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Director Compensation Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Director, Sales Incentive Compensation

Three Rivers, MI · On-site

$115K - $157K/yr

Director, Sales Incentive Compensation The Director, Sales Incentive Compensation is responsible for leading the strategy, design, implementation, governance, and operational management of incentive ...

Director of Total Compensation & Benefits

Troy, MI · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Recognized as the 2025 ENR Design Firm of the year for the Southeastern US Atwell is seeking a highly analytical Director of Total Compensation & Benefits to lead the strategy, design, and oversight ...

Total compensation is based on experience, skills, and location using objective, job-related ... Supervisory Responsibilities This position will have 1-3 direct reports. WHO WE ARE OneStream is ...

Influencing leaders without direct authority * Translating complex compensation concepts into understandable language As a High Reliability Organization (HRO), responsibilities require focus on ...

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Director Compensation information

See Michigan salary details

$26.6K

$128.2K

$175.6K

How much do director compensation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for director compensation in Michigan is $128,151.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,900.00 and $149,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Compensation vs HR Manager Compensation?

AspectDirector CompensationHR Manager Compensation
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, extensive experience, possibly certifications like CCP or CECPBachelor's degree, HR certifications like SHRM-CP or PHR often preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic, executive-level, often involved in high-level decision makingOperational, team-focused, involved in daily HR activities
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, finance, and consulting firmsWidespread across industries, especially in mid-sized and large companies

While both roles involve compensation management, the Director Compensation role is more strategic and senior, focusing on designing and overseeing compensation programs at an executive level. HR Managers handle day-to-day HR functions, including employee relations and benefits administration. The two roles differ mainly in scope, responsibility, and required experience.

What does a director of compensation do?

A Director of Compensation is responsible for designing, overseeing, and managing an organization’s compensation programs, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits. They analyze market trends to ensure pay practices are competitive and compliant with laws and regulations. This role often involves collaborating with senior leadership to develop strategies that attract, motivate, and retain employees while ensuring internal equity. Additionally, Directors of Compensation may supervise a team and manage compensation-related projects or initiatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of compensation?

To thrive as a Director of Compensation, you need expertise in compensation strategy, data analysis, and compliance, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in human resources, business, or a related field. Familiarity with HRIS systems, compensation survey tools, and relevant certifications like CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) is highly valuable. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for influencing decision-makers and managing cross-functional projects. These skills ensure competitive, equitable pay practices that support talent attraction, retention, and organizational goals.

How does a director of compensation typically collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment with organizational goals?

A Director of Compensation regularly partners with HR, finance, and executive leadership to design and implement pay structures that support the company’s strategic objectives. This role often involves analyzing market data, consulting with department heads about talent needs, and ensuring compensation programs are both competitive and equitable. Effective collaboration is key, as compensation strategies must align with budget constraints, regulatory requirements, and broader talent management initiatives. Regular cross-functional meetings and communication are essential to address evolving business priorities and maintain internal equity.
What are the most commonly searched types of Compensation jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Compensation jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Compensation jobs in Michigan? For Director Compensation jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Compensation jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Director Compensation jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Director Compensation jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Director Compensation job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Compensation job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,151 per year, or $61.6 per hour.

Senior Director, Compensation, Benefits & Payroll (3358)

Ironclad Environmental Solutions

Auburn Hills, MI

$118K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted yesterday

New


Ironclad Environmental Solutions rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 90 rated recycling and waste


Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Director, Compensation, Benefits & Payroll leads the enterprise Total Rewards function for IRONCLAD Powered by Mersino. This role is responsible for compensation strategy, benefits design, payroll governance, HRIS compensation administration, compliance, and continuous improvement across a growing industrial services organization with more than 1,100 employees operating from over 70 locations across the United States.

The Director partners closely with Finance, Operations, HR Business Partners, Payroll, and executive leadership to build scalable programs that attract, retain, and reward talent while ensuring compliance, operational excellence, and financial discipline.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Compensation Strategy and Total Rewards Leadership - 25%

  • Develop and execute the enterprise compensation philosophy and total rewards strategy.
  • Lead annual compensation planning including merit, promotions, market adjustments, and incentive programs.
  • Design salary structures, job grades, pay bands, and market pricing methodology.
  • Conduct pay equity analyses and recommend corrective actions.
  • Partner with Finance on labor budgeting and workforce planning.
  • Support acquisitions and compensation harmonization.

Benefits Strategy and Vendor Management - 20%

  • Lead all health and welfare benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, FSA/HSA, and 401(k).
  • Manage brokers, consultants, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators.
  • Lead annual renewals and Open Enrollment.
  • Develop employee communications and education materials.
  • Monitor utilization, costs, and vendor performance.

Payroll Governance and Compliance - 15%

  • Provide strategic oversight of multi-state payroll operations.
  • Partner with Payroll leadership to ensure timely, accurate payroll processing.
  • Strengthen payroll controls, audits, and compliance.
  • Ensure compliance with FLSA, wage and hour laws, and payroll regulations.

Job Architecture and Organizational Design - 10%

  • Maintain enterprise job architecture, career frameworks, and salary grades.
  • Support organizational design and workforce planning initiatives.

Compliance and Risk Management - 10%

  • Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS reporting, and applicable federal and state laws.
  • Maintain policies and documentation supporting regulatory compliance.

Analytics and Financial Reporting - 8%

  • Develop executive dashboards and KPIs.
  • Analyze compensation, benefits, and labor cost trends.
  • Present recommendations to executive leadership.

HR Technology and Process Improvement - 5%

  • Partner with HRIS to optimize Paycom compensation and benefits modules.
  • Improve automation, reporting, and data integrity.

Strategic Projects and M&A Integration - 5%

  • Lead compensation and benefits integration for acquisitions.
  • Standardize programs across legacy organizations.

Leadership and Employee Communications - 2%

  • Lead and develop the Total Rewards team.
  • Develop manager and employee education related to compensation, payroll, and benefits.

Measures of Performance

  • Compensation harmonization milestones achieved
  • Payroll accuracy above 99.5%
  • Benefits costs within budget
  • ACA reporting completed with zero penalties
  • Pay equity variance below 3%
  • Open Enrollment participation above 95%
  • Employee satisfaction with Total Rewards
  • Vendor performance and renewal savings
  • Executive dashboard accuracy and timeliness
  • Compliance audit results

Key Competencies, Knowledge, and Skills

  • Enterprise compensation strategy
  • Benefits plan design
  • Payroll governance
  • Job architecture
  • Market pricing and salary surveys
  • Vendor negotiations
  • Financial acumen
  • HR analytics
  • Paycom or comparable HRIS
  • Multi-state compliance
  • Executive communication
  • Project management
  • Continuous improvement
  • Change leadership

Qualifications

  1. Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field. Master's degree preferred.
  2. 10+ years of progressive Total Rewards, Compensation, Benefits, or Payroll leadership experience.
  3. Experience supporting 1,000+ employees across multiple locations.
  4. Industrial services, construction, manufacturing, equipment rental, logistics, or field services experience preferred.
  5. Experience leading compensation strategy, benefits administration, and payroll governance.
  6. CCP, CEBS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or CPP certifications preferred.

Leadership Expectations

The Director is expected to operate as the enterprise leader for Compensation, Benefits, and Payroll. Success is measured by building scalable Total Rewards programs that support growth, improve employee experience, maintain compliance, strengthen financial stewardship, and provide executive leaders with actionable workforce insights.


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