Reward is about designing and implementing strategies that ensure workers are rewarded in line with the organisational context and culture, relative to the external market environment.

It requires specific knowledge in a range of specialist areas to be able to create and shape total reward packages. This may include:

  • Executive reward
  • International reward
  • Pay and benefits modelling.

Reward specialists will need a deep understanding different approaches to reward and benefits packages, and how to ensure that approaches are in line with relevant legislation, as well as the links to organisation and individual performance. You’ll also need to know practical elements such as how to benchmark salaries and determine pay based on external market factors such as scarce skills.

Reward is increasingly vocal; it sends clear messages about what organisations value, what they choose to reward, and not reward, and how this reflects the culture and goals. Reward gets to the heart of the matter, including what employees care about, such as being valued and their career progression, as well as the usual pay and benefits. A few clicks away and potential hires and existing employees can share their experience, which is critical when attracting and engaging the best people in a global marketplace."

Sylvia Doyle, Director, Reward First® People Consulting

Reward standards

Each standard progresses through four levels of impact. Which level do you most embody in your day-to-day work?

Foundation level Associate level Chartered Member level Chartered Fellow level
At this level you'll understand: At this level you'll understand: At this level you'll understand: At this level you'll understand:
Reward approaches Your organisation’s approaches to reward Your organisation’s reward packages and approaches, and how to administer them How to design reward approaches to attract, motivate and retain workers How to create a reward strategy which attracts, motivates and retains workers
Salary benchmarking What benchmarking and salary/pay surveys are How to create benchmarking data, working with salary/pay survey providers How to quality check survey and benchmarking methodologies, and assess the factors determining reward (eg scarce skills) How to draw insights and intelligence about the external reward environment, including competitor reward
Executive remuneration What executive remuneration is (remuneration for the most senior managers, board directors) The different elements of executive remuneration How to design individual executive remuneration packages and create new executive reward approaches How to create bespoke executive packages and how to design approaches to executive reward
International reward International reward approaches (eg tax, legal, works councils, cultural drivers) Reward models for different types of international moves (such as expat, secondment, local, local plus, relocation or spot bonuses) How to apply factors that impact international remuneration (eg tax, legal, works councils, cultural drivers, mobility payments) How to assess the organisation value of international reward approaches, and their impact on talent retention
Employee benefits What benefits are available in your organisation Different types of benefits and the merits of each (such as pensions and healthcare) A range of approaches to benefits and how to align benefits to create a total reward offering which is risk assured How benefits support the wider people agenda and protect the future financial security of the organisation
Reward and performance The links between reward and performance in your organisation How people and organisation performance can impact the approach to reward How business performance impacts and informs approaches to reward design How business performance impacts and informs approaches to reward strategy
Reward legislation Reward legislation relevant to your role The legislation that impacts reward practice (disclosure, tax, work permits, tax, pensions and benefits) How to design reward approaches that protect the organisation from litigation How to protect and insure the organisation from legislative changes which impact financially
Reward reporting Reward reporting relevant to your role The organisation’s reward reporting requirements (government, legislative, annual reports, shareholder, voluntary reporting) How to produce reward reports, including narrative and alignment to organisation strategy How to produce reward reports, including narrative and alignment to organisation strategy
Remuneration committees N/A The role of the Remuneration Committee (if applicable in your region) The responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee and the reporting requirements (if applicable in your region) How to protect the reputation of the Remuneration Committee externally, such as, investors, advisory bodies (if applicable in your region)

Tools and resources to help you develop

Assess your level, choose
your learning

Use our self-assessment tool to assess yourself against any area of the Profession Map. We’ll recommend relevant learning and resources to help you create your own professional development pathway. 

Full self-assessment tool (exclusive to CIPD members) Try our 'lite' self-assessment tool (free for everyone)
Callout Image

Next: Talent management

Ensuring the relationship between an organisation and its people is managed through transparent practices and relevant law

Continue to Talent management

The Profession Map

Download the full set of standards
PDF document 491.5 KB
Download a one-page overview of the Profession Map
PDF document 686.8 KB

CIPD Trust

Tackling barriers to work today whilst creating inclusive workplaces of tomorrow.

Find out more

Connect
and learn

We offer a range of ways to stay connected,from events to networking, workshops and webinars.

Get involved

Explore our related content

Factsheets
Workplace pensions

Learn about the UK law surrounding workplace pensions and how to choose new schemes or review existing pension arrangements

Factsheets
Reward: an introduction

Introduces the basics of reward, which includes pay and benefits, and outlines the UK legal position

Factsheets
Pay structures and pay progression

Outlines the purpose of pay structures and progression, including the common ways of structuring pay and determining, reviewing and controlling pay progression

Factsheets
Strategic reward and total reward

Outlines the main characteristics of strategic and total reward, and looks at designing and implementing a reward strategy across the organisation

See our Reward hub
The Profession Map

Make the most of the Profession Map

The Profession Map is for everyone in our profession – individuals and teams, members and non-members. Learn more about the Profession Map and how you can use it. 

Explore the Profession Map

Explore the purpose, values, knowledge and behaviours at the heart of our profession

How to use the Profession Map

How the international standard works for all people professionals

Find your level with the Profession Map

Find your current level of knowledge and experience and the next step in your career

Profession Map FAQs

Check out our FAQs on the Profession Map, membership, and qualifications

The Profession Map overview