Director of Total Rewards and People Operations Services
About The Position
Cohen & Co is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director of Total Rewards and People Operations Services to lead the firm’s compensation, benefits, payroll, and people operations infrastructure. This leader will design a competitive, data-driven, and financially responsible total rewards strategy that aligns with our growth agenda, professional services model, and culture of excellence. Reporting to the Chief People Officer and partnering closely with the COO, Finance, Service Line Leaders, Legal, and internal committees, this role will be instrumental in scaling our programs and systems—particularly as we implement Workday HCM. The ideal candidate brings analytical rigor, operational discipline, and a steady leadership presence with the ability to balance strategic vision and tactical execution. Total Rewards Develop and lead a comprehensive total rewards strategy aligned with firm goals, professional services norms, and Cohen’s culture, serving as a trusted advisory to the Chief People Office and People & Culture team, COO, Service Line Leaders, Finance team, and relevant internal committees Design and manage compensation programs including base pay, bonus programs, long-term incentive structures, and partner-aligned compensation models. Oversee equity-related administration, including tracking, reporting, compliance, and coordination with Finance and Legal. Lead annual compensation cycles including salary benchmarking, job architecture, incentive planning, and compensation budgeting. Oversee benefits design and administration ensuring competitiveness, compliance, and an excellent employee experience. Partner with Finance, Legal, and HR leadership to ensure integrated, compliant, and data-driven rewards strategies. Partner with business and Go-To-Market leaders to evaluate incentive frameworks that support performance and revenue growth. Monitor industry trends and regulatory requirements to maintain competitive and compliant programs. People Operations Services Lead all aspects of People Operations including compliance, policies, onboarding/offboarding, and process execution. Oversee payroll operations ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Partner with Finance and Legal on tax, regulatory, and employment matters. Drive operational excellence and consistency in People Operations delivery. People Systems and Data Own the firm's Workday HCM management and ongoing system optimization. Lead the people systems roadmap, data governance, and reporting infrastructure. Ensure reliable people analytics to support workforce planning and leadership decisions. Partner with Finance, IT, and vendors to deliver scalable and integrated systems. Leadership and Partnership Serve as a strategic advisor to the CPO and senior leadership on total rewards, workforce planning, and organizational scale. Engage with executive leaders and Service Line Leaders to ensure alignment between compensation, performance, and business priorities. Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Total Rewards and People Operations team while fostering operational excellence, innovation, and inclusion. Bring a hands-on, pragmatic approach to building and maturing programs in a dynamic, evolving environment. Support preparation of compensation program summaries and materials for partner groups, committees, and leadership discussions.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required
- 10+ years progressive experience in Total Rewards and People Operations
- 5+ years in leadership roles overseeing compensation, benefits, payroll, and HR systems
- Expertise in compensation design, incentive structures, benefits compliance, payroll, and people data governance
- Experience managing HR technologies and building scalable processes
- Strong analytical capability, project leadership, and comfort operating in environments with evolving priorities
- Collaborative, thoughtful, and proactive leadership style with a focus on operational excellence
- Experience implementing or managing Workday HCM
Nice To Haves
- Professional services experience
Responsibilities
- Develop and lead a comprehensive total rewards strategy aligned with firm goals, professional services norms, and Cohen’s culture, serving as a trusted advisory to the Chief People Office and People & Culture team, COO, Service Line Leaders, Finance team, and relevant internal committees
- Design and manage compensation programs including base pay, bonus programs, long-term incentive structures, and partner-aligned compensation models.
- Oversee equity-related administration, including tracking, reporting, compliance, and coordination with Finance and Legal.
- Lead annual compensation cycles including salary benchmarking, job architecture, incentive planning, and compensation budgeting.
- Oversee benefits design and administration ensuring competitiveness, compliance, and an excellent employee experience.
- Partner with Finance, Legal, and HR leadership to ensure integrated, compliant, and data-driven rewards strategies.
- Partner with business and Go-To-Market leaders to evaluate incentive frameworks that support performance and revenue growth.
- Monitor industry trends and regulatory requirements to maintain competitive and compliant programs.
- Lead all aspects of People Operations including compliance, policies, onboarding/offboarding, and process execution.
- Oversee payroll operations ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
- Partner with Finance and Legal on tax, regulatory, and employment matters.
- Drive operational excellence and consistency in People Operations delivery.
- Own the firm's Workday HCM management and ongoing system optimization.
- Lead the people systems roadmap, data governance, and reporting infrastructure.
- Ensure reliable people analytics to support workforce planning and leadership decisions.
- Partner with Finance, IT, and vendors to deliver scalable and integrated systems.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the CPO and senior leadership on total rewards, workforce planning, and organizational scale.
- Engage with executive leaders and Service Line Leaders to ensure alignment between compensation, performance, and business priorities.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Total Rewards and People Operations team while fostering operational excellence, innovation, and inclusion.
- Bring a hands-on, pragmatic approach to building and maturing programs in a dynamic, evolving environment.
- Support preparation of compensation program summaries and materials for partner groups, committees, and leadership discussions.
Benefits
- comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package
- time off outside of your standard PTO to give back to the community
- annual discretionary merit increases and bonuses
- talent development resources to tap into growth opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
