Head of Total Rewards

About the role

The Head of Total Rewards will lead compensation, benefits, and payroll functions globally for a financial services firm. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this role will oversee the design and execution of comprehensive compensation and benefits strategies, including incentive plans, carry structures, and deferred comp. The successful candidate will also manage payroll operations, support systems transformations, and enhance processes, tools, and infrastructure to support a growing, multi-entity organization.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive compensation and benefits strategies, including base salary, bonus, carried interest, and deferred compensation programs.
• Oversee payroll and benefits operations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Lead HR systems implementations and transformations, such as compensation platforms and HRIS migrations.
• Manage compliance with regulatory requirements, including 401(k) plans, Form 5500 filings, and audit processes.
• Build scalable processes, SOPs, and infrastructure to support a growing organization.
• Develop and mentor junior talent, focusing on people management skills.
• Partner closely with senior leadership and influence decision-making processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years of experience in total rewards within financial services.
• Deep expertise in compensation design and administration, including incentive plans, carry structures, and deferred comp.
• Proven experience overseeing benefits strategy and administration, including exposure to self-funded plans.
• Hands-on experience managing payroll operations for exempt and non-exempt populations.
• Demonstrated experience leading HR systems implementations and transformations (e.g., compensation platforms, HRIS migrations).
• Strong knowledge of compliance requirements, including 401(k) plans, Form 5500 filings, and audit processes.
• Experience building scalable processes, SOPs, and infrastructure to support a growing organization.
• Prior people management experience with a focus on mentoring and developing junior talent.
• Ability to operate as both a strategic leader and hands-on contributor in a lean team environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Qualifications

• Highly visible, hands-on leadership role within a lean, collaborative HR team.
• Opportunity to build and scale best-in-class total rewards programs in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.
• Fast-paced environment requiring a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to evolving total rewards programs.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
• Compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Leadership and mentoring skills.
• Communication and partnership with senior stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and organizational abilities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and federal and state leave programs as required by applicable agency regulations.
• Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Pay

$300,000 - $350,000 base salary.

Schedule

5 days onsite in New York City.