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Total Rewards Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$84K - $141K/yr

About the Role Total Wine & More is seeking a Lead Analyst, Total Rewards to join our HR Benefits team in our Bethesda, MD office. This role supports the day-to-day administration of the company ...

Total Rewards Strategist

Sharonville, OH · On-site

$116K - $150K/yr

Lead the optimization and AI enablement of annual merit and bonus planning processes, including modeling, controls, and analytics. Total Rewards * Develop and deliver compensation insights, workforce ...

Total Rewards Manager Bigelow Tea is the number one specialty tea company in the United States. We ... Lead annual compensation planning processes, including merit increases, market adjustments ...

Director, Total Rewards

Gallatin, TN · On-site

$117K - $160K/yr

Lead the strategy, design, administration, and governance of total rewards programs, including compensation (base & variable), executive compensation, equity, and benefits, related payroll processes.

Total Rewards Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

$80K - $108K/yr

Sunrise Senior Living is seeking a Total Rewards Manager to lead the analysis, design, administration, and continuous improvement of compensation and benefits programs across the U.S. and Canada.

Total Rewards Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

The Total Rewards Manager will lead the design, development, administration, and continuous improvement of Enterprise Electrical's compensation and benefits programs. Reporting to the Vice President ...

Total Rewards Manager

Houston, TX · On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

The Total Rewards Manager will lead the design, development, administration, and continuous improvement of Enterprise Electrical's compensation and benefits programs. Reporting to the Vice President ...

Total Rewards Leader

Torrance, CA · On-site

$190K - $250K/yr

This is a build-and-lead role for a hands-on, tech-forward total rewards leader who can bring structure, market discipline, and a compelling employee experience to a fast-moving, high-volume ...

Total Rewards Leader

Minneapolis, MN

$68K - $93K/yr

We have an opening for a Total Rewards Leader. This role can be based in the following cities ... Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of comprehensive benefit programs ...

Director, Total Rewards

Plano, TX · On-site

$116K - $159K/yr

SUMMARY The Director, Total Rewards, is a key member of Welltower's Human Capital team, responsible ... Lead the day-to-day administration of compensation programs, including base pay, incentive plans ...

Manager, Total Rewards

$81K - $110K/yr

As Manager, Total Rewards, you will own the strategy behind our compensation, benefits, and payroll ... Lead annual compensation review cycles, Variable Compensation Plan (VCP) administration, and ...

The Total Rewards Manager is an experienced compensation professional and trusted thought partner ... Lead the analysis, design, and implementation of compensation structures, job architectures, and ...

Director, Total Rewards

New York, NY · On-site

$143K - $238K/yr

Lead the assessment, refinement, and ongoing maturation of global job architecture and leveling ... total rewards offerings * Develop relationships and other mechanisms for gathering feedback and ...

$86K - $116K/yr

Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the District's Total Rewards philosophy and practices * Ensure compensation and benefits programs align with workforce strategy ...

Total Rewards Manager

Scottsdale, AZ · On-site

$80K - $108K/yr

We believe exceptional employee experiences lead to exceptional patient experiences, and our Total Rewards strategy plays a critical role in attracting, engaging, and retaining the talented people ...

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Total Rewards Lead information

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How much do total rewards lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for total rewards lead in the United States is $23.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $26.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a total rewards lead?

Total Rewards Leads are professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and managing an organization's total rewards strategy, which includes compensation, benefits, recognition, and other incentives. Their goal is to attract, motivate, and retain employees by ensuring that the organization's reward programs are competitive and aligned with business objectives. They often analyze market trends, oversee salary structures, and coordinate with HR and leadership teams to ensure fair and equitable rewards. Total Rewards Leads play a critical role in shaping a positive workplace culture and employee experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a total rewards lead?

To excel as a Total Rewards Lead, you need expertise in compensation and benefits design, HR analytics, and a strong understanding of employment laws, typically supported by a degree in human resources or a related field. Familiarity with HRIS platforms, compensation benchmarking tools, and relevant certifications like CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) are highly valued. Exceptional communication, analytical thinking, and stakeholder management skills help drive effective reward strategies and cross-functional collaboration. These capabilities are crucial for designing competitive total rewards programs that attract, retain, and motivate top talent while ensuring compliance and organizational alignment.

How does a total rewards lead typically collaborate with other departments to develop effective compensation and benefits programs?

A Total Rewards Lead regularly works with HR, Finance, and department managers to ensure compensation and benefits programs align with organizational goals and employee needs. They gather input from these teams to understand market trends, budget constraints, and workforce requirements. This collaboration helps to design packages that are both competitive and sustainable, while also ensuring compliance with regulations. Open communication and cross-functional meetings are common to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the process.

