Position Overview
The Associate Director / Director, Total Rewards will build competitive, scalable, employee-centered total rewards. Lead the design and administration of compensation, benefits, leave programs, 401(k), equity planning, and rewards & recognition.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a total rewards strategy supporting attraction, engagement, and retention.
- Partner with HR and business leaders to reinforce performance, internal equity, and culture.
- Translate growth and workforce needs into scalable, fiscally responsible rewards programs.
- Lead compensation plan development/management (salary structures, incentives, market pricing, pay equity analysis, compliance oversight).
- Support equity planning (new hire grants, promotions, refresh cycles, annual planning) with Finance, Legal, and the equity partner.
- Support annual compensation cycle (tools, timelines, manager guidance, calibration, reporting).
- Research compensation trends and prepare information for executive/compensation committee/board review.
- Oversee day-to-day benefits administration (medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, disability, FSA).
- Own leave administration processes (FMLA, state leaves, disability coordination).
- Manage 401(k) administration (vendor, testing support, audits, enrollment, education).
- Lead annual benefits renewal (plan design evaluation, cost modeling, vendor negotiations, open enrollment, communications).
- Own/ improve recognition programs (spot awards, peer recognition, milestone/service awards) and ensure consistency.
- Advise leaders on total rewards decisions and communications; collaborate with HRBPs, Talent Acquisition, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and People Ops.
- Lead vendor relationships (brokers, carriers, leave admin, 401(k) provider, compensation survey partners, recognition platform).
- Monitor costs/utilization/participation/feedback; create scalable documentation, SOPs, and governance.
Qualifications
- Bachelorβs Degree required.
- 8+ years progressive experience in Total Rewards, Compensation, Benefits, or HR with program ownership in a scaling organization (or equivalent).
- Biotech/life science industry experience strongly preferred.
Knowledge & Skills
- Hands-on benefits administration and vendor management.
- Strong compensation experience: benchmarking, job architecture/leveling, annual compensation cycles; support sales incentives.
- Equity administration platform experience and stock plan basics.
- Strong analytical/modeling/reporting skills.
- Cross-functional influence with Finance, Legal, Payroll, and senior leaders.
- Excellent facilitation, program design, and communication.
Washington State Pay Range
$175,048 - $247,592 USD