Director, Total Rewards (Compensation & Benefits)
University of Rhode Island
Posting Details Position Information Posting Number SF01927 Job Title Director, Total Rewards (Compensation & Benefits) Position Number 109732 FTE 1.00 FLSA Exempt Position Type Professional Staff Union Non-Union Non-Classified Staff Pay Grade Level Grade Level: 15 Pay Grade Range Anticipated Hiring Range: Up to $140,000 Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent Department Information Department Human Resources Contact(s) Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)
Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Kingston Grant Funded No Extension Contingency Notes Job Description Summary About URI:
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston and is close to the ocean and major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. The campus is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston and New York City.
About Human Resources:
The HR team at URI is a dedicated group of professionals committed to driving the university’s mission by prioritizing our most valuable resource: our people. Currently undergoing an exciting transformation, we are focused on fostering growth, agility, and excellence to become strategic partners and trusted resources for the campus community. We strive to deliver innovative, high-quality, and compliant HR initiatives that attract, engage, develop, recognize, and retain a diverse and talented workforce. Our team works hard, supports one another, and values a collaborative and fun work environment, all while providing exceptional service to the university.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please Note: After an initial onboarding period, this role will be eligible for a HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE with one or more days per week OFFSITE.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by February 3, 2025. Applications received after February 3, 2025, may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs, but are not guaranteed full consideration.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
BASIC FUNCTION:
The Director of Total Rewards will lead the design and management of the University of Rhode Island compensation and benefits programs, driving a culture of innovation and excellence. The role leads a team of HR professionals to deliver innovative, equitable, and data-driven solutions that align with and underscore institutional priorities. The role will build strong partnerships across the University to ensure competitive compensation practices and comprehensive benefits that support employee well-being and organizational success. Researching and proposing program improvements and providing University administration with data and recommendations for use in collective bargaining and overall budget preparation will be a key way the role adds institutional value.
Duties and Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
In the area of Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop teams responsible for compensation, classification, and benefits programs.
Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and professional growth.
Build strong relationships with University leaders, HR colleagues, and external partners to achieve shared goals.
In the area of Compensation Programs: Oversee the design, implementation, and management of comprehensive compensation and classification systems.
Guide the team in conducting market analyses, ensuring pay equity, and maintaining compliance with FLSA and other standards.
Partner with departments to develop new positions, restructure roles, and align compensation practices with institutional priorities.
Provide expertise on job architecture, salary structures, career paths, and trends, while ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
In the area of Employee Benefits: Direct the administration of a broad portfolio of employee benefits, including retirement plans, health and wellness programs, disability coverage, and FMLA/leave management.
Lead efforts to enhance benefits offerings through data analysis, market research, and team collaboration.
Oversee the development of communication strategies to promote employee benefits and wellness initiatives.
Support the creation and implementation of employee recognition and orientation programs.
In the area of Strategic and Operational Leadership: Collaborate with state agencies and University leadership on classification updates, public hearings, and policy initiatives.
Provide data-driven recommendations to inform collective bargaining and budget planning.
Ensure operational excellence by leveraging analytics, reports, and surveys to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
Participate in cross-functional HR projects to drive institutional success.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform other duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printer, word processing, database management and spreadsheet software. Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
Required Qualifications REQUIRED:
1. Master’s degree. with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible compensation and benefits management experience, including team leadership OR Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of nine (9) years of progressively responsible compensation and benefits management experience, including team leadership.
2. Demonstrated expertise with compensation and benefits strategies, administration methods, practices, and techniques, including pay equity and compliance.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic action plans to address both routine and complex HR challenges.
4. Demonstrated leadership abilities with a commitment to building and growing team.
5. Demonstrated analytical skills.
6. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
7. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
8. Demonstrated experience conducting complex analysis with HRIS and other database systems.
9. Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite.
10. Demonstrated ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, rules and regulations and communicate the interpretation to others.
11. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations (including promoting inclusivity).
Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED:
1. Demonstrated experience implementing total rewards programs at higher education institutions.
2. Demonstrated experience managing ADA compliance.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
#LI-Hybrid
Environmental Conditions This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
Posting Date 01/03/2025 Closing Date Special Instructions to Applicants Please attach the following 3 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Resume.
