Sr. Total Rewards Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Meriton is a national team of experts driving HVAC innovation through a network of high-performing companies. From strategy and support to systems and solutions, we work behind the scenes to strengthen operations and build value—for our partners and our people.

If you're looking to make an impact, we're glad you're here. At Meriton, you'll join a team that believes in big ideas, doing great work, and building careers that matter—every step of the way.

The Senior Total Rewards Manager leads enterprise Total Rewards strategy within the Center of Excellence (COE), overseeing the design, governance, and administration of benefits, retirement, and compensation programs across all operating companies. The role ensures scalable, compliant frameworks while allowing flexibility to meet operating company needs.

The position partners closely with regional HR teams, executive & OpCo leadership, Payroll, HRIS, Finance, and external vendors to deliver consistent, employee focused programs that support growth, retention, and integration activity across a complex, decentralized organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the enterprise owner of Total Rewards strategy and governance, establishing standardized frameworks, policies, controls, and service models for all operating companies. Lead, develop, and mentor Shared Services Total Rewards staff, setting performance expectations aligned with COE service delivery, accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement. Define roles and responsibilities between Shared Services and operating companies to ensure clarity, accountability, and effective execution at scale. Partner with regional HR teams to resolve complex employee benefit cases.
• Own the enterprise design and administration of all health & welfare, retirement, disability, life, voluntary, and leave programs serving a multi-state, multi-OpCo population. Lead annual open enrollment across all operating companies, including carrier strategy, systems configuration, vendor coordination, and communications. Act as the primary enterprise owner of retirement programs, including 401(k) and deferred compensation plans. Partner with plan recordkeepers, advisors, trustees, and auditors. Oversee plan governance, investments, audits, nondiscrimination testing, participant communications, and ongoing ERISA and IRS compliance.
• Manage enterprise vendor relationships including brokers, carriers, TPAs, recordkeepers, retirement advisors, and equity vendors. Lead enterprise negotiations, RFPs, renewals, performance reviews, and escalations, ensuring service levels and financial outcomes align with organizational standards. Partner with vendors to support integration of new operating companies and ensure consistent service delivery post close.
• Monitor federal, state, and local regulatory changes impacting benefits and compensation in a multi-state environment and ensure timely enterprise implementation. Own enterprise regulatory and governance activities including ACA reporting, audits, Form 5500 filings, participant notices, and regulatory inquiries.
• Establish and maintain standardized documentation, operating procedures, and internal controls to mitigate risk and ensure audit readiness.
• Lead enterprise compensation cycles, job architecture, job leveling, salary structures, and market benchmarking to promote consistent and equitable pay practices across OpCos. Serve as a strategic partner to HR regional teams, business leaders, and Talent Acquisition to evaluate role scope, recommend competitive offers, and support workforce planning. Support equity and incentive administration governance, ensuring confidentiality, accuracy, and compliance across all OpCos.
• Serve as the Total Rewards functional lead for HCM and benefits administration platforms in a Shared Services environment. Partner with HRIS, IT, Payroll, and vendors to define enterprise requirements, workflows, controls, testing, and deployment. Drive automation, standardization, and reporting enhancements to enable scalable service delivery and decision ready insights.
• Partner with the M&A team on due diligence, risk assessment, and integration planning related to benefits and compensation. Ensure continuity of coverage, compliance, and a seamless employee experience post-close. Assist with developing scalable integration playbooks and transition strategies aligned with the Shared Services operating model.
• Partner closely with Finance and Payroll to ensure accurate funding, reconciliation, accounting, and forecasting of benefit premiums, retirement contributions, and total rewards liabilities. Support budgeting, cost modeling, and financial analysis related to enterprise total rewards programs.
• Collaborate closely with HRBPs, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and business leaders to ensure benefit and compensation processes align with organizational policies and business needs.

Key Competencies

• Provides strategic and operational leadership across employee benefits, retirement, and compensation programs
• Deep knowledge of health & welfare benefits and retirement plan administration, with strong ERISA and compliance expertise
• Customer focused mindset with the ability to translate complex benefits information into clear, actionable guidance
• Collaborative partner who builds effective relationships across HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, and vendors
• Exceptional attention to detail with a strong commitment to data integrity, confidentiality, and service delivery
• Manages time and priorities efficiently in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments
• Communicates clearly and effectively through strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates empathy, integrity, and professionalism when handling sensitive employee information
• Drives and supports organizational change with adaptability and commitment
• Scales benefit processes effectively within growing and complex business environments
• Maintains composure and sound judgment in high‑pressure situations
• Uses Microsoft Excel and the full Microsoft Office Suite with strong proficiency

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, or related field; equivalent professional experience also considered
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive benefits and leadership experience in a multi-state, multi-unit environment
• Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) or similar designation preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing & supporting health & welfare benefits and retirement plans in multi-state, multi-unit operations
• M&A benefits & compensation integration expertise preferred
• Experience with major HCM/benefit administration platforms (e.g., Workday, ADP, UKG, Oracle, Dayforce, or similar)

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The workplace is in a corporate office environment and the temperature in the work environment is usually moderate. The position's primary office is the Shared Services, Irving, TX office; however, telework or work at home, on the road, or in a satellite location for portions of the workweek may occur, depending upon project needs and requirements in coordination with your direct supervisor and/or most senior leader of your department.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable the individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions. Must be able to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during a workday. May be required to lift items such as document boxes at a maximum of 10 to 15 pounds.

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant's or employee's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.

Salary ranges listed are dependent upon a candidate's qualifications, experience, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the specific role and location.