Position Overview
The Associate Director / Director, Total Rewards will 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 talent attraction, engagement, and retention.
- Partner with HR and business leaders to ensure rewards reinforce performance, internal equity, and culture.
- Translate workforce needs into scalable, fiscally responsible rewards programs.
- Lead compensation plan design/implementation/management (salary structures, incentive programs, market pricing, pay equity analysis, compliance oversight).
- Support equity planning (new hire grants, promotions, refresh cycles, annual planning) with Finance, Legal, and equity administration partner.
- Support annual compensation cycle (tools, timelines, manager guidance, calibration support, reporting).
- Assist CFO by researching trends and preparing compensation information for executive/committee/board review.
- Oversee benefits administration (medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, disability, FSA).
- Own leave administration (FMLA, state leaves, disability coordination) with compliant practices.
- Manage 401(k) administration (vendor partnership, testing support, audits, enrollment/education).
- Lead annual benefits renewal (plan design evaluation, cost modeling, vendor negotiations, open enrollment, employee communications).
- Own and improve recognition programs (spot awards, peer, milestone/service awards) and ensure consistent, inclusive application.
- Serve as strategic advisor on total rewards decisions and communications; collaborate cross-functionally and manage key vendors.
- Monitor costs/utilization/participation/feedback; create scalable SOPs/governance.
Qualifications & Skills
- 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 experience strongly preferred.
- 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 skills; translate data into recommendations.
- Cross-functional influence with Finance, Legal, Payroll, senior leaders.
- Excellent facilitation, program design, and communication.