Charlotte - Associate Director of Total Rewards

Winston Taylor • Chicago, IL

13d • $175,000 - $235,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Total Rewards is a key member of the Total Rewards leadership team and a strategic partner to the Director of Total Rewards. The role shapes the Firm’s compensation, benefits, and wellbeing strategy and is responsible for designing, delivering, and continuously improving programs that are competitive, compliant, financially sustainable, and aligned with business objectives. As a trusted advisor to firm leadership, this role collaborates across the global Talent organization, including colleagues in London and other international offices, to align the Total Rewards philosophy while accounting for regional practices, regulations, and business needs.

The Associate Director leads global benefits and wellness programs, vendor and consultant relationships, compliance and reporting, leaves and escalated benefits matters, and annual Open Enrollment. The role also oversees business professional and paralegal compensation structures, market pricing, compensation analytics, communications, and compliance. It advances a holistic Total Rewards philosophy and leads cross-functional initiatives to improve processes, technology, and employee experience. Success requires strong relationship-building and leadership skills, executive presence, and the ability to influence effectively in a complex, matrixed professional services environment.

The role requires living within commuting distance of a local office and working in the office three to four days per week. The posting provides salary ranges for New York and Washington, DC applicants only; it does not specify a Charlotte salary range.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience leading Total Rewards, Benefits, Compensation, or related HR functions within a complex professional services organization.
• Must live within commuting distance of a local office and be willing to work in the office three to four days per week.
• Demonstrated experience designing and administering comprehensive compensation and benefits programs.
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical capability and ability to translate complex data into strategic business recommendations.
• Deep expertise in global benefits regulations, compensation compliance, and evolving industry best practices.
• Client-service orientation and a track record of resolving highly complex organizational challenges with innovative solutions.
• Ability to build credibility and influence senior leaders, exercising sound judgment in complex and sensitive situations.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to establish trusted partnerships across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity, drive organizational change, and gain buy-in for programs, processes, and strategies.
• Ability to connect Total Rewards strategies to business objectives and deliver solutions that support firm performance.
• Ability to manage highly confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree or professional certification such as CEBS, CCP, SPHR, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Architect, evaluate, and continuously improve global health and welfare benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, leaves, and Open Enrollment.
• Partner with the Director of Total Rewards to develop and execute benefits strategy aligned with market trends, business priorities, and workforce needs.
• Use analytics, benchmarking, and market intelligence to evaluate program effectiveness, forecast trends, and recommend enhancements.
• Lead relationships with benefit vendors, brokers, consultants, and third-party administrators, including annual renewals, budget planning, and financial forecasting.
• Develop benefit plan strategies and design recommendations with insurance brokers and present recommendations to the Insurance Committee.
• Serve as an administrative member of the Insurance Committee and ensure compliance and structural integrity of plan descriptions, documentation, and communications.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and FMLA.
• Develop and execute communications to increase employee understanding and appreciation of Total Rewards offerings.
• Lead and develop benefits team members, promoting accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Direct consultants and internal teams responsible for annual audits and regulatory reporting, including ACA, Form 5500, FAS 106, and Rx Reporting.
• Oversee complex leaves of absence, ADA accommodations, and escalated benefits matters in partnership with HR Business Partners and legal counsel.
• Lead annual Open Enrollment execution, including technology integration, executive communications, and employee experience.
• Partner with EME Talent leaders to align global benefits and wellbeing programs while respecting regional requirements and market practices.
• Build relationships with firm leaders and business professionals to understand workforce needs and support attraction, engagement, and retention.
• Lead compensation analytics, market trend analysis, and reporting to inform business professional compensation architectures.
• Own communications for compensation-related matters, supporting transparency, equity, and alignment with firm culture.
• Oversee business professional and paralegal compensation structures, including annual merit, promotion, and market adjustment processes.
• Govern market-pricing strategy and frameworks for new and existing positions to support internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Monitor compensation trends, pay transparency requirements, and emerging market developments and provide strategic recommendations to firm leadership.
• Ensure compensation processes, systems, and classifications comply with applicable wage and hour regulations.
• Collaborate with Talent, Finance, and business leaders across regions to align compensation programs with firm strategy, talent objectives, and employee experience.
• Partner with recruiting leadership to assess market competitiveness and support talent acquisition and retention goals.
• Advance a holistic Total Rewards philosophy integrating compensation, benefits, wellbeing, and employee experience.
• Advise firm leadership on workforce trends, employee value proposition, and Total Rewards strategies that support growth and business performance.
• Collaborate with global Talent leaders to identify opportunities for greater consistency, efficiency, and scalability across Total Rewards programs.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives involving HR technology, process optimization, automation, and employee experience enhancements.
• Design and implement wellbeing initiatives supporting physical, mental, and financial wellness and employee engagement.
• Build partnerships with HR, Finance, IT, Recruiting, and business leadership, and lead through influence in a matrixed environment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits providing a full spectrum of coverage and support for full-time employees and their families.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits package.
• Yearly retirement contribution.
• May include an annual discretionary merit bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior