Sr. Manager, Total Rewards

Gemological Institute of America•Carlsbad, CA

2d•$136,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will lead and oversee the development, implementation, and administration of global compensation and benefits programs. This role ensures programs are competitive, equitable, compliant with all regulations, and aligned with the company's strategic goals and values. Strategy & Design: Partner to develop and evolve the global total rewards philosophy, strategy, frameworks, and policies across laboratory, research, education and corporate functions. Design and administer competitive global base pay, variable pay, recognition and benefit programs. Ensure programs are equitable, meet employee needs, and align with company’s strategic goals. Program Management & Administration: Oversee the design and administration of job architecture, salary structures, and merit planning globally. Lead annual compensation cycles, including merit increases, promotions, and bonus payouts. Manage and optimize all benefits programs, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and wellness initiatives. Partner with global brokers and vendors to manage global benefits administration, renewals, and cost optimization. Develop and deliver effective communication and training materials for employees and managers regarding compensation and benefits programs. Market Analysis & Benchmarking: Conduct comprehensive market research and salary surveys to assess competitive compensation trends. Evaluate existing benefits programs against peer organizations to ensure competitiveness. Analyze and interpret compensation and benefits data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement. Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and international compensation and benefits laws and regulations, including pay transparency and equity laws. Lead pay equity and bias testing analysis and develop action plans to address any identified risks. Partner with Legal and Finance to ensure compliance with global laws and regulations, including tax and accounting requirements. Collaboration & Leadership: Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to provide compensation expertise and data-driven guidance. Advise leaders, managers, and HR on compensation strategy, pay decisions, and best practices. Build strong partnerships with the HR Business Partner team, Talent Acquisition, Payroll, Legal, Finance, and Accounting teams. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, curiosity, and service orientation. Analytics & Reporting Develop and deliver reports, and insights for senior leaders, enabling data-driven decisions related to compensation strategy and spending. Monitor compensation trends and proactively identify opportunities for optimization. Partner with benefit brokers to optimize benefits programs to improve employee engagement, control costs, and ensure regulatory compliance. Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

Analyzing compensation data, conducting market research, and creating financial models are crucial for designing and evaluating compensation and benefits programs
Analytical & Critical Thinking: Applying critical thinking to translate complex data into actionable insights, evaluate different compensation and benefits options and make informed recommendations.
Project Management: Strong project management skills and an ability to lead activities while balancing conflicting priorities and business needs.
Change Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives and build leadership capability to sustain transformation.
Communication & Influence: Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills with executive presence.
Enterprise Thinking: Capable of balancing local needs with global priorities in a matrixed organization.
Technology Proficiency: Experience with HCM systems (Workday preferred), analytics dashboards, and virtual collaboration tools.
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in compensation and benefits, with a focus on global compensation / benefit program leadership working across cultures, regions, and regulatory environments.
Experience with market benchmarking, salary structure design, job architecture, benefits design, and recognition programs.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Certification in compensation (CCP) or benefits (CEBS) is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner to develop and evolve the global total rewards philosophy, strategy, frameworks, and policies across laboratory, research, education and corporate functions.
Design and administer competitive global base pay, variable pay, recognition and benefit programs.
Oversee the design and administration of job architecture, salary structures, and merit planning globally.
Lead annual compensation cycles, including merit increases, promotions, and bonus payouts.
Manage and optimize all benefits programs, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and wellness initiatives.
Partner with global brokers and vendors to manage global benefits administration, renewals, and cost optimization.
Develop and deliver effective communication and training materials for employees and managers regarding compensation and benefits programs.
Conduct comprehensive market research and salary surveys to assess competitive compensation trends.
Evaluate existing benefits programs against peer organizations to ensure competitiveness.
Analyze and interpret compensation and benefits data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and international compensation and benefits laws and regulations, including pay transparency and equity laws.
Lead pay equity and bias testing analysis and develop action plans to address any identified risks.
Partner with Legal and Finance to ensure compliance with global laws and regulations, including tax and accounting requirements.
Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to provide compensation expertise and data-driven guidance.
Advise leaders, managers, and HR on compensation strategy, pay decisions, and best practices.
Build strong partnerships with the HR Business Partner team, Talent Acquisition, Payroll, Legal, Finance, and Accounting teams.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, curiosity, and service orientation.
Develop and deliver reports, and insights for senior leaders, enabling data-driven decisions related to compensation strategy and spending.
Monitor compensation trends and proactively identify opportunities for optimization.
Partner with benefit brokers to optimize benefits programs to improve employee engagement, control costs, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Performs other duties as assigned