Assistant HR Director, Total Rewards

Travis County•Austin, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Travis County is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Assistant Director of Total Rewards to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of compensation, classification, and employee benefits programs serving approximately 5,000 employees. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this senior-level human resources management position leads a team of two direct reports and ten indirect reports and serves as backup in the Chief Human Resources Officer’s absence. The role is part of the HR leadership team and collaborates with the Planning & Budget Office, elected and appointed officials, department leaders, and other stakeholders to advance County priorities. The Assistant Director develops and executes equitable, competitive, and financially sustainable total rewards strategies, including compensation, classification, employee benefits, and work-life programs. The role oversees compensation and classification studies, salary structures, market positioning, pay equity and compression reviews, and self-funded medical and pharmacy programs. It also oversees plan design, cost containment, vendor and consultant relationships, employee communications, and annual enrollment planning, and presents recommendations to Commissioners Court and other audiences. The position manages operating budgets, contracts, procurement and RFPs, actuaries, consultants, and third-party administrators, while evaluating program effectiveness using market data, employee feedback, benefits utilization, financial performance, and service measures. The Assistant Director develops staff and managers, sets clear performance expectations, keeps abreast of market and legislative or regulatory trends, and leads initiatives to modernize HR services and improve employee experience and organizational outcomes. The position may require a flexible work schedule to meet department needs. Work location is 700 Lavaca St., Austin, Texas. Criminal, education, and employment background checks are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Personnel Management, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a directly related field, and seven years of directly related demonstrated Human Resources experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the duties.
Five years of experience in a responsible position within Total Rewards.
Three years of mid- to senior-level supervisory or management experience.
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations, codes, and laws, including employment laws, affirmative action, Title VII, the Equal Pay Act, FLSA, ADA, FMLA, EEOC requirements, I-9, HIPAA, COBRA, and ACA.
Knowledge of Human Resources management and leadership, compensation, classification and benefits design and administration, change management, negotiation, budgeting, program evaluation, vendor and contract management, and project management.
Knowledge of state and local government budgeting, planning, systems, documents, issues, and trends, as well as HR procedures, codes, terminology, and developments.
Skill in developing, implementing, interpreting, applying, and enforcing HR policies and procedures in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, and codes.
Skill in contract, vendor, project, and budget management; strategic planning; and developing program evaluation tools.
Skill in using HRIS, databases, advanced Microsoft Excel, and other information systems and software tools.
Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex technical issues in clear, nontechnical language.
Ability to influence all levels of an organization and maintain effective relationships with external partners.
Ability to manage, assign, supervise, motivate, train, and evaluate professional and administrative support staff.
Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws; plan and prioritize multiple assignments; exercise sound judgment; and meet concurrent deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Ability to design and conduct employee training, work independently, ensure compliance, and make effective public presentations.
Ability to build effective working relationships with County employees and officials and collaborate with diverse groups, including elected officials, leaders, employees, and external partners.
Ability to think strategically, develop a long-term vision for total rewards services, analyze compensation data, and make evidence-based decisions.
Ability to synthesize and communicate complex HR program information to executives, managers, employees, and other stakeholders.
Ability to lead effectively, set goals, develop talent, and foster a collaborative, integrated, and accountable work environment.
Ability to identify barriers to change and develop strategies to overcome them.
Ability to analyze and manipulate data using spreadsheets, databases, and other software tools.
Ability to meet the physical requirements described in the posting, including occasionally lifting or carrying up to 20–50 pounds and performing listed movements and office-equipment tasks.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Personnel Administration, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, or a directly related field.
Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP).
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
Experience leading compensation studies and administering or overseeing self-funded benefits in a large, complex organization.
Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) experience.
Demonstrated competencies in organizational commitment, teamwork, negotiations, change management, adaptability, conflict resolution, initiative, and project management.
Experience that includes training delivery.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of Benefits and Compensation & Classification, including developing managers and professional staff and setting clear performance expectations.
Oversee and lead functional staff and serve as backup in the absence of the Chief Human Resources Officer.
Provide strategic direction to County leaders on the design, implementation, employee communication, and administration of compensation, classification, and benefits programs.
Develop and execute an equitable, competitive, and financially sustainable total rewards strategy encompassing compensation, classification, employee benefits, and work-life programs.
Lead compensation and classification strategy, including market studies, salary structures, internal equity, pay compression analysis, and recruitment and retention recommendations.
Lead complex initiatives, including compensation and classification studies, pay equity and compression reviews, and benefits modernization.
Apply research, market surveys, cost-benefit analysis, and workforce data to develop salary structures, market positioning, and compensation recommendations.
Oversee self-funded medical and pharmacy programs, plan design and cost containment, consultants, actuaries, third-party administrators, employee communications, and open enrollment.
Evaluate program effectiveness using market data, employee feedback, benefits utilization, financial performance, and service measures, and recommend improvements aligned with County priorities.
Manage operating budgets, contracts, procurement and RFPs, actuaries, consultants, and third-party administrators, ensuring fiscal stewardship and service quality.
Coordinate with Commissioners Court, divisions, departments, agencies, organizations, elected and appointed officials, department heads, managers, and employees to accomplish organizational goals.
Advise, consult, and collaborate with stakeholders on proposed, new, and existing HR programs, policies, and operational procedures.
Partner across HR divisions and County departments to strengthen service delivery, share information, simplify processes, and implement sustainable improvements.
Keep abreast of market and legislative or regulatory trends.
Present recommendations to Commissioners Court and other stakeholders, and explain technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
Advise and serve on County committees as assigned.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.