Manager - Total Rewards
Position Summary
The Total Rewards Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive total rewards strategy that supports the organization's ability to attract, retain, motivate, and reward a high-performing workforce. This role oversees compensation, benefits, wellness, recognition, and other reward programs, ensuring they are market-competitive, internally equitable, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the organization's strategic objectives, culture, and values.
Essential Functions
Design, implement, and administer base pay, incentive, and equity compensation programs.
Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to ensure competitiveness and internal equity.
Lead annual compensation processes, including merit reviews, bonuses, and salary adjustments.
Develop salary structures, job grading frameworks, and pay policies.
Provide guidance to HR and business leaders on pay decisions, promotions, and offers.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local pay regulations (e.g., pay transparency, FLSA).
Oversee design, implementation, and administration of employee benefits programs (health, retirement, wellness, and leave programs).
Evaluate vendor performance and manage relationships with brokers and providers.
Analyze utilization and trends to optimize cost and employee experience.
Lead open enrollment processes and develop employee communication strategies.
Develop and execute a holistic total rewards philosophy aligned with organizational goals.
Partner with leadership to ensure rewards programs support talent acquisition, retention, and engagement strategies.
Monitor industry trends and recommend enhancements to rewards offerings.
Analyze compensation and benefits data to provide insights and recommendations.
Ensure data integrity in HRIS systems related to rewards programs.
Develop dashboards and reports to track effectiveness and ROI of programs.
Support pay equity analyses and audits.
Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations (e.g., ERISA, ACA, FLSA).
Maintain up-to-date policies and procedures.
Partner with Legal and Finance to mitigate risk and maintain governance standards.
Create clear, engaging communication materials to educate employees on total rewards offerings.
Partner with HR Business Partners to promote understanding and utilization of programs.
Enhance the employee value proposition through effective rewards messaging.
Collaborate with Finance, Payroll, HRIS, and Talent teams on budgeting, forecasting, and program execution.
Manage and develop team members (if applicable).
Serve as a subject matter expert for all total rewards-related matters.
Physical Demands/Environment Factors
Typical Office Environment
Requires extensive sitting with periodic standing and walking.
May be required to lift up to 20 pounds.
Requires significant use of computer, phone, and general office equipment.
Needs adequate visual acuity, ability to grasp and handle objects.
Needs ability to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person or on telephone.
Requires off-site travel.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has full managerial scope and authority for employment actions, including coaching, candidate selection, training and development, performance appraisals, work assignments, and disciplinary action.
Leadership
Leadership will strive to uphold the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
They will serve as role models for staff and act in a people-centered, service excellence-focused, and results-oriented manner.
Scope and Complexity
The Total Rewards Manager is responsible for the strategic design, administration, and continuous improvement of compensation, benefits, wellness, and recognition programs that support organizational objectives and workforce needs.
This role manages complex compensation and benefits structures, conducts market benchmarking and pay equity analyses, and ensures compliance with evolving federal, state, and local regulations.
The position requires partnership with senior and executive leaders, Finance, Legal, and HR stakeholders to balance employee experience, market competitiveness, and financial sustainability.
Success in this role requires strong analytical capabilities, sound business judgment, and the ability to influence decisions across multiple levels of the organization while managing sensitive and confidential information.