Manager, Total Rewards

Total Rewards Manager – U.S. & International Oversight Location: United States – California – Santa Clarita or Greater Los Angeles Area, CA (Boron, CA also supported). Expected annual salary range for California based roles is $146,800 - $201,850. About The Role We are seeking a Total Rewards Manager to join our people team. This role leads the design, governance, and delivery of benefits programs across the U.S. business (~950 employees), while providing oversight and coordination for benefits programs across international locations. In addition, the role provides leadership across compensation and incentive programs through a dedicated specialist. You will ensure programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with business strategy, while delivering a strong employee experience across a multi‑country workforce. Key Responsibilities Lead U.S. benefits programs, including health, welfare, retirement wellness, and leave Manage benefits programs supporting both union (CBA‑based) and non‑union employee populations, including retiree benefits Oversee defined benefit (pension) and defined contribution (401(k)) retirement programs Ensure ERISA compliance and fiduciary governance of benefit plans Ensure compliance with Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements, including reporting obligations and monitoring legislative changes Oversee and coordinate benefits across international locations for smaller international teams (France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, China, Singapore, India, Brazil, and Japan) Ensure that the benefits policies and programs support the strategic direction of the business Manage brokers, insurers, and administrators; drive performance and continuous improvement Provide advisory support to HR, leadership, and benefit committees on plan design and complex issues Collaborate with Finance, Legal, HR Operations, and external partners Provide Total Rewards leadership, including oversight of compensation programs delivered through a specialist Oversee salary structure design, market benchmarking, and annual merit and pay review processes Oversee short‑ and long‑term incentive programs, ensuring alignment with business strategy and market competitiveness What You'll Bring Commitment to safety and employee wellbeing Bachelor’s degree in Business, HR, or related field 8–12+ years of experience in benefits or total rewards management Strong expertise in U.S. benefits and retirement plans, including DB and DC plans Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, and related compliance requirements Experience managing union and non‑union benefit programs Experience across compensation, including salary structures, benchmarking, and incentive programs Proven experience in vendor management and program design Strong project management and organizational skills Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, multi‑stakeholder environment Occasional travel as required What We Offer Safety‑focused and inclusive work environment Competitive salary with annual incentive eligibility Comprehensive health and wellness benefits Strong retirement programs, including company contributions and 401(k) matching Generous paid time off and leave programs Wellbeing and employee support programs Learning and career development opportunities Why Join Us This role offers the opportunity to lead total rewards for a large U.S. workforce while shaping programs across a global footprint, with direct impact on employee experience and business performance. Respect and Inclusion Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity. Rio Tinto participates in E‑Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit for more information. #J-18808-Ljbffr Rio Tinto