Director of People Operations & Total Rewards

Location: Gorham, Maine

Salary: 120k - 140k D.O.E

Job Summary: 

The Director, People Operations & Total Rewards, serves as the strategic and operational leader for the organization's compensation, benefits, leave administration, HRIS, employee services, and workforce analytics functions. This position acts as the organization's primary compensation expert and is responsible for designing, implementing, and administering compensation programs that attract, retain, and reward talent while ensuring market competitiveness, internal equity, fiscal responsibility, and regulatory compliance.

The Director leads the development and execution of people operations strategies that support organizational objectives, improve the employee experience, and optimize service delivery. Through the oversight of compensation, benefits, leave administration, HR technology, employee services, and workforce data, this position ensures operational excellence and data-driven decision-making across the employee lifecycle.

Essential Functions: 

• Lead the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of compensation, benefits, leave administration, HRIS, employee services, and workforce data functions.
• Establish service standards, performance metrics, and operational objectives for People Operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance employee experience, efficiency, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Develop scalable people processes, workflows, and infrastructure to support organizational growth and change.
• Develop, administer, and continuously evaluate the organization's compensation philosophy, strategy, policies, and programs.
• Design and maintain salary structures, pay grades, market pricing methodologies, and compensation frameworks.
• Lead annual compensation planning processes including merit increases, promotional increases, market adjustments, and incentive program
• Design creative compensation and incentive programs that align with organizational goals and workforce needs.
• Provide guidance and consultation to leaders regarding pay decisions, compensation practices, job evaluations, and compensation-related policy interpretation.
• Lead the development, maintenance, and governance of job descriptions across the organization.
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for all employee benefits, retirement plans, wellness initiatives, leave programs, and employee support services.
• Partner with brokers, consultants, carriers, and vendors to ensure competitive and cost-effective benefits programs.
• Monitor changing regulations and ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, FMLA, PFML, ADA, and other applicable federal and state requirements.
• Oversee administration and governance of all leave and accommodation programs
• Provide strategic oversight for HRIS governance, system administration, data integrity, security, and reporting.
• Identify and implement opportunities for automation, integration, and process optimization through technology solutions.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure HR systems effectively support business needs and enhance employee experience
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop direct reports while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• At least five years of experience leading professional HR teams, including direct management of managers.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide compensation planning and salary administration programs.
• Advanced proficiency with HRIS systems, reporting tools, Excel, and workforce analytics.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Accounting, or related field.
• SHRM or equivalent HR Certification
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

We believe in supporting our employees just as much as they support our mission. In addition to working in a fulfilling and supportive environment, our employees enjoy:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental benefits
• Generous PTO Plan 
• Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• 50% Employee discount at Goodwill stores in ME, NH & VT
• Valuable job training with growth potential and more!