Total Rewards, Systems & Operations Leader

Role Description

Our client, a California-based company, is seeking an experienced Total Rewards, Systems & Operations Leader to own the strategy, design, and day-to-day administration of the organization's compensation and benefits programs. This is a highly visible leadership role for a total rewards expert who combines deep technical compensation and benefits knowledge with strong people-leadership and systems/operations acumen, including hands-on experience using AI and automation to modernize how total rewards is delivered. The role leads a team of analysts and HR business partners and serves as the organization's subject-matter authority on pay, benefits, and the technology (including Greenhouse and other HR systems) that supports them. This position is remote/virtual eligible for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the design, funding strategy, governance, and end-to-end administration of the company's total rewards programs, including base pay, incentive compensation, executive compensation support, and the full benefits portfolio (medical, dental, vision, life/disability, retirement, leave, and voluntary benefits).
• Lead annual compensation cycles — merit, promotion, and bonus planning — including market pricing, salary structure design/maintenance, and pay equity analysis.
• Serve as the executive-facing owner of the benefits program: carrier and broker relationships, renewal strategy, plan design changes, open enrollment, and regulatory compliance (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, state-specific requirements).
• Direct the systems and operations backbone of total rewards — HRIS/payroll integrations, benefits administration platforms, Greenhouse (ATS) and other recruiting/HR systems, and compensation management tools — ensuring data integrity, process efficiency, and a strong employee/manager experience.
• Champion the use of AI-driven tools and automation across total rewards and HR operations — from AI-assisted market pricing and pay equity analysis to chatbot/self-service tools for benefits and compensation questions, and workflow automation across HRIS, ATS, and benefits platforms.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of compensation/benefits analysts and HR business partners, setting priorities, building capability, and creating a strong service-delivery culture.
• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, HRIS/IT, and senior HR leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and total rewards strategy tied to business goals.
• Monitor market trends and legislative changes, bringing forward recommendations that keep programs competitive, compliant, and cost-effective.
• Own vendor management and RFP processes for benefits brokers, carriers, and compensation/HRIS technology partners.
• Build and maintain reporting, dashboards, and audit processes that give leadership clear visibility into total rewards spend, plan performance, and program effectiveness.
• Act as an escalation point for complex compensation and benefits questions from employees, managers, and business partners.

Qualifications

• Strong, demonstrated experience in compensation and benefits, with ownership of an organization's overall benefits program (plan design, renewals, vendor management, compliance).
• Proven people-leadership experience managing multiple direct reports, including both analysts and HR business partners.
• Solid understanding of compensation structures, market pricing/benchmarking, incentive design, and pay equity practices.
• Working knowledge of HRIS, payroll, benefits administration systems, and Greenhouse (ATS), with experience improving processes and data accuracy.
• Hands-on experience leveraging AI and automation tools within HR/total rewards operations — e.g., AI-assisted compensation analytics, benefits chatbots, or workflow automation across HRIS/ATS platforms — and a strong point of view on where AI can improve service delivery.
• Strong grasp of relevant employment and benefits law/regulation (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, state pay transparency and leave laws).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, comfortable presenting to senior leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• CCP (Certified Compensation Professional), CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist), or similar credential.
• Experience supporting a California-headquartered or multi-state workforce.
• Experience with HRIS platforms such as Workday, UKG, ADP, or similar; Greenhouse (ATS); and compensation planning tools.
• Track record introducing or scaling AI-powered HR technology (e.g., generative AI for market analysis, AI-enabled employee self-service, or analytics/automation layered onto HRIS and ATS systems).
• Prior experience building or scaling total rewards functions during periods of company growth.

Location & Work Style

California-based company. This role is remote/virtual eligible.