Sharon John, VP Global Total Rewards & Mobility at Thoughtworks

Episode notes

Building Trust in Compensation: Pay Transparency, Skills-Based Pay, and the Manager’s Role with ThoughtWorks’ Global Head of Total Rewards SummaryIf pay transparency is the destination, what foundations do you need to build first? Sharon John, Global Head of Total Rewards and Mobility at ThoughtWorks, shares a practical blueprint for designing fair, relatable rewards that employees actually understand. With two decades across tech, fintech, and financial services, Sharon blends the art and science of compensation grounded in governance, clear job architecture, and plain-language storytelling. She explains where rewards programs break down (skipping basics), how to equip managers to communicate decisions without jargon, and why skills-based pay is becoming the new currency. Sharon also details ThoughtWorks’ path to global transparency, how simulations can pinpoint inequities for targeted remediation, and the role of AI-era “hot skills” in retention. Expect clear guidance on lifecycle benefits, dual career paths (IC vs. manager), and a 30-day financial well-being experiment you can pilot immediately.

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