Head of Total Rewards

Are you a strategic compensation and benefits leader who believes that meaningful work deserves meaningful rewards? Do you view Total Rewards not merely as a set of programs, but as a vital employee value proposition that reflects an organization’s purpose, values, and commitment to its people?

Our client, a not-for-profit organization operating federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) to support the federal government, is seeking a Head of Total Rewards to oversee all compensation and benefits programs, including executive compensation, short- and long-term incentive plans, employee rewards, benefits and wellness, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market competitiveness.

This position partners closely with the CHRO, Director HR Operations, executive leadership, and Board of Trustees to ensure total rewards programs attract, motivate, and retain top talent across all disciplines and functions. The Director of Total Rewards will also lead and develop a high-performing team, providing strategic direction and operational execution of compensation, benefits, mobility, recognition, and performance management programs.

This is your opportunity to collaboratively shape what it means to be competitive and a mission-driven employer of choice, advancing public interest through innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

Location: McLean, VA or Bedford, MA

Roles & Responsibilities:

Total Rewards Strategy:

• Direct and oversee the design, execution, communication, and administration of total rewards programs, including compensation, benefits, performance management, mobility, recognition leave of absence and disability programs.
• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction in partnership with external consultants for executive compensation plans, incentive structures, and board-level compensation reporting.
• Partner with executive leadership to align total rewards strategy with overall business goals.
• Drive continuous evaluation and enhancement of compensation and benefits programs to ensure competitiveness, equity, and effectiveness in meeting organizational and talent needs.
• Oversee the development and implementation of executive compensation plans, inclusive of board material preparation and direct interaction with board members.
• Develop and lead a holistic Total Rewards strategy that includes financial and non-financial rewards: integrating learning and development, career frameworks, wellness and work-life balance initiatives.
• Monitor market trends and industry best practices to inform strategic decisions and recommend changes to maintain competitiveness within benefits and compensation.
• Explore segmentation strategies to tailor total rewards offerings for critical roles or high-impact business segments.
• Set direction and provide strategic insight to Total Rewards leaders and managers to ensure alignment with company goals and market standards.
• Manage short and long-term rewards strategy execution, ensuring compliance, sustainability, and measurable outcomes.
• Oversee operational policies and governance related to compensation and benefits, ensuring they support the overall HR and business strategy.
• Interact regularly with executive leadership and other key stakeholders on matters of strategic importance to the organization.
• Partner closely with the Finance team to develop and execute strategic financial decisions for all compensation and benefits programs, ensuring they are competitive, cost-effective, aligned with market rates, and balance employee needs with organizational costs. Support and model fringe benefits costs in collaboration with Finance.
• Partner strategically with cross-functional leaders in Finance, Legal, HRBPs, and senior leadership to align total rewards strategy with organizational priorities, values, and long-term goals.
• Oversee and Direct complex budgets, vendor relationships, compliance filings, and audits for all total rewards programs, ensuring operational efficiency and adherence to regulatory standards.
• Drive organizational change initiatives related to total rewards, leveraging data-driven insights and stakeholder collaboration to continuously improve programs and processes.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of compensation and benefits professionals, cultivating a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Partner strategically with cross-functional leaders in Finance, Legal, HRBPs, and senior leadership to align total rewards strategy with organizational priorities, values, and long-term goals.
• Manage complex budgets, vendor relationships, compliance filings, and audits for all total rewards programs, ensuring operational efficiency and adherence to regulatory standards.
• Drive organizational change initiatives related to total rewards, leveraging data-driven insights and stakeholder collaboration to continuously improve programs and processes.

Basic Qualifications:

• Requires a minimum of 15 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field; or 12 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 10 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on compensation and/or benefits.
• Deep expertise in job evaluation, compensation design, benefits administration, and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate highly regulated environments, including expertise in federal contracting compliance requirements such as OFCCP, EEO, and FLSA.
• Analytical mindset with strong financial acumen and communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in HR technology platforms (e.g., Workday) and compensation tools (e.g., PayScale, MarketPay) to support data-driven decision-making and process optimization.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with a history of mentoring and developing high-performing HR teams in compensation, benefits, and total rewards functions.
• Experience designing and managing executive compensation programs, including incentive plans, equity programs, and performance-based rewards.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive change management efforts related to total rewards programs.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degrees or certifications are preferred, such as a Master’s in HR, Business Administration, or Finance, or professional certifications like CCP (Certified Compensation Professional), CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist), SPHR, or SHRM-SCP.
• Experience working in or with government contractors, nonprofits, or highly regulated industries
• Familiarity with Workday or other HRIS and compensation systems.
• Global compensation and benefits experience preferred, including familiarity with international compliance requirements and cross-border program design.