Total Rewards Leader

Help Shape the Workforce Behind Discovery and Innovation Brookhaven National Laboratory brings together scientists, engineers, postdoctoral researchers, technicians, operational staff, and professionals from a wide range of disciplines to advance discovery, innovation, and operational excellence. From world-leading scientific research and advanced technology development to the management of large-scale facilities and critical infrastructure, Brookhaven's success depends on attracting, retaining, and engaging exceptional talent. Serve as a member of Human Resources Leadership Team reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Manager of Total Rewards plays a pivotal leadership role in designing and executing compensation, benefits, well-being, and recognition strategies that support a highly skilled workforce spanning research, operations, and administration. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished compensation and benefits leader to influence enterprise-wide strategy within a complex and mission-driven organization. The successful candidate will lead a talented team of approximately 15 professionals and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on all aspects of Total Rewards. Why This Role Matters At Brookhaven, Total Rewards is more than compensation and benefits—it is a strategic lever for attracting and retaining the talent that enables the Laboratory's mission. Our workforce includes internationally recognized researchers, engineers, postdoctoral scientists, skilled trades professionals, union-represented employees, technicians, operations staff, and administrative professionals, each playing an essential role in the Laboratory's success. As Manager of Total Rewards, you will help shape the employee experience across a workforce spanning research, operations, and administration by leading programs that support attraction, retention, engagement, and organizational effectiveness. Your work will directly influence Brookhaven's ability to compete for talent, support employee well-being, and maintain compliance within a highly regulated environment. This role offers the opportunity to partner with senior leaders across the organization, lead significant strategic initiatives, and drive programs that have a meaningful impact on employees and the Laboratory's long-term success. What You'll Do Lead Total Rewards Strategy Develop and execute a comprehensive compensation and benefits strategy aligned with Brookhaven's mission, workforce needs, and long-term organizational objectives to attract, retain, and engage talent. Collaborate with the CHRO and senior leadership to align Total Rewards strategies with organizational objectives by providing strategic, data-driven counsel and recommendations on compensation and benefits trends, emerging workforce practices, regulatory developments, market intelligence, and organizational opportunities and challenges. Work closely with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and organizational leaders to lead job evaluation, market pricing, assessments, benchmarking, and compensation analyses that ensure programs remain competitive, equitable, and aligned with organizational objectives. Partner with HR colleagues, Legal, and organizational leadership to ensure compensation and benefits programs comply with Department of Energy contractual requirements and applicable federal and state regulations, serving as a primary representative during audits, reviews, and inquiries conducted by DOE and other oversight agencies. Drive Compensation Excellence Provide strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of the Laboratory's salary review process, partner closely with other leaders who have shared responsibilities in the process (e.g., Laboratory senior leaders, Chief HR Officer, HRIS, Deployed HR teams, etc.). Conduct and oversee internal compensation reviews and audits to ensure consistency, competitiveness, compliance, and alignment with institutional policies and regulatory requirements. Lead and Inspire a High-Performing Team Lead and develop a high-performing team by providing clear direction, mentorship, and growth opportunities, while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Lead, mentor, and develop Compensation and Benefits fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and innovation. Use metrics, workforce data, and analytics to evaluate program effectiveness, measure outcomes, and inform strategic decision-making. Provides leadership oversight for the team responsible for the administration of employee leave, absence management, and related benefits programs.   Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance or related field. Masters preferred. Ten (10) or more years of progressive Total Rewards experience, with deep expertise in compensation strategy, job architecture, market benchmarking, pay program design, and executive consultation. Benefits leadership experience is desirable, with the ability to leverage and guide an experienced benefits team. Demonstrated ability to successfully scale programs and practices to meet the needs of organizations with comparable workforce size and operational complexity. Strong analytical, compliance, vendor management, and stakeholder management capabilities. Demonstrated ability to lead at a strategic level, navigate high-visibility environments, and engage effectively with stakeholders and oversight bodies. Experience conducting comprehensive needs and/or effectiveness assessment for compensation and/or benefits programs, developing proposals, and implementing notable program enhancements with tangible results.    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels . Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and effectively communicate insights. Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to HR industry practices and pertaining to compensation and benefits (e.g. ACA, FLSA, OFCCP, EEOC, DFEH, etc.).  Proficiency with HR systems and tools including HCMS (preferably Workday), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  Preferred skills/knowledge: Experience in a scientific, research, government contracting or other highly regulated environment. Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and/or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation. Experience supporting both union-represented and non-represented employee populations. **This role is onsite/hybrid - 4 days onsite and one day remote** Join Brookhaven This is an opportunity for an experienced Total Rewards leader to apply strategic expertise in a complex and dynamic environment where the workforce spans research, operations, and administration. You'll lead a talented team, advise senior leadership, and help shape programs that support employees across every part of the Laboratory—from research and engineering to operations and administration. If you are energized by solving complex workforce challenges, leading meaningful changes, and building programs that help organizations thrive, we encourage you to apply. At Brookhaven National Laboratory, your work will help create an employee experience that enables innovation, operational excellence, and breakthrough achievements across the organization. Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable, and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $184400-$307000 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education, and experience and considered with the internal peer group. Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews. About Us Brookhaven National Laboratory ( delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: Welcome. If you are looking for your next career move—to a place where your skills and strengths contribute to groundbreaking discovery and innovation—Brookhaven National Laboratory may be where you belong. Here you can explore open positions and apply to the ones that suit you, your skills, and strengths. You can also keep track of your progress in the selection process and new postings that might interest you. Thanks for your interest in joining the Brookhaven Lab team. At Brookhaven Lab, everyone has a role in discovery science and transformative technology that's helping power and secure the nation’s future. We are home to world-class scientists, engineers, technicians, and other professionals as well as unique facilities that attract thousands of researchers annually from across the country and around the globe. Our track record includes seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards (the "Oscars of Innovation"), and countless other advances.