Director, Total Rewards & HRIS

ADARx Pharmaceuticals Inc.•San Diego, CA

3d•$225,000 - $275,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Total Rewards is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the design, administration, governance, and continuous improvement of the company's global compensation, equity, benefits, and will assist with People Business Systems programs. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, this role serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and is a key partner to Finance, Legal, and Information Technology. This Director/Senior Director will lead all aspects of the company's total rewards strategy, ensuring programs are competitive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with business objectives. This role will play a critical leadership role in Compensation Committee activities, including executive compensation, equity programs, market benchmarking, and Board-level reporting. Additionally, the position will assist with strategic oversight of People Business Systems, including Workday, ADP, and Applicant Tracking Systems, ensuring data integrity, operational efficiency, and scalable infrastructure to support organizational growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, executive compensation, and/or total rewards.
5+ years of leadership experience managing Total Rewards or Compensation functions.
Deep expertise in executive compensation, compensation committee governance, equity administration, and benefits strategy.
Significant experience with HR technology platforms, including Workday, ADP, Applicant Tracking Systems, and related tools.
Strong understanding of compensation regulations, securities compliance, and benefits governance.
Experience preparing materials and analyses for Compensation Committees and Boards of Directors.
Advanced analytical, financial modeling, and business acumen capabilities.
Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills.
United States (Required)
Background Check

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), or similar certification.
Experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or other highly regulated industries.
Experience supporting publicly traded companies or organizations preparing for IPO or significant growth events.
Strong knowledge of equity compensation platforms and executive compensation consulting practices.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive global total rewards strategy aligned with the company's business objectives and growth plans.
Design, implement, and continuously evaluate compensation, equity, and benefits programs to attract, retain, and motivate top talent.
Ensure programs are market competitive, fiscally responsible, and support a high-performance culture.
Provide strategic recommendations to executive leadership regarding compensation philosophy and total rewards investments.
Lead all global compensation programs, including base pay, incentives, recognition programs, and executive compensation.
Oversee annual compensation planning, merit increases, bonus programs, promotions, and salary structure management.
Conduct market pricing, benchmarking, and competitive analyses.
Partner with Finance to support workforce planning, labor cost forecasting, budgeting, and compensation modeling.
Develop compensation analytics and reporting to inform leadership decisions.
Lead the administration and strategic design of the company's equity programs.
Partner with Legal and Finance to manage stock option, RSU, and other long-term incentive plans.
Ensure compliance with applicable securities regulations, tax requirements, and corporate governance standards.
Support equity planning for new hires, promotions, retention programs, and executive compensation.
Oversee the company's global benefits strategy and programs.
Evaluate and enhance health, wellness, retirement, leave, and other employee benefit offerings.
Manage vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and annual renewals.
Ensure compliance with all benefit-related regulatory requirements.
Develop communication and education strategies that improve employee understanding and utilization of benefit programs.
Serve as the primary People & Performance leader supporting Compensation Committee activities.
Prepare Compensation Committee materials, analyses, presentations, and recommendations.
Partner with the Chief People Officer, CEO, Legal, and Finance leaders on executive compensation strategy.
Manage executive compensation benchmarking and governance processes.
Support Board and Compensation Committee meetings through data analysis, reporting, and strategic recommendations.
Assist with strategic oversight for People Business Systems, including ADP, Workday, Applicant Tracking Systems, and related platforms.
Partner with Information Technology to establish system governance, security, integrations, and automation initiatives.
Develop workforce analytics, dashboards, and reporting capabilities to support business decision-making.
Ensure compliance with compensation, equity, benefits, privacy, and employment-related regulations.
Partner closely with Legal on governance, executive compensation, and regulatory matters.
Establish and maintain strong internal controls, policies, and audit readiness.
Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting total rewards programs.
Serve as a key member of the People & Performance leadership team.
Build strong partnerships with Finance, Legal, Information Technology, and executive leaders.
Lead and develop team members while fostering operational excellence and accountability.
Support strategic initiatives and organizational growth through data-driven recommendations and scalable people programs.