Director of Compensation and Benefits

The Director of Compensation, Benefits, and Payroll provides strategic leadership and oversight for the design, administration, and continuous improvement of the organization's compensation, benefits, and payroll programs. This role ensures that total rewards strategies align with business objectives, support talent acquisition and retention, promote employee engagement, and maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on compensation planning, benefits strategy, workforce trends, and payroll governance. Essential ResponsibilitiesDevelop and lead the organization's compensation strategy, including salary structures, market pricing, job evaluations, incentive programs, and pay equity initiatives.Oversee the administration of employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, wellness initiatives, leave programs, and vendor relationships.Provide strategic oversight of payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, compliance with tax regulations, and effective payroll controls.Partner with executive leadership and Human Resources to align compensation and benefits programs with organizational goals and workforce planning initiatives.Lead annual compensation planning activities, including merit increases, incentive compensation, salary budgeting, and market analysis.Monitor industry trends, labor market conditions, and regulatory changes to maintain competitive and compliant compensation and benefits programs.Evaluate and recommend improvements to total rewards programs that enhance employee attraction, retention, and engagement.Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations related to compensation, benefits, payroll, wage and hour requirements, and employee leave programs.Manage relationships with external consultants, brokers, auditors, and third-party payroll and benefits providers.Develop reporting and analytics related to compensation, benefits utilization, payroll metrics, labor costs, and workforce trends.Lead, mentor, and develop compensation, benefits, and payroll team members to support operational excellence and succession planning.Support mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and other business initiatives through compensation, benefits, and payroll integration planning. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.Minimum of 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in compensation, benefits, and/or payroll leadership roles.Demonstrated experience developing and implementing enterprise-wide compensation and total rewards strategies.Strong knowledge of compensation design, salary administration, executive and incentive compensation, benefits programs, and payroll operations.Thorough understanding of federal, state, and local employment, wage and hour, payroll tax, benefits, and retirement plan regulations.Experience managing HRIS, payroll, compensation, and benefits systems.Proven ability to analyze complex data, develop actionable insights, and present recommendations to executive leadership.Strong leadership, project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills.Professional certifications such as CCP, GRP, CBP, CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR are preferred.Ability to operate strategically while maintaining oversight of day-to-day operational effectiveness.This position requires a strategic, analytical, and collaborative leader who can drive a comprehensive total rewards strategy while ensuring operational excellence and compliance across compensation, benefits, and payroll functions. Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information. © 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.