Reward Specialist

Are you an experienced reward professional looking for an opportunity to use your expertise to help shape organisational decision making and make a meaningful impact?

The People Unit works in partnership with leaders across the organisation to attract, develop and retain talented people. Within the People Unit, the Reward team provides specialist expertise across reward, recognition, benefits and job evaluation, helping ensure our reward approaches are fair, evidence-based and aligned with Civil Service principles.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small but highly visible team where you will have the chance to influence organisation-wide decisions, work with senior stakeholders and help shape the future of reward at the Planning Inspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

You'll play a key role in shaping and delivering the Planning Inspectorate's reward offer, helping to ensure our pay, benefits and job evaluation frameworks are fair, effective and support our organisational priorities.

Working closely with colleagues across the People Unit and the wider business, you'll provide expert advice on reward matters, analyse data to inform decision making, and contribute to projects that enhance our people policies and employee experience. You'll also support the governance of our job evaluation framework, deliver assurance activities and help ensure reward processes are delivered to a high standard.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence organisation-wide initiatives that directly impact our people. The role offers a unique blend of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, giving you the chance to shape policies, improve processes and help drive positive change.

We're looking for someone who is curious, analytical and solutions-focused. You'll enjoy working with data, identifying opportunities for improvement and translating complex information into clear, practical advice. You'll be confident building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can evolve.

You'll have an interest in reward and people practices, a strong eye for detail, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes. You'll enjoy improving processes, building collaborative relationships and finding practical solutions to complex challenges.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is being advertised at SEO Grade which has a salary of £46,689.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at our office in Bristol, 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview. Excitingly, we're relocating to a brand-new office in December, while maintaining excellent transport links with Bristol Temple Meads station just a 10 minute walk away.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
• A Personal Statement (1000 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert.

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, strength, experience and technical questions
• Need to prepare and deliver a presentation

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.

Other Information

Shortlist Date: 24th September & 25th September 2026

Interview Date: 7th October 2026 – 12th October 2026

Interviews will be held at our office in Bristol, 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station.

The Planning Inspectorate does not fund travel and subsistence for candidates to attend interviews.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 9 months from which further appointments can be made.

Future Matches

Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.

We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.

ID and Documents

If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.

Security Check

In addition to the BPSS, the level of security clearance required for this role is Security Check (SC) and the process can take a number of weeks to complete. For more details of vetting levels and requirements please refer to the Cabinet Office HMG Personnel Security Controls.

Existing Civil Servants should ensure that they have an in-principle agreement for a loan prior to applying.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.