Head of Rewards

About the opportunity

We are seeking an extraordinary Head of Rewards to create, implement and deliver on a global rewards and benefits strategy that supports our current team of N26ers.

You will be joining N26 to build, lead and develop a team of dedicated professionals that provide expertise across reward, benefits and compensation framework. You will report into the Director of Labour Relations, Employment Law and Rewards.

We are looking for a multi-talented leader who is able to develop our rewards and benefits strategy. You will work on key projects. You will directly support the Management Board and the Supervisory Board on all Rewards related topics.

You take ownership very seriously and share your technical expertise with the whole team. You define how to operationalize within the function, working across a broad cross-functional range of stakeholders to drive change and at times creating work yourself if needed.

If you love leading talent and are passionate about pulling up your sleeves then this would be the perfect role for you.

In this role, you will:

• Using a data-driven approach, designing a rewards and benefits strategy and key rewards products at N26 and find opportunities to present, inform and educate on high-visibility topics ranging from salary review cycles, variable compensation to the gender pay gap.
• Design and manage N26’s ESOP scheme with a strong focus on clear documentation and information management.
• Act as the key liaison between the company and employee representative bodies (works councils) in the rewards area to ensure transparency, compliance, and alignment between the involved parties.
• Analyze current manual processes related to rewards and compensation, identifying opportunities for automation that streamline workflows, reduce administrative overhead, and improve the overall employee experience.
• Act as a key partner to the N26 management and executive team on behalf of rewards reporting back on key milestones, roadblocks and your team's KPI’s.
• Ensure all compensation and benefits programs comply with relevant local and international regulations.
• Conduct regular market analyses to benchmark N26's compensation and benefits against industry peers.
• Utilize data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions and maintain competitive positioning.
• Develop clear communication strategies to educate employees about compensation structures and benefits offerings.
• Lead and mentor the rewards team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
• Work closely with HR, finance, and executive leadership to integrate rewards strategies with broader organizational objectives.

What you need to be successful:

Background: 

• 8+ years of related experience in rewards and benefits in a global-matrix organisation, preferred in a global financial institution, or high-growth tech company with direct expousure to employee representative bodies (works councils) in the rewards area.
• Extensive knowledge of European compensation structures, benefits design, executive compensation, and incentive programs, including compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and cross-border compensation strategies.
• Familiarity with stock options, and other equity-based incentives, particularly in high-growth companies or startups.
• Expertise in using data to drive compensation decisions, assess market competitiveness, and measure the effectiveness of compensation and benefits programs.
• Ability to analyze and benchmark compensation practices against market data (e.g., salary surveys, industry trends) and ensure N26's offerings are competitive and aligned with business goals.
• A mindset focused on automating processes where possible to enhance efficiency in compensation administration and benefits delivery.

Skills: 

• Demonstrated people leadership experience, with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with an ability to connect at levels of an organisation.
• Data is your friend! You use data and research to inform your decision making.
• You speak English fluently. German is a plus.
• Very strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to effectively convey messages to different leaders and ensure team members. understand total rewards, policies and their accountabilities.
• Team player. Obviously. We work hard together, but we have fun along the way.

Traits:

• Actively help yourself (and others) be successful
• Continuously learn and challenge the status quo
• Think globally, act locally
• Strong bias for action
• Give and receive open, direct and timely feedback

What’s in it for you:

• Accelerate your career growth by joining one of Europe’s most talked about disruptors 🚀.
• Employee benefits that range from a competitive personal development budget, work from home budget, discounts to fitness & wellness memberships, language apps and public transportation. 
• As an N26 employee you will have access to a Premium subscription on your personal N26 bank account. As well as subscriptions for friends and family members.    
• Additional day of annual leave for each year of service.  
• A high degree of autonomy and access to cutting edge technologies - all while working with a friendly team of peers of diverse nationalities, life experiences and family statuses. 
• A relocation package with visa support for those who need it.

Who we are

N26 has reimagined banking for today’s digital world. Technology and design empower everything we do and it’s how we are building the global banking platform the world loves to use.

We've eliminated physical branches, paperwork, and hidden fees for an elegant digital experience and supreme savings. Giving people the power to live and bank their way is what gets us out of bed in the morning and inspires the work that we do. 

We are headquartered in Berlin with offices in multiple cities across Europe, including Vienna and Barcelona, and a 1,500-strong team of more than 80 nationalities.

Sounds good? Apply now for this position.

Equal Opportunities:

We recognize that our strength lies in our people and the varied perspectives they bring to our workforce. We strive to build talented and diverse teams to drive our business success and empower our people to reach their full potential.

We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, neurodiversities, and ages. We're committed to creating an inclusive workspace where everyone feels valued and respected, free from harassment and discrimination. If there's anything you need to make the application process work for you, please let us know by reaching out to [email protected]. 

Visit our website to learn more about Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at N26.