Talent, Performance & Reward Lead

Function: People & Culture
Contract: Full time - Fixed term contract until the end of January 2026
Location: Pyms Lane, Crewe, CW1 3PL with flexible hybrid working

Bentley Motors is combining a world of luxury and progressive technology to embrace an electrified future. Join us as we embark on the most transformative phase in Bentley’s history.

Purpose of the Role
Join our HR function as the Talent and Reward Lead, where you'll be responsible for shaping and executing the strategic delivery of all talent and succession planning activities, whilst managing the implementation of key reward and performance initiatives.

Reporting to the Director – Centre of Excellence, the Talent and Reward Lead will play a critical role across three core areas: Talent, Reward, and Performance.

You’ll lead our approach to talent management and succession planning, driving forward our Employer of Choice strategic objectives, pathways into management development programmes, and promotion processes. From Q3 onwards, you’ll also take ownership of key reward activities, and the performance management framework. A key focus will be ensuring the performance review process strengthens colleague engagement, supports strategic alignment, and fosters a high-performance culture.

This is an exciting opportunity where you will have the chance to collaborate with HR Directors, the Bentley leadership team, VW Group, and progressive brand partners to deliver critical business projects in support of our People Strategy.

• Responsible for talent management, talent development and succession planning
• Bentley’s EOC strategic deliverables, pathways into management development programmes and promotion rounds
• Leading on reward activities
• Performance management in collaboration with Corporate Strategy
• On-going integration of new talent assessment pathways
• Review of talent management and development pathways in alignment with leadership and management development strategy, cost saving targets and functional development initiatives
• Gap analysis of talent management best practice
• Collaborating with Organisation Design and HR operations to ensure the right supply of internal talent to meet current and future business needs

• Developing initiatives to support talent retention including risk identification; coordinating activities to build talent pools and embedding talent management into related people processes
• Collaborating with the Business partners, TA teams to deliver succession planning aligned to VW Group and brand group plans
• Enhance current planning processes and principles and provide pragmatic tools to manage succession
• Enabling HR and senior/line managers across all functions with talent identification and effective talent planning for future key roles and skills
• Contribute to the development and implementation of process improvements, to optimise, improve consistency, reduce cost and ensure compliance

About the Team

The Talent & Reward team sits within the wider People and Culture Centre of Excellence team. The team plays a crucial role within the People and Culture function, driving key initiatives that shape the company’s future leaders and enhance overall career progression. Our team is at the heart of Bentley’s Beyond100+ strategy, working to ensure that our employees are equipped with the skills and opportunities to grow into future leadership roles. We focus on developing comprehensive learning, coaching, and mentoring programs, and play a pivotal role in managing the internal and external relationships necessary to deliver world-class development opportunities. Joining this team means working in a dynamic, supportive environment where your contributions directly influence the future of Bentley’s talent and reward landscape.

About you – Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable experience leading on HR Operations, talent, reward and performance, providing HR advice
• Experience within fast-moving, pressurised environments, maintaining confidentiality
• Experience of SAP HR / Success Factors HCM system desired
• Expert knowledge of UK employment law required
• Ability to analyse data, solve problems and use creative thinking to deliver solutions for stakeholders Experienced in process redesign, optimisation and transformational change programmes
• Ability to use own initiative, with excellent organisation/communication skills and high quality approach
• Experienced in delivery of customer-centric programmes and initiatives
• Ability to work well with key stakeholders including VW and Progressive brand groups, Board level and internal Business partners
• Daily team matrix management – ability to analyse skills gaps an build development plans

What Bentley Offers

• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid working options
• 35 days annual leave inclusive of UK bank holidays
• Progression pathways and programmes, mentoring, and study support opportunities available
• Optional car lease scheme with discounted access to brand new VW Group cars (VW, Seat, Skoda, Audi) up to every six months
• Health and life assurance benefits providing up to five times annual salary
• Contributory pension scheme – you put in 6% we put in 10%
• Access to a wide range of resources to support your health and well-being including an online GP, the choice to join BUPA health plans, a mental health counsellor, and onsite physio
• Paid volunteering days dedicated to community giving

The Bentley Campus
Our campus is going through an exciting transformation offering unrivalled facilities including green spaces, free parking, an onsite restaurant, coffee shops and Legends gym. 

#BelongingAtBentley
Motivated to be the most diverse, inclusive luxury car company, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered. 

We firmly believe in equal opportunities for all, helping all colleagues thrive as their authentic selves and reach their highest potential. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs, belongs at Bentley. Everyone is entitled to respect and dignity and we positively celebrate the differences between people.

Beyond100+
Bentley’s ground-breaking Beyond100+ strategy targets sustainable luxury mobility leadership, reinventing every aspect of the business. Building on over two decades of forward-thinking, join us as Bentley moves towards a sustainable future.

Closing date: 21st April 2025