Executive Director – Total Rewards

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of and advance the enterprise total rewards philosophy, strategy, and multi-year roadmap in collaboration with the CHRO and executive leadership team.

• Ensure that programs facilitate the retention of critical talent, scalability, and performance differentiation during periods of growth, restructuring, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

• Align total rewards investments with financial strategies, workforce planning, and long-term business objectives.

• Provide guidance to HR leadership and business executives regarding compensation, benefits, and total rewards governance.

• Present the total rewards strategy to the Board and Compensation Committee, preparing materials for executive and Board-level discussions.

• Establish compensation architecture, global salary structures, incentive plan designs, and the compensation philosophy.

• Oversee executive compensation programs, including equity, in collaboration with the Chief People Officer (CPO) and external counsel or consultants.

• Direct annual merit, bonus, and equity planning cycles.

• Lead market analyses and benchmarking efforts across various geographies.

• Provide advice on organizational design, workforce planning, and retention strategies.

• Oversee health, wellness, retirement, absence, benefits governance, and wellbeing strategies.

• Manage the strategy and execution of open enrollment.

• Govern total rewards operations, audits, renewals, and annual cycles.

• Manage relationships with external partners, consultants, and vendors while negotiating enterprise agreements.

• Propel process transformation and develop a scalable total rewards infrastructure.

• Ensure data integrity and governance across HRIS platforms and vendor integrations.

• Oversee compliant payroll processing across various jurisdictions.

• Set the strategic agenda for HRIS data, analytics, and modern technology tools.

• Advocate for automation and AI in compensation benchmarking, pay equity analysis, and workforce insights.

• Establish enterprise metrics and executive dashboards, translating insights into actionable recommendations.

• Ensure that technology usage complies with privacy, regulatory, and ethical standards.

• Collaborate with the CEO, CFO, General Counsel, and business leaders on total rewards initiatives.

• Manage total rewards communications and enhance capabilities among managers and HR Business Partners (HRBPs).

• Build, lead, and develop a global total rewards organization encompassing compensation, benefits, systems, and payroll.

• Cultivate future total rewards leaders through coaching, succession planning, and structured development programs.

• Promote collaboration, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.

⛳️ Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive experience in total rewards.

• 8+ years in a senior leadership position overseeing compensation, benefits, and/or HRIS/payroll functions.

• Proven experience in owning total rewards strategy at an enterprise or executive level.

• Direct experience with Board or Compensation Committee reporting.

• Skilled in designing and governing compensation and benefits programs, including executive compensation, within complex, global organizations.

• In-depth knowledge of compensation governance, equity administration, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

• Experience in leading total rewards initiatives through high-growth, transformation, or M&A environments, including due diligence and post-merger integration.

• Strong analytical skills with a focus on financial and executive-level metrics.

• Proficient in leveraging data, analytics, and HR technology.

• Experience collaborating with global teams, including talent based in India and/or the EU.

• Extensive HRIS knowledge; familiarity with Dayforce is highly preferred.

• Exceptional influencing and communication skills with the ability to establish credibility with the CEO, CFO, and Board members.

• Experience preparing compensation-related materials for a Board, Compensation Committee, or in the context of public company disclosures.

• Willingness to travel approximately 20–25% annually.

• Background in technology companies, particularly SaaS, and exposure to private equity ownership is highly preferred.

• Experience leading a company to be self-funded or self-insured.

• Proven track record in spearheading enterprise-wide modernization or transformation of total rewards programs or processes.

• Familiarity with AI, automation, or advanced analytics solutions within HR or business operations.

• CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) or equivalent certification.

• An MBA is preferred.

• Commercially minded and results-oriented.

• Strong governance and risk awareness, complemented by executive presence.

• Comfortable operating in a technology-enabled and rapidly evolving environment.

• Ability to translate data and emerging capabilities into practical, business-relevant applications.

• Skilled in building trust and fostering collaboration among executive and business stakeholders.

• Capacity to balance strategic enterprise-level thinking with hands-on execution.

🏝️ Benefits

• Bonus

• Health insurance

• Vision insurance

• Dental insurance

• Accident insurance

• Life insurance

• 401(k) matching

• Paid time off

• Education reimbursement

• Equity as part of executive compensation programs