Recognition and Reward Performance Manager chez Awepeople

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Recognition & Performance Manager

Location: Green Park, Reading. We will be relocating from our onsite Aldermaston base in early 2026.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000 dependent on skills and experience

Your opportunity to shape how we celebrate success and drive performance in a mission that matters.

AWE is looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking Recognition & Performance Manager to join our People & Places team. This is a unique opportunity to influence how we motivate, recognise, and empower our people whilst delivering one of the UK’s most important missions.

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

What you’ll be doing:

• Designing and delivering innovative recognition schemes that celebrate excellence, foster engagement, drive performance and align with our values.
• Lead the performance management strategy, ensuring our processes drive high performance, accountability, and continuous development.
• Partner with senior leaders to embed a culture of appreciation and performance excellence.
• Use data and insights to continuously improve our approach, ensuring it’s inclusive, impactful, and future-ready.
• Champion best practices and bring fresh ideas from across industries to keep us ahead of the curve.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in working with recognition programmes and performance management frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience of working in an HR environment, with a passion for people, culture, and driving meaningful change.
• Project management skills – with an eye for detail to keep projects on track and a focus for on-time delivery.
• The ability to work independently in an environment where you will be empowered to deliver.
• Experience in a complex, regulated, or defence-related environment is a plus.

Why join us?

• Be part of a purpose-driven organisation that helps keep the nation safe.
• Work with brilliant minds in a collaborative, open and inclusive culture.
• Enjoy flexible working, excellent development opportunities, and a benefits package that supports your wellbeing and future

​Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Ready to make a real impact? Apply now and help us build a culture where people thrive and performance excels.

#LI-SW

#LI-Hybrid

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. 
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.