Africa Reward Manager (South Africa and East & West Africa)

At Unilever, everything we do is driven by purpose. This is an opportunity to help shape a better business and a better world through the impact of your work.

We’re looking for a Reward Manager (Africa Reward Lead) to lead and manage the end-to-end reward agenda across the African region (SA & EWA). This role is responsible for developing and executing reward strategies that attract, retain, and engage top talent while ensuring alignment with global reward principles and regional business priorities. The successful candidate will act as a trusted reward advisor to senior leaders, driving excellence, fairness, and competitiveness across all reward programs.

You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that truly matters — for people and the planet.

Key Responsibilities

Reward Strategy & Delivery

• Develop and execute reward strategies across Africa aligned with global and regional business objectives.
• Adapt and implement global reward initiatives to meet regional business and market needs.
• Oversee the delivery of total rewards programs, including annual salary reviews, incentive programs, and pay equity analyses.
• Support organizational changes, including restructures, transformations, and mergers from a reward perspective.
• Contribute regional insights and best practices to global reward projects and initiatives.

Reward Business Partnering

• Partner with senior business leaders, Heads of Functions, Finance, HR, and other key stakeholders to provide strategic reward guidance.
• Act as a trusted advisor on reward-related matters, ensuring alignment between reward practices and business strategy.
• Provide specialist reward support to HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and People Experience teams.
• Enhance reward knowledge and capability across HR teams, leaders, and employees.

Governance, Compliance & Analytics

• Ensure reward governance, compliance, and policy adherence across all African markets.
• Conduct senior-level job evaluations and maintain reward frameworks that support organizational effectiveness.
• Lead market intelligence activities, including salary benchmarking, competitor analysis, and talent mapping.
• Monitor reward trends and external market developments to ensure competitive and sustainable reward offerings.
• Champion pay fairness, equity, diversity, and inclusion through reward design and decision-making.

Benefits & Financial Management

• Manage reward-related budgets and forecasting activities in line with financial policies and governance requirements.
• Oversee regional benefits programs and maintain relationships with external benefits providers.
• Evaluate reward tools, policies, and benefits offerings to strengthen employee value proposition and employer brand.
• Ensure effective management and administration of reward programs across the region.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the reward team to create a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Foster continuous improvement and innovation within the reward function.
• Drive a culture of excellence, accountability, and customer-focused service delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in reward management, preferably within a multinational organization.
• Strong understanding of reward strategies, compensation, and benefits practices across African markets.
• Proven experience partnering with senior leadership teams and influencing decision-making.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience with job evaluation methodologies, salary benchmarking, and reward governance.
• Professional reward or HR accreditation would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical capability and proficiency in data analysis tools.
• Financial management and budgeting skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy while delivering with excellence.
• Strong planning, organization, and project management capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Ability to prioritize effectively and focus on what counts.
• Resilience and ability to perform under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong understanding of external market trends and business environment (Stay Three Steps Ahead).
• Leadership and people management capability.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Passion for building high-performance teams and driving business impact.