Director of People Operations and Total Rewards

Harris Associates • Chicago, IL

24d

About The Position

At Harris, the true value of what makes us successful is found in our people. It is our unique mix of cultures, experiences, beliefs and backgrounds that sets Harris apart from the rest. We constantly strive to cultivate, nurture and amplify an unparalleled environment, where we value intellectual curiosity and uniqueness of thought. Inclusion is embedded in the very fabric of our culture of collaboration and openness.
We understand that a job description only tells one part of a broader story, and Harris is seeking dynamic candidates who can add to our best-in-class environment. We recognize that qualifications can be gained through both traditional and non-traditional paths, and we are committed to considering candidates who possess the potential to be excellent in this role regardless of prior experiences.
Therefore we encourage ALL interested individuals to submit their applications, even if they do not meet every requirement outlined in the job description.
The Position
The People Team is responsible for the strategic design, governance, and execution of the systems, processes, and data that power the firm’s employee lifecycle, including people operations, total rewards, workforce analytics, HR compliance, and talent acquisition.
The Director of People Operations and Total Rewards is responsible for leading a comprehensive, data‑driven people operations and total rewards strategy that supports the firm’s culture of excellence. This role oversees the systems, processes, and governance that underpin the employee experience, including HR operations, people analytics, compensation, and benefits. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the Director partners closely with team members, internal stakeholders, and cross‑functional leaders to ensure operational rigor, data integrity, and competitive total rewards programs aligned with business objectives. The ideal candidate brings analytical rigor and operational discipline, with the ability to balance strategic vision and tactical execution.
Success in this role requires a curious, strategic, hands‑on operator who is data‑fluent, business minded, and committed to building and improving systems. The role demands sound judgment, disciplined execution, and the ability to build trusted relationships across the firm in a fast‑paced, high‑expectation environment.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in Total Rewards, People Operations, or a combined role.
• Demonstrated success leading compensation programs and operational HR functions in a sophisticated organization.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using HRIS platforms (UKG preferred), compensation tools, and people analytics systems.
• Proven track record of shaping decisions and building strong, trust‑based partnerships with Finance, Technology, and senior leadership.
• Experience managing projects involving change management, system implementations, or process redesign.
• Demonstrated strengths in judgment, discretion, operational rigor, and data‑driven decision‑making.

Nice To Haves

• Background in regulated, complex, or professional‑services environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of People Operations, including HRIS strategy and oversight, system optimization, process automation and execution.
• Ensure operational rigor and controls, maintaining clear SOPs across People processes
• Continuously streamline workflows, service delivery, and elevate the employee experience through automation and simplification.
• Support HR compliance and policy management in partnership with leadership and Legal; monitor employment law changes, update policies and the employee handbook as needed, and maintain audit‑ready documentation.
• Assist in forecasting People-related costs such as benefits expenditures, office space, and workforce planning.
• Lead the People analytics function by developing scalable reporting frameworks and translating workforce data into actionable insights that support data-driven talent decisions.
• Design, build and maintain dashboards and metrics that illuminate workforce trends, talent risks, and engagement to inform leadership decision-making.
• Develop an integrated data governance strategy ensuring accuracy, consistency, and seamless reporting across systems.
• Lead the development and review of RFP responses for client and regulatory inquiries.
• Advance and refine the firm’s total rewards philosophy and framework to support firms objectives.
• Partner with the Chief People Officer to lead the annual compensation cycle, including planning, modeling, governance, and execution. Oversee market benchmarking and pay equity analysis using robust data and external surveys.
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and scenario analysis.
• Oversee market benchmarking and pay equity analysis using external survey data and robust compensation insights.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing People Operations and Total Rewards team while fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Contribute to enterprise‑wide initiatives related to people, culture, and operating model decisions.

Benefits

• medical, prescription drug, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, profit sharing plan, 401k plan, tuition reimbursement, commuter and holistic wellness benefits along with volunteer programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed