Head of Global Compensation

Head of Global Compensation

UCB – Union Chimique Belge

Brussels, Belgium

About the role

You will play a pivotal role in strengthening the foundations of our reward architecture while accelerating digital transformation and automation across the function. Your mandate is to build a future-ready compensation ecosystem – data-driven, scalable, deeply aligned with business strategy.

You and your team will lead the design and delivery of our Global Compensation Strategy, ensuring it supports business goals and attracts, engages, and retains talent. You will drive competitive, equitable, and transparent reward practices. This is a key leadership role with a strong focus on governance, analytics, and continuous improvement across compensation policy and frameworks.

Who you’ll work with

As part of the Global Reward Center of Expertise, you will work within a team that partners closely with Human Resources colleagues, business leaders, digital and technology teams, legal, and finance across multiple markets. You will also collaborate with external partners to benchmark and strengthen our reward practices in support of our reward principles.

What you’ll own

• The development and execution of Global Compensation Strategy aligned with organizational goals and leading market practices, ensuring consistency, competitiveness, and simplicity across regions and business areas;
• Design of competitive and inclusive reward frameworks in partnership with senior stakeholders across UCB and external experts;
• Modernization of compensation processes and tools, driving automation, digitization, and improved employee and manager experience;
• In partnership with IT and digital teams, the design and implementation of scalable, integrated reward solutions (e.g., platforms, analytics, AI-enabled insights);
• Building out strong data and analytics capabilities to inform decision-making and elevate compensation as a strategic lever;
• Innovative scalable approaches through pilots and experimentation – continuously improving effectiveness and efficiency;
• Robust governance and compliance practices that promote fair and equitable pay practices across all regions while simplifying frameworks and enhancing usability;
• Leadership, mentoring, and development of an effective and engaged global compensation team and indirectly, ensure a strong local reward delivery network;
• Robust annual compensation cycles, including salary review, short and long term incentives and recognition programs.

What sets you apart?

For this role we’re looking for:

• A future-oriented compensation/rewards leader with a global mindset, capable of operating across diverse markets with complexity and nuance;
• A track record of designing and transforming reward functions at scale in global & regional setups;
• Strong digital and data acumen, with the ability to bridge HR, IT, and data ecosystems;
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business insights;
• A proven change agent, comfortable challenging established practices and driving adoption of new ways of working;
• Recognized ability to lead through influence at all levels and position Compensation as a critical business driver;
• A leadership style grounded in empathy and active listening, enabling integration of diverse perspectives, taking principle-based decisions and building trust across stakeholders;
• A strong commitment to inclusive leadership, ensuring fair, equitable, and transparent reward practices;
• A highly collaborative approach, working seamlessly across HR, IT, and business teams to co-create impactful solutions;
• Knowledge of pharma industry preferred, or adjacent, high expertise-driven industry;
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practices in pay equity and transparency;
• Strong academic and/or professional background in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Legal, Economics, or a related discipline, combined with deep global compensation expertise.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!