Sr. Director, People Operations & Total Rewards

Betterment • New York City, NY

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

As Senior Director of People Operations & Total Rewards, you will shape and execute a holistic compensation strategy that is both strategic and operational. You will lead People Operations and Total Rewards, including compensation, equity, payroll, benefits, and related HR systems, ensuring programs are data-driven, competitive, and aligned with the company mission. As a trusted advisor to the CPO, CFO, and executive leadership team, you will design and execute total rewards strategies that attract, retain, and motivate talent while ensuring scalability, compliance, and financial discipline. The role combines designing scalable frameworks with hands-on operational work.

The position is based at Betterment’s NYC office. NYC-based employees are required to attend the office Monday through Thursday each week. The role offers a New York City base salary range of $200,000–$225,000 and may also be eligible for a company incentive bonus. Actual salaries may vary based on factors including location, experience, and performance; base salary is one component of total compensation.

Betterment is a technology-driven financial services company offering investing, savings, retirement, and financial wellness solutions. Its mission is to empower people to build wealth with confidence and ease.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in People Operations and Total Rewards, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Deep knowledge of payroll, benefits, and employment laws, practices, and systems.
• Proven ability to lead People Operations teams in high-growth environments.
• Experience managing HR systems and driving data accuracy and compliance.
• Strong project management and process design skills, particularly in building systems that scale with business growth, including IPO readiness.
• Collaborative, proactive, and detail-oriented approach, with a passion for operational excellence and a bias to action.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and govern compensation structures, including frameworks, pay band architecture, equity programs, and incentive plans.
• Lead market benchmarking, pay equity analyses, and compensation reviews to support competitiveness, fairness, and transparency.
• Partner with the CPO and CFO on compensation strategy, annual budgeting, and long-term incentive planning.
• Collaborate with Finance to align policies and reporting across functions and forecast compensation costs in support of workforce planning.
• Manage and continuously improve benefits programs, ensuring compliance with employment and benefits regulations.
• Build relationships with benefits providers, brokers, and HR technology vendors to optimize cost, service, and employee experience.
• Lead the payroll function and ensure payroll cycles are compliant, accurate, and timely.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, and external vendors to maintain compliance with tax and employment laws and improve payroll systems and processes.
• Own HRIS and people data infrastructure, ensuring accuracy, reporting, and actionable analytics.
• Drive operational excellence across People Operations, including payroll, onboarding and offboarding, and compliance practices.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Infertility support and WPATH-aligned transgender health benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Transit benefits and FSA and HSA options.
• Equity for all employees, including new-hire and refresher grants.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Paid parental leave.
• Fully paid four-week sabbatical in the employee’s sixth year.
• Company-paid professional coaching for all employees.
• Day-one 401(k) match and matching on qualified student loan payments.
• Potential eligibility for a company incentive bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed