Director, Compensation & Benefits

Axiom Space•Houston, TX

About The Position

Axiom Space is a human space exploration company, building era-defining space infrastructure and delivering technology-driven solutions that will empower civilization to transcend Earth. Beginning with Axiom Station, successor to the International Space Station, the company is pioneering a next-generation orbital settlement that will foster groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity and drive the global space economy of tomorrow. Today, guided by the vision of leading humanity's expansion off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and beyond. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com . Axiom Space fosters a work environment inclusive of all perspectives. We are the pioneers of commercial space, leading the transformation of low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace. Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and agile Director, Compensation & Benefits who is fueled by high ownership, execution horsepower, growth mindset, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond. POSITION SUMMARY The Director, Compensation & Benefits is a strategic HR leader, with hands-on expertise, responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining total rewards programs that attract, retain, and motivate top talent. This role ensures competitive, equitable, and performance-driven compensation structures aligned with business objectives. This leader will bring both analytical rigor and business acumen balancing market competitiveness, internal equity, regulatory compliance, and financial stewardship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in human resources, finance accounting or possesses an approved combined equivalent of education and experience.
10+ years of progressive human resources, compensation and benefits experience.
3+ years leading compensation strategy at a manager or director level.
Strong financial acumen and advanced analytics capability to include using advanced systems to automate tasks, perform in-depth data analysis, create dynamic visualizations, and build complex financial or business models for sophisticated data manipulation and reporting for informed, smarter decision-making.
Deep knowledge of compensation design, job architecture, and market pricing.
Strategic thinker with operational execution capability with precision and pace
Data-driven decision maker
Executive presence and influencing skills
High integrity and sound judgment
Strong project management discipline, highly organized, and takes ownership
Ability to balance employee experience with financial discipline
Understands compensation programs aligned to business performance
Successfully differentiates high performers in high-growth Aerotech company
Forges strong partnership with Finance and Executive leadership
Measures improvements in attraction and retention outcomes
Strong agility and adaptability to integrate quickly into a small team
Maintains a high level of discretion with confidential matters
Passion for space and the mission
Entrepreneurial, growth mindset
High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally
Tech-solutioning in using systems and tools to move smarter and faster
Embody our core values of Leadership , Innovation , and Teamwork.
Accountability
Technical Rigor
Execution Discipline
Pride of Delivery
Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position.
Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical milestones.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a publicly traded company is preferred.
Experience supporting executive compensation and Board reporting.
CCP, CEBS, or related certification preferred.
Experience with Workday.
Experience in International Global Compensation Administration (non-US) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Compensation Strategy and Program Design Lead enterprise-wide compensation strategy, including base pay, short-term incentives plans, and long-term incentive plans to include Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) programs.
Conduct market benchmarking and recommend pay positioning aligned to talent strategy.
Design and manage salary structures, job architecture, and pay equity initiatives.
Partner with Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, and compensation modeling.
Oversee annual compensation planning cycle to include base pay increases and incentives.
Executive & Incentive Programs Design and administer executive compensation programs, including equity, perks and executive perquisites.
Prepare materials and analysis for executive leadership and Board/Compensation Committee.
Ensure alignment between pay-for-performance philosophy and business outcomes.
Benefits Strategy & Administration Lead benefits strategy including health & welfare, retirement, wellness, and leave programs.
Evaluate vendors and negotiate contracts to optimize cost and value.
Drive employee education and engagement around total reward offerings.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding benefits inquiries, clarifications, and issue resolution.
Compliance & Governance Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (FLSA, ERISA, ACA, Payroll, etc.).
Maintain pay equity and transparency compliance.
Develop and maintain compensation policies and governance frameworks.
Stay abreast of industry trends and regulatory updates to ensure compliance across all total rewards programs.
Prepare and maintain reports, metrics, dashboards to track trends and inform decision-making.
Leadership & Stakeholder Partnership Partner with senior leadership and other People & Culture team members to align total rewards with workforce planning.
Collaborate and coach People & Culture team members and leaders to provide guidance on compensation strategies, decisions, and practices.
Build and lead a lean, high-performing total rewards team.
HRIS & Payroll Oversight Provide support for HRIS and payroll processing, ensuring maximum, seamless functionality.
Coordinate HRIS, payroll, and finance team to reconcile and resolve challenges.
Partner with other People & Culture team members to foster attraction and retention programs that are dependent on systems capability.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key duty and responsibility satisfactorily.
Perform other duties as assigned.