Dan McHugh
Senior Reward Manager
Southampton
Summary
Strategic and results-oriented Senior Reward Leader with a proven track record of designing and delivering global reward strategies in complex, matrixed, and devolved environments. Skilled in aligning reward initiatives with business goals, influencing senior stakeholders, and managing cross-border reward programs. Brings deep expertise in pay structures, incentive plans (STIP and LTIP), performance frameworks, and global mobility. Known for advanced analytical and modelling skills, strong governance focus, and delivering cost-effective, compliant reward solutions across multiple jurisdictions.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Reward Manager Performance
Aztec Group
08.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: Leading provider of fund, corporate, and investor services with global operations across the UK, US, Europe, and the Channel Islands.
- Design and governance of long-term and short-term incentive plans.
- Development of employee performance and recognition frameworks.
- Leading provider of fund, corporate, and investor services with global operations across the UK, US, Europe, and the Channel Islands.
- Played a key role in a major investment transaction:
- Collaborated with external legal, tax, accountancy and other advisory teams to close legacy share schemes and implement new management equity plans.
- Co-designed a new management equity plan aligned with investor expectations.
- Introduced a new manager share buy scheme.
- Introduced a new employee performance process to drive alignment and accountability.
- Project lead for Workday performance module.
- Introducing a new sales incentive scheme for the US.
Reward & Mobility Manager EMEA & UK Reward Lead
Ogilvy
11.2021 - 08.2024
- Company Overview: Global advertising and consulting agency with 18 offices across EMEA.
- Oversight of executive remuneration and regional reward strategy.
- Management of mobility programs and compliance with compensation legislation.
- Global advertising and consulting agency with 18 offices across EMEA.
- Rolled out global job architecture across EMEA.
- Introduced a new annual pay review and short-term incentive process.
- Established a regional reward group to standardize salary benchmarking.
- Implemented new mobility guidance to support cross-border talent movement.
Reward Specialist
Abri Housing Association
09.2020 - 11.2021
- Company Overview: Social housing provider formed from the merger of Radian and Yarlington Housing.
- Harmonize pay structures and benefits post-merger.
- Develop and implement a unified reward strategy.
- Social housing provider formed from the merger of Radian and Yarlington Housing.
- Negotiated removal of legacy variable pay system, introducing market-aligned pay ranges—resulting in nearly £1M annual savings.
- Standardized maternity, paternity, and sick pay policies.
- Introduced a new job evaluation system and governance framework.
Senior Fleet Reward Manager
Carnival Corporation
10.2017 - 07.2020
- Company Overview: World's largest cruise company with over 150,000 employees across multiple brands.
- Partnered with CHRO to develop global retention and reward strategies.
- Led governance and alignment of fleet compensation across brands.
- Designed performance-linked reward frameworks and reporting tools.
- World's largest cruise company with over 150,000 employees across multiple brands.
- Developed internal salary survey and job leveling framework across brands.
- Introduced governance processes saving over $2M in the first year.
- Launched global retention scheme and cross-brand reward working group.
- Created in-house HR metrics database and facilitated annual reward conferences.
Fleet Reward Manager
Carnival UK
11.2012 - 10.2017
Global Remuneration Analyst
Rio Tinto PLC
09.2008 - 10.2012
Group Reward Analyst
VT Group PLC
07.2006 - 07.2008
Head of Staff Benefits
Barts and The London NHS Trust
10.2002 - 07.2006
Compensation and Benefits Officer
Ideal Hardware
08.2001 - 10.2002
Assistant Company Secretary
Securitas Guarding Services
08.1999 - 08.2001
Education
BSc - Food Marketing and Economics
University of Reading
01.1994 - 01.1997
HND - Agricultural Marketing and Business Administration
Harper Adams Agricultural College
01.1990 - 01.1993
Skills
- Leadership Development
Staff development
Performance management
Decision-making
Strategic planning
Operations management
Team leadership
- Focus Group Facilitation
- Public Speaking
- Advanced IT: Power BI
- Advanced IT: Outlook
- Advanced IT: Word
- Advanced IT: Access
- Advanced IT: Excel
- APM Introductory Project Management
- Leadership Development
Interests
A keen cyclist and regular participant in weekly Parkrun events, demonstrating discipline, goal-setting, and community engagement
Timeline
Senior Reward Manager Performance
Aztec Group
08.2024 - Current
Reward & Mobility Manager EMEA & UK Reward Lead
Ogilvy
11.2021 - 08.2024
Reward Specialist
Abri Housing Association
09.2020 - 11.2021
Senior Fleet Reward Manager
Carnival Corporation
10.2017 - 07.2020
Fleet Reward Manager
Carnival UK
11.2012 - 10.2017
Global Remuneration Analyst
Rio Tinto PLC
09.2008 - 10.2012
Group Reward Analyst
VT Group PLC
07.2006 - 07.2008
Head of Staff Benefits
Barts and The London NHS Trust
10.2002 - 07.2006
Compensation and Benefits Officer
Ideal Hardware
08.2001 - 10.2002
Assistant Company Secretary
Securitas Guarding Services
08.1999 - 08.2001
BSc - Food Marketing and Economics
University of Reading
01.1994 - 01.1997
HND - Agricultural Marketing and Business Administration
Harper Adams Agricultural College
01.1990 - 01.1993
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