(#3) “Other Document-References” – the names and contact information of three professional references. (Note: this document is required even though references may be listed on the application).
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/14578 Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Resume Other Document - References Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Kingston Grant Funded No Extension Contingency Notes Job Description Summary About URI:
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston and is close to the ocean and major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. The campus is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston and New York City.
About Human Resources:
The HR team at URI is a dedicated group of professionals committed to driving the university’s mission by prioritizing our most valuable resource: our people. Currently undergoing an exciting transformation, we are focused on fostering growth, agility, and excellence to become strategic partners and trusted resources for the campus community. We strive to deliver innovative, high-quality, and compliant HR initiatives that attract, engage, develop, recognize, and retain a diverse and talented workforce. Our team works hard, supports one another, and values a collaborative and fun work environment, all while providing exceptional service to the university.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please Note: After an initial onboarding period, this role will be eligible for a HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE with one or more days per week OFFSITE.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by February 3, 2025. Applications received after February 3, 2025, may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs, but are not guaranteed full consideration.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
BASIC FUNCTION:
The Director of Total Rewards will lead the design and management of the University of Rhode Island compensation and benefits programs, driving a culture of innovation and excellence. The role leads a team of HR professionals to deliver innovative, equitable, and data-driven solutions that align with and underscore institutional priorities. The role will build strong partnerships across the University to ensure competitive compensation practices and comprehensive benefits that support employee well-being and organizational success. Researching and proposing program improvements and providing University administration with data and recommendations for use in collective bargaining and overall budget preparation will be a key way the role adds institutional value.
Duties and Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
In the area of Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop teams responsible for compensation, classification, and benefits programs.
Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and professional growth.
Build strong relationships with University leaders, HR colleagues, and external partners to achieve shared goals.
In the area of Compensation Programs: Oversee the design, implementation, and management of comprehensive compensation and classification systems.
Guide the team in conducting market analyses, ensuring pay equity, and maintaining compliance with FLSA and other standards.
Partner with departments to develop new positions, restructure roles, and align compensation practices with institutional priorities.
Provide expertise on job architecture, salary structures, career paths, and trends, while ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
In the area of Employee Benefits: Direct the administration of a broad portfolio of employee benefits, including retirement plans, health and wellness programs, disability coverage, and FMLA/leave management.
Lead efforts to enhance benefits offerings through data analysis, market research, and team collaboration.
Oversee the development of communication strategies to promote employee benefits and wellness initiatives.
Support the creation and implementation of employee recognition and orientation programs.
In the area of Strategic and Operational Leadership: Collaborate with state agencies and University leadership on classification updates, public hearings, and policy initiatives.
Provide data-driven recommendations to inform collective bargaining and budget planning.
Ensure operational excellence by leveraging analytics, reports, and surveys to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
Participate in cross-functional HR projects to drive institutional success.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform other duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printer, word processing, database management and spreadsheet software. Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
Required Qualifications REQUIRED:
1. Master’s degree. with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible compensation and benefits management experience, including team leadership OR Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of nine (9) years of progressively responsible compensation and benefits management experience, including team leadership.
2. Demonstrated expertise with compensation and benefits strategies, administration methods, practices, and techniques, including pay equity and compliance.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic action plans to address both routine and complex HR challenges.
4. Demonstrated leadership abilities with a commitment to building and growing team.
5. Demonstrated analytical skills.
6. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
7. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
8. Demonstrated experience conducting complex analysis with HRIS and other database systems.
9. Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite.
10. Demonstrated ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, rules and regulations and communicate the interpretation to others.
11. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations (including promoting inclusivity).
Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED:
1. Demonstrated experience implementing total rewards programs at higher education institutions.
2. Demonstrated experience managing ADA compliance.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
#LI-Hybrid
Environmental Conditions This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
Posting Date 01/03/2025 Closing Date Special Instructions to Applicants Please attach the following 3 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Resume.
(#3) “Other Document-References” – the names and contact information of three professional references. (Note: this document is required even though references may be listed on the application).
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/14578 Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Resume Other Document - References Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Do you have at minimum a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations (including promoting inclusivity)? Yes No * How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Public Job Posting Internal Job Posting Agency Referral Advertisement/Publication Personal Referral Website Other
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