What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director Total Rewards position at Search Solution Group?
Director, Total Rewards
Confidential Not-for-Profit Cultural Institution | New York, NY (Hybrid)
About the Organization
A globally recognized, mission-driven cultural institution with a highly corporate operating model employs approximately 1,000 employees and operates in a fast-paced, highly visible environment. The workforce includes five active labor unions and a mix of hourly, salaried, creative, operational, and administrative employees.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the CHRO, the Director, Total Rewards will lead and modernize the organization’s compensation, benefits, retirement, leave administration, and HRIS functions. This is a strategic and hands-on role overseeing a small team within a complex, unionized environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and formalize the compensation strategy, including salary benchmarking, pay equity, job architecture, annual planning, and partnership with Finance on workforce budgeting
- Oversee comprehensive benefits and retirement programs (403(b), pension, deferred compensation)
- Manage high-volume leave administration and ensure compliance with New York labor laws
- Lead HRIS (UKG) oversight and partner closely with Payroll and Finance
- Drive process improvements and modernization across Total Rewards
- Support union pay structures and collective bargaining implications
Ideal Profile
- 10 years of progressive Total Rewards leadership experience
- Deep experience across both compensation and benefits
- Strong knowledge of New York labor law and union environments
- Experience overseeing multiple retirement plans (403(b), pension)
- Comfortable in fast-paced, evolving environments; able to prioritize effectively
- Scrappy, solutions-oriented, and intellectually curious