & Culture Shared Services team. This senior specialist position entails overseeing remuneration and reward strategies for Australia and New Zealand, focusing on developing fair, competitive, and commercially viable reward systems as the company expands.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continual refinement of Summerset’s reward and remuneration frameworks throughout New Zealand and Australia.
• Manage the annual pay review process, which includes planning, conducting analyses, formulating recommendations, preparing governance documentation, and guiding leadership.
• Offer expert guidance on complex pay scenarios involving IEAs, CEAs, unions, collective bargaining, and internal pay equity.
• Ensure Australian remuneration designs adhere to compliance standards and Modern Awards, including pay structure arrangements.
• Oversee and improve short-term incentives (STI), long-term incentives (LTI), employee benefits, recognition programs, and rewards to align with business goals and remain competitive.
• Utilize market data, benchmarking, and internal analytics to inform executive, leadership, and Board-level decision-making.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across People & Culture, Finance, Legal, Payroll, and senior management to maintain clear governance and execution of reward policies.
• Work alongside a remuneration-savvy reporting analyst and shared service coordinators during peak cycles and remuneration reviews.

Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated remuneration and reward expertise within complex organizational settings.
• Comprehensive knowledge of New Zealand and Australian remuneration practices, with hands-on experience in Australian Modern Awards and packaging structures.
• Proven ability to advise on challenging employment frameworks including IEAs, CEAs, union-related concerns, and collective bargaining.
• Experience in designing, evaluating, or managing salary structures, benefits, incentive schemes, and recognition initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills to translate remuneration data and market insights into actionable recommendations.
• Credibility to influence senior leadership with practical, commercially grounded reward advice.
• Exceptional judgment, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of governance, confidentiality, and risk management.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement, thriving in a growing and evolving organizational environment.

Additional Information

This role offers a unique chance for a reward expert to collaborate closely with executive leadership, particularly the Chief People Officer, and significantly shape the reward landscape supporting a growing workforce across two countries.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements including up to two work-from-home days weekly.
• Positions based in Auckland or Wellington.
• Complimentary Southern Cross Health Essentials coverage.
• Opportunity to make a visible impact within a rapidly expanding organization of nearly 3,500 employees.

Application

If you thrive in managing intricate and evolving remuneration frameworks and want to contribute to a purpose-driven company, we encourage your application. The deadline for applications is 1 August 2026.