Director Total Rewards (Chicago)

CJ Logistics delivers integrated and multimodal logistics services, connecting every corner of the world via air, sea, and land. As a lead logistics partner (LLP), third-party logistics provider (3PL), and supply chain consultant, we help customers leverage supply chain management as a competitive advantage, reducing total system costs, transforming business processes, improving service, and facilitating growth and change. With a focus on social responsibility and sustainability through growth with customers and communities, we prioritize the well-being of the end consumer, our customers, and our employees. CJ Logistics America is responsible for the North American region, specializing in solutions for regulated industries such as food and beverage, consumer-packaged goods, healthcare and medical supplies, and tire and automotive.

About the Role

The Director of Total Rewards serves as a strategic advisor and technical expert in compensation and benefits, ensuring CJ Logistics attracts, retains, and engages top talent through competitive and equitable programs. The ideal candidate is both a visionary and a practitioner—capable of designing enterprise-wide strategies while eagerly rolling up their sleeves to execute the detailed analytics and operational tasks necessary for success. The Director designs and evaluates compensation structures, oversees key benefits programs, and provides data‑driven recommendations that align with business goals and reinforce the company’s total rewards philosophy.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and evaluate compensation structures, including salary ranges, job levels, and pay grades, ensuring internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Independently model and analyze complex incentive and commission plans to support business growth and fiscal discipline.
• Conduct job evaluations, market pricing, and pay equity analyses; provide recommendations to senior leadership based on findings.
• Manage annual salary planning processes, including merit cycles, general wage increases, and budgeting.
• Oversee participation in compensation surveys and maintain market intelligence to inform program updates.

Benefits Strategy & Analytics

• Provide subject matter expertise and oversight for health and welfare programs, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability, FSA, and HSA offerings.
• Partner with benefits consultants and vendors on program administration, service delivery, and issue resolution.
• Support design and evaluation of benefits programs to ensure competitiveness, cost effectiveness, and alignment with employee needs.
• Support the implementation, communication and administration of all benefit plans including annual open enrollment efforts.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable benefits laws and regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, COBRA, Non-Discrimination Testing, 5500 filings).

Compliance & Governance

• Conduct regular audits of compensation and benefits programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain policies and documentation related to compensation, benefits, and compliance.
• Monitor regulatory changes and recommend program adjustments as needed.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and development to the Total Rewards team and other team members as assigned.
• Partner with HR teams and business leaders to understand workforce needs and deliver creative, data-driven solutions.
• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to support program effectiveness.
• Evaluate existing processes and identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience.
• Lead or support special projects related to compensation, benefits, and total rewards strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 10 years of progressive experience in compensation.
• Demonstrate advanced technical expertise in managing and configuring all aspects of Compensation including job architecture, merit and promotion cycles, market analysis and compensation plan design for operations, sales and corporate job profiles, and annual incentive plan design and management.
• Advanced analytical skills with expert proficiency in Excel and financial modeling.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex data analysis and develop actionable insights.
• Exceptional communication skills, with a proven ability to influence and partner effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational, project management, and decision‑making skills.
• CCP or similar certification preferred.
• Experience supporting multi - site locations preferred.
• Experience working with Dayforce or a similar Human Capital Management platform preferred.
• Experience in benefits management preferred.

Office/Sedentary Role

This is largely a sedentary role requiring the physical ability to:

• Sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk while working on a computer
• Use hands and fingers to operate a keyboard, mouse, and telephone
• Speak and hear clearly in person, virtually, and over the phone
• Occasionally stand, walk, reach, stoop, or lift up to 10 pounds

This position operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and printers. The work environment is typically quiet to moderate in noise level and is climate controlled.

Location

As we prioritize connection and the opportunity to build relationships with our customers and each other we have an in‑office culture. This role is hybrid, with a 4 day in-office structure with flexibility as needed. Given the nature of this role preference will be given to those local to our corporate headquarters in Des Plaines, IL but remote candidates may be considered.

What We Offer

There are many benefits to working at CJ Logistics America, including competitive pay including an Annual Incentive Plan, paid time off, a 401(k) match, and much more. We anticipate this role to pay a base salary of $160,000 to $190,000 but actual base pay will depend on the successful candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience.