Director of Total Rewards

Merlin Labs•Boston, MA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

You are a strategic and hands-on total rewards leader who drives the design, execution, and evolution of compensation, equity, benefits, and recognition programs within a software-focused organization. You partner closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teamsâincluding Finance, Legal, and Peopleâto build competitive, scalable rewards programs that align with business strategy and support company growth.

Requirements

8â12+ years of progressive experience in total rewards, compensation, or related HR disciplines
Proven experience leading total rewards programs in a software, technology, or product-driven environment
Deep expertise in compensation design, equity programs, and benefits strategy
Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to balance market competitiveness, internal equity, and cost discipline
Experience supporting executive leadership and board-level compensation discussions
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into clear recommendations
Knowledge of relevant employment and compensation regulations
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization

Nice To Haves

Experience in a high-growth, scaling, or pre-IPO environment
Public company and/or SOX exposure
Global compensation and benefits experience
Experience building or scaling a total rewards function
Familiarity with modern HRIS and compensation tools (e.g., Workday, Radford, Pave, Carta)

Responsibilities

Define and execute a comprehensive total rewards strategy aligned with company growth, talent priorities, and business objectives
Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on compensation philosophy, equity strategy, and rewards tradeoffs
Own compensation architecture, including job leveling, salary bands, and pay-for-performance frameworks
Lead annual compensation planning cycles (merit, bonus, and promotion) in partnership with Finance and HRBP
Design, administer, and evolve equity programs (e.g., stock options, RSUs), including new hire grants, refresh cycles, and executive compensation support
Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including pay transparency, wage and hour, and public-company or pre-IPO standards as applicable
Oversee benefits strategy and administration, including health, retirement, wellness, and leave programs
Manage benefits vendors, brokers, and annual renewals with a focus on cost management and employee experience
Establish strong governance, policies, controls, and documentation across all total rewards programs
Lead rewards analytics, benchmarking, and reporting to support data-driven decision-making
Work with the CPO to prepare materials for executive leadership, compensation committee, and board discussions, as needed
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing total rewards team (as applicable)
Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, Payroll, and IT to deliver integrated solutions and operational efficiencies
Support workforce planning, organizational change, and M&A initiatives from a total rewards perspective

Benefits

catered lunches featuring a rotating menu of delicious options
an assortment of snacks
a selection of beverages, including coffee, tea, and other drinks
top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match)
work/life integration

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