Senior Total Rewards Consultant

Aston Carter•Detroit, MI

7d•$58 - $72•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Total Rewards Consultant (contract) will serve as the interim leader for Total Rewards, ensuring continuity and stability across compensation, benefits, and retirement programs while the current leader focuses on a strategic transformation initiative. This role requires more than 10 years of progressive experience in Total Rewards and deep expertise in compensation structures, benefits strategy and administration, and retirement plans including 401(k) and pension governance. The consultant will operate with a high degree of independence, support a large and complex organizational environment, and provide both strategic guidance and hands-on operational support to maintain and enhance Total Rewards programs during a critical period of change.

Requirements

Minimum of 6 years of progressive Total Rewards experience, with deep expertise in compensation, benefits, and retirement programs.
Proven experience supporting large, complex organizations and navigating matrixed environments.
Ability to operate independently and provide both strategic guidance and hands-on operational support.
Extensive experience with retirement plans, including 401(k), pension, deferred compensation, and related governance requirements.
Strong background in benefits strategy, administration, and vendor management.
Expertise in executive and broad-based compensation programs, including design and administration.
Experience managing annual compensation planning cycles, including merit, bonus, and incentive programs.
Proficiency in market pricing and compensation benchmarking to ensure competitive pay practices.
Knowledge of benefits compliance and regulatory requirements, including leave programs such as FMLA.
Experience in benefits and leave administration, including day-to-day operations and issue resolution.
Strong skills in compensation analysis and retirement benefits administration.
Ability to partner effectively with HR Business Partners, Finance, Legal, and external vendors.
Demonstrated capability in project management and strategy within human resources management.
Experience working with retirement planning software and related tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience partnering with HR leadership and executive teams to shape Total Rewards strategy and programs.
background in leading or supporting Total Rewards transformations and change initiatives.
Familiarity with Workday or similar HRIS platforms for data management and reporting.
Experience with vendor selection, negotiation, and relationship management for benefits and retirement plan providers.
Consulting background or experience working in highly matrixed organizations.
Experience with mergers and acquisitions, particularly in integrating and harmonizing compensation, benefits, and retirement plans.
Ability to contribute to the development and communication of the employee value proposition and Total Rewards communications.
Strong strategic thinking skills combined with a practical, execution-focused approach.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively across functions and with external partners.
Interest in long-term opportunities, with potential for future growth based on strong performance in this role.

Responsibilities

Serve as the interim Total Rewards lead while the Director is dedicated to strategic project work, providing continuity and leadership for all Total Rewards programs.
Manage day-to-day compensation and benefits operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant administration of all programs.
Oversee retirement plan administration and governance, including 401(k), pension, deferred compensation, and related vendor relationships.
Support annual compensation review cycles and incentive programs, including planning, analysis, and execution.
Provide strategic guidance on benefits and retirement plan design, administration, and long-term program direction.
Partner closely with HR Business Partners, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to align Total Rewards programs with organizational goals.
Identify risks across compensation, benefits, and retirement programs and implement measures to ensure continuity of critical Total Rewards processes.
Lead or support Total Rewards transformation activities as needed, contributing to strategic initiatives and change management efforts.
Create, refine, and oversee benefit plans, including plan design, implementation, and ongoing optimization.
Manage benefits and leave administration, including FMLA and related compliance requirements.
Conduct compensation analysis, including market pricing and benchmarking, to ensure competitive and equitable pay practices.
Support the development and communication of the employee value proposition and Total Rewards messaging to enhance employee understanding and engagement.
Participate in or support mergers and acquisitions activities as they relate to compensation, benefits, and retirement programs.
Collaborate on vendor selection, negotiation, and ongoing relationship management for benefits and retirement plan providers.
Utilize retirement planning software and HRIS tools to support accurate reporting, analysis, and administration of Total Rewards programs.
Apply strong project management skills to plan, coordinate, and deliver Total Rewards initiatives on time and within scope.