Director, Total Rewards & Payroll

Overview ECMC Group is a nonprofit corporation focused on helping students succeed. Headquartered in Minneapolis, ECMC Group and its family of companies provide financial tools and services, as well as funding for innovative programs to help students achieve their academic and professional goals. The Director, Total Rewards serves as a strategic human resources leader reporting to the Chief Human Resource Officer. This role designs, leads, and operationalizes comprehensive total rewards strategy across compensation, benefits, leaves, and payroll, ensuring market competitiveness, internal equity, regulatory compliance, and fiscal stewardship. Responsibilities Provide thought leadership to shape the strategic direction of the HR function in support of a complex, evolving business model. Lead strategic and operational initiatives for health and welfare benefits, leaves/accommodations, retirement plans, payroll, base pay, variable pay, deferred compensation, executive compensation/benefits, and other rewards. Conduct detailed analytical work on incentive compensation, total rewards program cost projections, compensation data for tax and regulatory filings, and overall decision‑making. Design and execute annual compensation review and benefits enrollment processes; collaborate on communication strategies to ensure business needs and employee understanding. Prepare materials and data for quarterly Governance and Compensation Committee meetings, aligning senior leaders on strategy and program details. Regularly review benefit offerings/designs for market competitiveness and organizational alignment; source and evaluate alternatives and recommend to executive team. Ensure accuracy and timeliness of payroll processes. Provide guidance to HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and leaders on compensation recommendations related to hiring, promotions, transfers, and retention. Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations (ERISA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, ACA, pay equity/transparency rules, etc.). Oversee broker and vendor relationships, contracts, and departmental budget. Manage relevant HR audit activity to achieve full compliance. Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing total rewards team. Perform other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree. 10+ years progressive experience in compensation, benefits, or executive compensation/benefits. 5+ years leading and developing a Total Rewards function and team. Ability to use HR technology platforms to manage and evolve total rewards processes and analytics. Experience building relationships with senior executives to enable effective outcomes. Experience creating relevant materials for the Board of Directors. Experience developing employee‑facing communications that clearly articulate total rewards programs, processes, or situations. Experience managing external vendor partnerships and deliverables. Advanced MS Excel skills. Preferred Qualifications Practical experience presenting complex information to key stakeholders such as a Board of Directors. Experience leading a payroll function. Experience with Workday HRIS. Experience leading an HRIS function. Experience managing a departmental or functional budget. Consulting experience. Experience in sales incentive design and administration. Comfort learning new technologies, including AI. Salary & Incentives The pay range for this position is $215,000 - $235,000. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as relevant experience, peer and market benchmarks, and geographic location. The position qualifies for an annual incentive of up to 20% of base salary, contingent upon individual and company performance. Benefits Health & wellness benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options with generous employer subsidies. Company‑paid life & disability insurance. Pre‑tax flexible spending accounts and robust wellness programs. Generous 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match and additional discretionary contribution potential. Holiday time off and paid time off accrual starting at 20 days/year plus commuter subsidy. Education benefits: Tuition reimbursement up to $10,500/year for approved programs and student‑loan payment reimbursement up to $4,800/year; up to $5,250 of qualifying education benefits can be reimbursed pre‑tax. Equal Opportunity Employer In compliance with federal law, all persons hired with ECMC Group and its affiliates will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. ECMC Group participates in E‑Verify to verify authorization to work in the U.S. #J-18808-Ljbffr