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Empower AI · 3 days ago

Director, Total Rewards

US-VA-Reston

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

7+ years exp

Empower AI is an organization focused on providing AI solutions for government agencies. They are seeking a Director of Total Rewards who will be responsible for the strategy, design, administration, and governance of compensation, benefits, and leave programs, particularly in federal contracting environments.

Information ServicesInformation TechnologySoftware

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and continuously improve the organization’s total rewards strategy, including developing and managing compensation and benefits that retain talent

Ensure alignment with business objectives, workforce needs, and federal contracting requirements

Serve as the primary subject-matter expert on SCA, and federal contracting compensation and benefits requirements

Partner with HR Business Partners and the Vice President of Human Resources to align total rewards strategy with broader people and business objectives

Personally own and execute compensation, benefits, leave, and accommodation processes as needed while the function is being stabilized and scaled

Build, document, and continuously improve total rewards policies, procedures, workflows, and controls

Balance competing priorities across strategy, execution, and stakeholder support in a fast-paced environment

Step in to support or backfill day-to-day work performed by the HR Generalist when necessary

Own all aspects of compensation program design and administration

Conduct research and analysis to ensure competitive total rewards offerings, including salary benchmarking and market surveys

Manage salary structures, market pricing, geographic differentials, and internal equity

Administer SCA wage determinations, Health & Welfare calculations, and fringe benefit compliance

Manage wage schedules and contractual pay requirements

Partner with Pricing and Proposal teams to support compliant labor pricing and cost modeling

Partner with HR Business Partners and the Vice President of Human Resources to evaluate and implement compensation and pay impacts related to offers, promotions, job changes, accommodations, and retention actions

Retain final authority for compensation strategy, approvals, and exceptions

Ensure compliance with FLSA, SCA, pay equity laws, and federal contracting obligations

Oversee and manage all bonus programs

Responsible for maintaining and updating UKG Compensation portal, maintaining job descriptions

Responsible for approving requisitions in ICIMS

The Total Rewards Manager is responsible for designing and implementing compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain employees, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with regulations

Direct responsibility for all employee benefits programs

Manage SCA Health & Welfare programs and compliance

Lead annual open enrollment planning and employee communications

Manage broker, carrier, and third-party administrator relationships

Partner with HR Business Partner and the Vice President of Human Resources on benefits strategy, design, and changes

Direct responsibility for all benefit related audits including H&W, 401K, Trust, FSA,HSA,etc

Communicate total rewards programs effectively to employees and ensure understanding of benefits and compensation structures

Own and manage the medical accommodation process from intake through resolution

Evaluate compensation, classification, benefits, leave, and pay impacts of medical accommodations in partnership with HR Business Partners and the Vice President of Human Resources

Serve as the final decision-maker for compensation and benefits outcomes related to medical accommodations

Oversee all leave programs and partner with third-party leave administrators

Assess current-state total rewards processes, roles, and pain points

Design and implement a future-state operating model defining clear roles, intake processes, escalation paths, and approvals

Establish consistent frameworks, tools, and governance standards

Serve as both architect and operator of the total rewards function, owning near-term execution while designing long-term scalability

Lead change management, training, and stakeholder alignment efforts in partnership with HR Business Partners and the Vice President of Human Resources

Manage relationships with vendors for benefits administration and negotiate contracts for benefit programs

Directly manage and develop the HR Generalist, who serves as the primary point of contact for day-to-day benefit inquiries

Serve as the escalation point for complex or high-risk total rewards matters

Oversee vendor relationships and ensure audit readiness

Partner with HRIS, Payroll, HR Business Partners, and the Vice President of Human Resources to ensure accurate system configuration and governance

Conduct audits and reviews of total rewards programs to ensure compliance with laws and regulations

Monitor regulatory and contractual changes

Prepare executive-level reporting for HR leadership

Support internal and external audits

Qualification

Total Rewards StrategySCA ComplianceCompensation ManagementBenefits AdministrationHRIS PlatformsVendor ManagementGovernment ContractingPeople ManagementAnalytical SkillsCommunication Skills