Director, Total Rewards

Role Overview

• Evaluate current-state compensation and benefits programs against future-state needs and recommend data-driven enhancements.
• Own and evolve our compensation and benefits strategy in alignment with business priorities.
• Conduct compensation market analyses across the organization to ensure competitive market pricing and internal equity, informing compensation and benefits decisions.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to benchmark roles and design competitive total rewards packages.
• Lead the annual rewards cycle, including merit and promotion reviews, in close partnership with FP&A on budget modeling.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and consultant to business leaders on the company's total rewards philosophy.
• Lead annual benefits renewals and budget modeling to provide Finance with the accurate data needed for informed decision-making.
• Own open enrollment strategy and execution, including communications, presentations, and employee support (office hours and enrollment sessions).
• Manage benefits vendors and broker relationships, including evaluation and ongoing performance.
• Design and launch a holistic wellness program that supports employee well-being, engagement, and retention.
• Serve as a trusted partner to leadership and stakeholders across Finance, Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, and Newsroom leadership to ensure seamless experiences.
• Facilitate presentations and training across total rewards, including annual open enrollment and rewards cycle, such as merit and promotion reviews.
• Foster a collaborative culture that emphasizes innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, coach, and develop one direct report while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Leverage data, analytics, AI, and automation to improve and optimize total rewards processes, scalability, and tools.
• Continuously assess processes and programs to identify opportunities to enhance total rewards initiatives and evolve the total rewards program.
• Lead planning and execution for multiple total rewards initiatives, ensuring clear communication and timely delivery.

Requirements

• 8+ years of compensation and benefits experience, specifically in digital media/news industry
• Comprehensive knowledge of compensation and benefits plan design and administration
• Experience with HRIS systems (e.g. Workday) and advanced proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets (e.g. pivot tables, vlookup) for compensation and benefits budget modeling
• Familiarity with compensation benchmarking surveys (e.g. Croners, Comp Analyst) and related compensation and benefits tools
• Strong analytical and detail oriented approach ensuring accuracy in compensation and benefits data and reporting.
• Understanding of monetary rewards and non-monetary recognition as methods to promote employee engagement and retention.
• Strong project management skills, with experience delivering total rewards initiatives from concept to execution.
• A collaborative, cross-functional mindset and the ability to influence leaders and navigate ambiguity.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Experience managing benefits plans and have prior experience with self-funded benefit plans and broad vendor selection
• Strategic, execution-oriented leader with high EQ and accountability, comfortable managing time-sensitive requests in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• 401(k) with employer match
• Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network
• Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high deductible health plan option
• Dental and vision coverage
• Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays
• One mental health day per quarter
• Annual learning and development stipend
• $100 monthly work-from-home stipend
• Tele-mental health services through Headspace
• OneMedical membership, including telehealth services
• Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate
• Inclusive fertility, hormonal health, and family-forming benefits through Carrot Fertility
• Access to the Axios “Family Fund”, which was created to allow employees to request financial support when facing financial hardship or emergencies
• Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers
• Virtual company-sponsored social events
• A strong and positive work environment
• A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture