Head - Rewards - FinTech

We're seeking a Head of Rewards to design and lead total rewards strategy for a high-growth fintech client on a pre-IPO trajectory. This leader will own compensation architecture, benefits strategy, and end-to-end ESOP program design, ensuring market competitiveness, compliance, and shareholder alignment.

What you will do?

- Lead annual and off-cycle compensation planning; define pay bands, incentives, and market alignment.

- Design and run ESOP programs: pool sizing, grant cycles, vesting/performances, leaver treatment, exercise mechanics, buybacks/secondaries.

- Establish governance: policy frameworks, Board papers, disclosures, Ind AS 102 accounting, tax coordination, audit readiness.

- Build compensation philosophy and communication assets; drive education on equity value.

- Partner with Talent Acquisition on offers and pay parity; with Finance on budgeting and dilution; with Legal/Secretarial on compliance.

Who are we looking for?

- Experience: 7-15 years in Total Rewards/Compensation; at least 5+ years leading rewards at a pre-IPO, high-growth tech/fintech; demonstrable ESOP design & administration expertise.

Technical Skills:

- ESOP/Equity: Scheme design, pool sizing, grant strategy, vesting/performance frameworks, liquidity planning, buyback/cashless exercise mechanisms, cap table impact analysis.

- Compensation Architecture: Leveling frameworks, pay ranges, fixed-variable mix, sales incentives, executive compensation, retention levers.

- Market Benchmarking: Experience with Radford/WTW/Mercer surveys; India tech pay trends; pay-for-performance frameworks.

- Analytics & Tools: Rewards modeling, cohort analysis, dilution math, scenario planning,

- Excel/Sheets wizardry; HRIS/Equity platforms (e.g., Qapita, Carta).

- Business Acumen: Strong understanding of fintech economics, unit-level metrics, and how rewards drive growth, profitability, and culture.

- Stakeholder Management: Comfortable presenting to founders, CFO, Audit/Comp Committee; can translate complex equity/tax/accounting concepts into simple narratives.

- Communication: Clear, credible storytelling with employees and leaders; policy drafting and change management expertise.