Director, People Operations & Total Rewards

Cadent, LLC•New York, NY

43d•$180,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Cadent ignites seamless connections between brands, publishers & consumers. Our predictive AI orchestrates outcomes on any platform customers are on, across any media they consume & at any stage of the journey. To learn more, please visit cadent.com. We're recruiting a Director, People Operations & Total Rewards to join our People team in New York, NY. Reporting to the SVP, People - Talent and Operations, this role will lead the design and delivery of Cadent's HR operations, technology, and total rewards programs. The Director will oversee HR systems, compensation, benefits, and compliance - from tactical execution through strategic design - ensuring our programs support business goals and deliver an exceptional employee experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., CCP, CEBS, PHR/SPHR, SHRM-SCP) a plus.
10+ years of progressive HR experience, with strong expertise across HRIS, HR technology, compensation, and benefits.
Hands-on experience with ADP and other HR technology platforms, including system design and optimization.
Proven ability to design and execute total rewards and benefits strategies that support growth, equity, and retention.
Experience managing vendor relationships for benefits and retirement programs, including 401(k), healthcare, and insurance brokers.
Strong analytical and financial acumen; ability to model, interpret, and present data for decision-making.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; able to translate technical/HR concepts into business terms.
Demonstrated success working in lean, high-growth environments, with comfort navigating ambiguity and creating structure.
Experience managing and developing HR operations and compliance programs (immigration, LOA, onboarding/offboarding).
Strategic thinker who is also willing to roll up sleeves and drive initiatives end-to-end.

Responsibilities

Lead People Operations, including HR systems, HR technology, process optimization, and compliance.
Serve as the functional owner of the HRIS (ADP preferred), including system design, reporting, data governance, and integrations.
Oversee core HR operations such as leaves of absence (LOA), immigration, compliance, onboarding, and offboarding.
Develop and execute Cadent's total rewards strategy, including compensation and benefits programs that balance competitiveness, equity, and fiscal responsibility.
Oversee the annual compensation planning cycle (merit, bonus, promotions) and benefits renewals.
Manage relationships with external benefits vendors, brokers, and consultants (e.g., healthcare, 401(k), insurance providers) to ensure cost-effective, high-quality programs.
Lead annual Open Enrollment processes, including plan design, communications, and execution.
Partner with Finance and leadership on budgeting, workforce planning, and compensation modeling.
Assess, implement, and optimize HR technology solutions to improve efficiency and employee experience.
Provide leadership and guidance on compliance, reporting, and best practices across HR operations and rewards.
As the organization grows, build and scale a broader team, including future Compensation and Benefits leadership.