Total Rewards Manager (852)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Manager, Total Rewards is responsible for the administration and execution of the organization’s total rewards programs, including benefits, compensation administration, leave of absence, and workers’ compensation. This role ensures employees receive accurate, timely, and compliant support while maintaining strong operational controls and effective vendor partnerships. The position plays a critical role in delivering a reliable and compliant total rewards experience within a regulated environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Benefits Administration

• Oversee benefits enrollment, changes, and employee support throughout the plan year.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors and brokers, including issue resolution and service delivery.
• Ensure accurate communication of benefits information to employees and leaders.
• Evaluate benefits programs and make recommendations to optimize cost, competitiveness, and employee satisfaction.
• Lead benefits-related projects, including new plan implementations, open enrollment campaigns, and vendor transitions.
• Monitor trends in benefits utilization and employee feedback to inform program improvements.

Compensation Administration

• Support pay administration processes, including merit cycles, promotions, bonus programs, and other compensation-related initiatives.
• Partner with leadership and HR partners to execute compensation processes in alignment with established guidelines.
• Ensure accurate documentation and processing of compensation-related transactions.
• Provide guidance to managers and employees on compensation policies, equity, and process adherence.

Leave of Absence and Workers’ Compensation

• Oversee leave of absence programs, including coordination with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Manage workers’ compensation processes, claims administration, and related documentation and reporting ensuring accuracy.
• Ensure timely, consistent, and compliant administration of leave and claims, supporting operational continuity.
• Track leave trends and partner with leaders on workforce planning and coverage solutions.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to benefits, compensation, leave, and workers’ compensation.
• Maintain required documentation, filings, and reporting such as form 5500, Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), ACA reporting etc..
• Support internal and external audits such ERISA, ACA, and state-mandated reviews.
• Monitor program compliance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with legal, finance, and HR leadership to maintain governance and adherence to policies.

Total Rewards Strategy & Advisory

• Advise leadership and HR partners on total rewards programs and policy interpretation.
•  Analyze compensation and benefits data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support communication strategies for benefits, leave, and compensation programs to enhance employee understanding and engagement.
• Collaborate with HR and business partners to align total rewards programs with organizational objectives, talent strategy, and culture.

PROBLEM SOLVING:

• Resolves complex total rewards issues by analyzing benefit eligibility, compensation data, leave requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Identifies root causes of administrative errors, vendor issues, or compliance risks and implements corrective actions.
• Escalates high-risk or sensitive matters appropriately while ensuring continuity of service.

DECISION MAKING/SCOPE OF AUTHORITY:

• Exercises independent judgment in administering total rewards programs within established policies and regulatory requirements.
• Authorized to make decisions related to benefits administration, leave processing, workers’ compensation workflows, and vendor issue resolution.
• Provides recommendations related to compensation administration processes; does not set compensation strategy or performance management frameworks.
• Does not own recruiting, HR systems ownership, performance management, or culture programs.

SPAN OF CONTROL/COMPLEXITY:

• Directly manages Total Rewards team members.
• Supports a diverse employee population across multiple roles, departments, and locations.
• Operates in a centralized environment requiring accuracy, confidentiality, and strict compliance.
• Balances employee service needs, vendor coordination, and regulatory requirements.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in total rewards, benefits administration, or compensation administration.
• 2+ years of experience leading or supervising HR or Total Rewards teams.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms (paycom, workday, ADP etc.) and Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint).
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of benefits programs, leave of absence management, and workers’ compensation processes.
• Knowledge of applicable employment laws and regulatory requirements such FMLA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, worker’s compensation etc.
• Proficiency with HR systems and benefits administration platforms.
• Experience supporting healthcare or other regulated industries.
• Experience managing multiple benefits vendors and third-party administrators.
• Familiarity with audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory reporting.
• Ability to travel up to 30% between company sites to support leaders, teams, and business operations.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:

• People Leadership: Ability to lead, coach, and develop Total Rewards team members.
• Total Rewards Administration: Strong understanding of benefits, compensation administration, leave, and workers’ compensation processes.
• Problem Solving: Analyzes complex issues and implements compliant, practical solutions.
• Decision Making: Exercises sound judgment within defined authority and regulatory constraints.
• Vendor Management: Effectively manages vendor relationships and service delivery.
• Compliance Orientation: Ensures adherence to regulatory requirements and internal controls.
• Communication: Clearly communicates complex benefits and compensation information to employees and leaders.
• Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy in documentation, reporting, and transactions.
• Customer Focus: Delivers a reliable and supportive employee experience.