Senior Vice President, Total Rewards

About the role

Reporting directly to and working in close partnership with Chief People Officer, Holly Tyson, the Head of Total Rewards will serve as a critical member of the global HR leadership team, shaping and influencing enterprise-wide People strategy, priorities, and decision-making. This role will operate at the intersection of business strategy and people outcomes, ensuring that total rewards programs are not only competitive and market-aligned, but also a clear driver of performance, culture, and long-term value creation at Cushman & Wakefield. As a strategic thought leader and innovator, the Head of Total Rewards will be accountable for the design, evolution, and governance of the firm’s global total rewards philosophy and programs. This includes executive and employee compensation, equity and incentive design, recognition frameworks, and benefits strategy, ensuring a cohesive, scalable, and performance-driven approach across all regions. The role will play a pivotal part in reinforcing a high-performance, pay-for-performance culture, while balancing internal equity, external competitiveness, and regulatory considerations across a complex, global organization. This leader will partner closely with People Partners, business leaders, Finance, and other key stakeholders to architect and implement enterprise solutions at scale, aligning total rewards programs to business priorities and workforce dynamics. In addition, the Head of Total Rewards will help shape and execute a forward-looking strategy to strengthen the broader People Services model, building a high-performing, agile, and insights-driven function supported by a strong leadership bench and engaged team. A key component of the role will be driving organizational capability by identifying, developing, and advancing top talent, while fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. The Head of Total Rewards will ensure that Cushman & Wakefield is well-positioned to attract, retain, and motivate top executive and professional talent globally, contributing directly to the firm’s growth agenda and long-term success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global total rewards strategy and execution across compensation, equity, recognition, and benefits programs; overseeing design, governance, communication, and administration of all enterprise-wide offerings, including executive compensation, annual incentives, and long-term incentive plans.
• Own and evolve the firm’s job architecture and compensation framework, ensuring roles, salary structures, and merit programs are grounded in rigorous market data and aligned to a clear, performance-driven pay philosophy.
• Continuously assess external market trends and competitive benchmarks, proactively adjusting programs to ensure Cushman & Wakefield remains competitive, differentiated, and aligned to evolving talent expectations across global markets.
• Ensure consistency, equity, and scalability across all programs, balancing innovative design with disciplined governance to drive fair and transparent outcomes across regions, functions, and levels.
• Partner cross-functionally to integrate total rewards with enterprise talent processes, including goal setting, performance management, and talent development, ensuring rewards are directly linked to business outcomes and individual performance.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and key stakeholders, building strong relationships internally and with external consultants to shape strategies that enhance the firm’s ability to attract, retain, and motivate top executive and professional talent.
• Champion a