What is the difference between Total Rewards Lead vs Compensation Analyst?

AspectTotal Rewards LeadCompensation Analyst
CredentialsBachelor’s degree, HR certifications (e.g., CCP, CBP)Bachelor’s degree, often HR or finance-related
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, cross-departmentalAnalytical, data-driven, focused on compensation data
Industry UsageUsed in larger organizations for overseeing total rewards programsCommon in HR departments for compensation analysis
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding strategic rewards managementAnalyzing compensation structures and data

The Total Rewards Lead typically oversees comprehensive employee compensation and benefits strategies, focusing on aligning rewards with organizational goals. In contrast, a Compensation Analyst primarily analyzes compensation data to support salary structures and pay policies. While both roles require HR knowledge and relevant certifications, the Lead has a broader, strategic scope, whereas the Analyst is more data-focused and operational.

More about Total Rewards Lead jobs
Infographic showing various Total Rewards Lead job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,501 per year, or $23.3 per hour.

Director, Total Rewards

Imagine Staffing Technology

Atlanta, GA

$180K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Director, Total Rewards
Location: Atlanta, GA
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Pay Range: $180,000–$210,000 base salary plus 20% target incentive compensation
Work Model: Onsite
Schedule: Full-Time, Standard Business Hours
Recruiter Contact: Samantha Marranca | smarranca@imaginegroup.com
Nature & Scope:
Positional Overview
Our client is seeking a Director of Total Rewards to lead the enterprise strategy and execution of compensation, benefits, retirement, health and welfare, payroll, and executive reward programs. This is a broad leadership role with direct ownership of payroll execution and compliance—not simply oversight—and responsibility for delivering accurate, competitive, and financially sustainable programs.
The successful candidate will bring deep technical expertise, exceptional attention to detail, and the executive presence to advise senior leaders on complex rewards and compliance matters. This leader must also balance risk management with a practical, employee-centered approach and demonstrate the financial judgment needed to evaluate cost, trade-offs, and return on investment.
Role & Responsibility:
Tasks That Will Lead To Your Success
  • Lead the enterprise total rewards framework across compensation, benefits, retirement, health and welfare, executive rewards, and related programs.
  • Own payroll execution, controls, accuracy, and compliance, ensuring clean and timely processing across the organization.
  • Lead annual compensation planning, merit review, incentive administration, and open enrollment cycles.
  • Design, evaluate, and administer executive compensation and executive benefit programs in partnership with senior leadership and legal counsel.
  • Maintain authoritative knowledge of FMLA, ADAAA, COBRA, HIPAA, FLSA, and other applicable employment and benefits regulations.
  • Manage benefit, payroll, retirement, and consulting vendors; establish service expectations, monitor performance, and address issues proactively.
  • Use market data, analytics, and financial modeling to assess competitiveness, program cost, employee impact, and ROI.
  • Identify and remediate compliance, process, and control risks with a high degree of precision and accountability.
  • Lead and develop the Total Rewards team while serving as an active, credible member of the director-level leadership group.
Required Experience
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, total rewards, payroll, HRIS, or a closely related discipline.
  • Substantial leadership and people-management experience, with demonstrated success leading technical HR professionals and enterprise programs.
  • Direct, hands-on ownership of payroll execution and payroll compliance.
  • Deep expertise in compensation, benefits, executive rewards, and regulatory compliance, including FMLA, ADAAA, COBRA, HIPAA, and FLSA.
  • Strong analytical ability and exceptional attention to detail, particularly in high-risk or compliance-sensitive work.
  • Executive presence and the ability to independently advise senior leaders, legal counsel, and other business partners.
  • Financial literacy, including budget management, cost analysis, trade-off evaluation, and ROI assessment.
  • Strong judgment, discretion, communication, and vendor-management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related discipline; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
  • Experience with UKG or a comparable enterprise HR/payroll platform.
  • Experience designing or administering executive compensation and benefit plans.
  • Professional certification such as CCP, CEBS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or a comparable credential.
  • Experience supporting a distributed, multi-location organization.
Team & Environment
  • Reports to the Vice President of Human Resources and leads a team with responsibility for compensation, benefits, payroll, and related programs.
  • Culture emphasizes approachability, curiosity, energy, accountability, speed, and genuine care for people.
This is a confidential search. The company name will be disclosed only to candidates approved to move forward in the process. This position requires regular onsite presence in Atlanta, GA. Relocation assistance is not available.