Head of Total Rewards

Head of Total Rewards

Location: Sunnyvale (Onsite)

Compensation: $185,000 – $240,000 base equity

Our client, an innovative and highly successful AI company experiencing hyper-growth, is seeking a Head of Total Rewards to build and lead a modern, scalable compensation strategy.

The Opportunity

This is a highly strategic, hands-on role where you will define and evolve the company’s compensation and rewards framework. You’ll partner closely with leadership to ensure programs are competitive, equitable, and aligned with business objectives—while also building the foundation for a future Total Rewards team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of company-wide compensation programs, including bi-annual compensation cycles
• Develop and refine compensation bands and job architecture to support organizational growth
• Author and evolve the company’s compensation philosophy, ensuring alignment with business strategy and market positioning
• Conduct ongoing market benchmarking to maintain competitive and compelling offers
• Partner with Finance, HR, and executive leadership on compensation planning and decision-making
• Evaluate and optimize tools and systems (including platforms like Shift) to support compensation processes
• Drive continuous improvement in compensation practices with a data-driven, scalable approach
• Lay the groundwork for future team development, with the potential to grow into a leadership role

Ideal Background

• 10 years of experience in Total Rewards, Compensation, or related functions
• Experience operating in both private and public company environments
• Strong expertise in compensation strategy, benchmarking, and program design
• Experience in high-growth, engineering-driven organizations (or adjacent industries such as autonomous systems, advanced hardware/software, or deep tech)
• Familiarity with modern compensation tools and systems (e.g., Shift or similar platforms)
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and highly execution-focused
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment with a hands-on approach

Culture & Environment

• High-growth, innovation-driven company (~1,500 employees) with a startup mindset
• Predominantly engineering and product-focused organization
• Talent drawn from leading tech companies and disruptive startups
• Fast-moving, highly collaborative, and mission-driven culture
• Ideal for individuals who thrive in ambitious environments and are motivated by building and scaling in real time

This is a unique opportunity to have a significant impact at a company pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in autonomous systems and advanced technology.