Vice President Total Rewards

JCrew • New York, NY

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

J.Crew Group seeks an accomplished Vice President of Total Rewards to provide strategic leadership and operational excellence across all aspects of compensation, benefits, and HR technology. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, this role will lead a team of 8 professionals and serve as a key strategic partner to executive leadership, the Board of Directors Compensation Committee, and HR business partners across the organization. The VP Total Rewards will be responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing total rewards programs that attract, retain, and motivate talent across our diverse workforce of corporate, retail, distribution, and customer care associates.

Requirements

• Minimum 12-15 years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, and HR technology with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven track record leading Total Rewards functions in complex, multi-unit organizations with diverse workforce populations including hourly and salaried associates
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing high-performing teams of 5+ professionals
• Deep expertise in executive compensation design, governance, and Board Compensation Committee support
• Strong analytical capabilities with proven ability to leverage data analytics and technology to drive insights and improve decision-making
• Excellent strategic thinking, communication, influence, and relationship-building skills with ability to engage effectively at all organizational levels
• Thorough knowledge of compensation and benefits regulations, compliance requirements, and market practices

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field; advanced degree (MBA, MS) preferred
• Professional certification such as CCP (Certified Compensation Professional), CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist), or CBP (Certified Benefits Professional)
• Extensive experience in retail, consumer products, or multi-unit operational environments with exposure to stores, distribution centers, and customer service operations
• Expert-level proficiency with Workday HCM and compensation/benefits modules
• Experience leading organizations through transformation, growth, or restructuring with ability to balance innovation and stability

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive Total Rewards strategy that aligns with J.Crew Group's business objectives, competitive positioning, and talent acquisition and retention goals across all business units
• Partner with the Chief People Officer and senior leadership team to translate business strategy into innovative compensation and benefits programs that drive organizational performance
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors Compensation Committee, providing expert guidance on executive compensation philosophy, market trends, regulatory requirements, and program design
• Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and continuous optimization of Workday and other HR technology platforms to enhance total rewards delivery and employee experience
• Design and oversee all compensation programs including base salary structures, annual bonus plans, long-term incentive programs, sales incentives, and equity compensation to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity
• Lead annual compensation planning cycles including merit increases, promotional adjustments, market adjustments, and incentive plan design with full collaboration across Finance, HR Business Partners, and business leadership
• Provide strategic counsel on complex compensation matters including executive hiring packages, retention strategies, restructuring impacts, and special recognition programs
• Partner with Finance to establish compensation budgets, conduct cost modeling, and ensure programs deliver strong ROI while maintaining fiscal responsibility
• Oversee the strategic design, vendor management, and ongoing administration of comprehensive benefits programs including health and welfare plans, 401(k)/retirement programs, voluntary benefits, leave programs, and wellness initiatives
• Lead vendor selection, contract negotiations, and relationship management to ensure delivery of high-quality, cost-effective benefits that enhance associate wellbeing and engagement
• Monitor benefits trends, regulatory changes, and competitive practices to ensure programs remain compliant, competitive, and aligned with organizational values and associate needs
• Develop and execute benefits communication strategies that drive awareness, understanding, and appreciation of total rewards investment
• Champion data-driven decision making by developing sophisticated analytics, dashboards, and reporting capabilities that provide actionable insights on compensation trends, benefits utilization, program effectiveness, and workforce cost management
• Leverage technology to streamline processes, improve data accuracy, enhance the associate experience, and enable self-service capabilities across all total rewards programs
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimize HR technology infrastructure and ensure systems support evolving business needs
• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of 8 Total Rewards professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning
• Serve as an active member of the HR Leadership Team, contributing strategic perspective on organizational initiatives and collaborating with HR Business Partners to address the unique needs of diverse associate populations across stores, distribution centers, customer care, and corporate offices
• Build strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders including Finance, Legal, Payroll, Accounting, Tax, IT, and Corporate Communications to ensure integrated program delivery and organizational alignment

Benefits

• Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.
• We love our products just as much as you do! That’s why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).
• In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months.
• We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.
• In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive