* Senior remuneration consultant, Watson Wyatt NZ
Pocket CV
Name: Sarah Coleman
2001 - 2004, Towers Perrin, London, consultant
1999 - 2001, Linklaters & Alliance, London, solicitor
1998 - 1999, Simpson Grierson, Auckland, associate, employment practice
Q: What were you doing before accepting your new position?
A: I was working in London as a consultant in the
executive compensation practice at Towers Perrin, another global HR consulting firm.
Q: Why did you apply for this job?
A: I knew Watson Wyatt from my time in London and, when I was thinking about coming back to New Zealand, I researched their Asia-Pacific operation and was impressed with what I saw.
Q: What are the major challenges ahead of you?
A: Responding to New Zealand's different market conditions and remuneration practices. In particular, pay for performance (especially in the form of share-based long-term incentives) is still an emerging area in New Zealand and one of the main focuses of my role will be to explore the opportunities surrounding performance-related pay plans with large New Zealand and Australian companies.
Q: What qualities do you bring to the job?
A: Apart from the necessary technical competencies and expertise in remuneration strategy (particularly executive compensation), an enthusiasm for the job, an inquisitive nature and an ability and desire to build long-term relationships with clients.
Q: What do you enjoy about working in this role?
A: I enjoy working with different clients and meeting their executive team to understand their business and strategy, as this is essential to developing effective HR policies and practices. I also enjoy the chance to be involved in different industry sectors and developing and implementing pay programmes that will be effective and that will incentivise employees.
Q: What does being a remuneration consultant mean to you?
A: Having the opportunity to work with a number of clients, with different business and HR strategies and issues, and bringing those experiences to bear when addressing new and challenging problems.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: Travelling, going to the gym and going out for dinner and/or drinks with friends (which undoes any good work from the gym).
