Total Rewards Manager

Brief Description

Relay Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to create a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture and believes each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to adjust the work identified.

Disabled people / people with disabilities and neurodivergent people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Relay Core Competencies

Focus on Strengths

Prioritize Informed Action

Communicate Clearly

Champion Disability Inclusion

Build Supportive Relationships

Job Summary

The Total Rewards Manager provides leadership and direction to the Total Rewards team, ensuring that compensation, benefits, and leave programs are effective, equitable, and aligned with organizational strategy. This role balances operational leadership with execution of director-led strategy, setting expectations, monitoring outcomes, and ensuring accountability across the team. The Manager partners closely with the Director of Employee Operations to translate strategy into execution and maintain day-to-day excellence across Total Rewards functions.

Essential Functions

• Team Oversight – 40%
• Lead the Total Rewards team (Compensation, Benefits, Leaves).
• Assign work, set priorities, and ensure timely, accurate project delivery.
• Provide coaching and feedback to drive professional growth and accountability.
• Serve as a resource and escalation point for complex or sensitive issues.
• Establish and monitor service-level expectations for team responsiveness and accuracy.
• Strategic Execution Support – 25%
• Partner with the Director of Employee Operations and HR Leadership to execute Total Rewards strategies that are meaningful, engaging, and viewed with a disability lens.
• Operationalize and implement organizational objectives into measurable Total Rewards initiatives.
• Present data-backed insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Provide feedback to inform future strategy based on frontline execution and team insights.
• Analytics and Reporting – 15%
• Direct the team’s reporting processes and validate deliverables for accuracy and impact.
• Support the team’s accountability to uphold clean, reliable data in all HRIS-related systems, in partnership with Payroll and HRIS teams, offering education for other departments as needed.
• Identify trends and elevate risks, gaps, or opportunities to the Director.
• Program Oversight – 15%
• Ensure effective administration of compensation structures, benefit plans, and leave administration.
• Coordinate with Payroll and HRIS teams to ensure accurate and timely benefits enrollment with data integrity, maintaining strong cross-functional alignment.
• Monitor compliance with ERISA, FMLA/OFLA/PLO, ACA, state pay equity laws, and related regulations.
• Provide significant input on retirement plan administration, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Ensure consistent, scalable processes across all Total Rewards programs to support organizational growth and a seamless, user-centered, accessible employee experience.
• Other Duties as Assigned – 5%
• Carry out additional responsibilities or special projects as required.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive Total Rewards experience, with at least 5 years in hands-on benefits administration.
• 2-3 years in a people management role, with demonstrated ability to hold team members accountable.
• Strong knowledge of compensation structures, benefits administration, and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, compliance tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong operational discipline and results-driven approach.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through others and drive execution across a multi-functional Total Rewards environment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a nonprofit/social enterprise and/or unionized environment.
• CEBS, CBP, CCP, or similar Total Rewards certification preferred; equivalent combination of experience and expertise considered.
• Experience supporting a staff population with disabilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of nonprofit, social enterprise, or mission-driven organizations with earned revenue models.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Federal, state, and local labor and employment laws.
• People Operations best practices across benefits, employee relations, performance management, and workforce planning.
• Retirement and group health plan regulations and administration.
• Ability to interpret Collective Bargaining Agreements as related to employee benefits
  
  

SCOPE & ACCOUNTABILITY

Perform duties independently, supporting Total Rewards functions and ensuring outcomes are successful. Exercises judgement in directing team deliverables and making cross-functional strategic recommendations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Provides direct supervision and accountability/oversight to the Total Rewards team, including performance management, coaching, and work direction. Team members may formally report to a Director, VP, or similar leader, with the Manager ensuring team accountability and performance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Office atmosphere
• Sitting for extended periods of time, with standing desk options available
• Using a variety of office equipment
• Moderate noise level