What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr Director of Compensation and Benefits position at Stephen Gould?
Senior Director, Compensation & Benefits
What makes Stephen Gould Exceptional.
Founded through a passion for entrepreneurship, our success is due to the ingenuity and tenacity of our extraordinary teams, bringing people and ideas together. With Stephen Gould, everything is within reach, including an exciting career opportunity. Join our team and build on our incredible 85 years of excellence. Stephen Gould looks for people that want to design and develop exciting solutions for a variety of engaged and passionate clients across the globe. With headquarters in Madison, New Jersey, 40 locations throughout the U.S and operations in six countries outside the U.S, we have grown tremendously while maintaining staying true to our 5 Principles: Stephen Gould - 5 Principals .
Position Summary
The Senior Director, Compensation & Benefits is responsible for the strategic leadership, design, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of the Stephen Gould’s total rewards programs, including compensation, benefits, payroll oversight, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives. Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), this role ensures the organization’s total rewards offerings remain competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with the Company’s business objectives and talent strategy.
This leader will oversee all health and wellness benefits programs, manage vendor relationships and benefits administration, direct compensation and performance-related processes, and provide strategic guidance on market trends and contemporary rewards offerings. The role will also oversee payroll administration and manage a team that includes a Benefits Administrator/HR Coordinator and a Payroll Coordinator.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Total Rewards Strategy & Leadership
What makes Stephen Gould Exceptional.
Founded through a passion for entrepreneurship, our success is due to the ingenuity and tenacity of our extraordinary teams, bringing people and ideas together. With Stephen Gould, everything is within reach, including an exciting career opportunity. Join our team and build on our incredible 85 years of excellence. Stephen Gould looks for people that want to design and develop exciting solutions for a variety of engaged and passionate clients across the globe. With headquarters in Madison, New Jersey, 40 locations throughout the U.S and operations in six countries outside the U.S, we have grown tremendously while maintaining staying true to our 5 Principles: Stephen Gould - 5 Principals .
Position Summary
The Senior Director, Compensation & Benefits is responsible for the strategic leadership, design, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of the Stephen Gould’s total rewards programs, including compensation, benefits, payroll oversight, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives. Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), this role ensures the organization’s total rewards offerings remain competitive, cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with the Company’s business objectives and talent strategy.
This leader will oversee all health and wellness benefits programs, manage vendor relationships and benefits administration, direct compensation and performance-related processes, and provide strategic guidance on market trends and contemporary rewards offerings. The role will also oversee payroll administration and manage a team that includes a Benefits Administrator/HR Coordinator and a Payroll Coordinator.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Total Rewards Strategy & Leadership
- Lead the Company’s overall total rewards strategy, including compensation, benefits, wellness, retirement, and payroll oversight.
- Develop and implement innovative and competitive compensation and benefits programs that attract, retain, and motivate talent.
- Partner with executive leadership and HR business partners to align total rewards programs with organizational goals and workforce planning.
- Continuously evaluate and enhance programs to ensure market competitiveness and employee value.
- Lead all compensation-related processes and programs, including annual merit review processes, bonus and incentive programs, salary benchmarking and market pricing, compensation structure design and administration, and job evaluations.
- Partner closely with leadership and the performance management process to ensure alignment between performance outcomes and compensation decisions.
- Ensure compensation programs remain competitive through regular market benchmarking and analysis.
- Lead all employee health and wellness benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, wellness initiatives, and voluntary benefits.
- Manage day-to-day benefits administration and ensure exceptional employee support and service delivery.
- Oversee benefits vendor relationships, including broker and carrier management, contract negotiations, renewals, and service-level performance.
- Monitor and manage benefits costs while identifying opportunities for cost containment and program optimization.
- Continuously assess market trends and evaluate new, contemporary benefits offerings to ensure the Company remains competitive and innovative.
- Oversee administration and compliance for all retirement programs, including 401(k) and Deferred Profit Participation (DPP) plans.
- Partner with plan providers, legal counsel, and finance teams to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Oversee payroll administration to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.
- Partner with payroll and finance teams to improve payroll operations, controls, and reporting.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the total rewards team, including the Benefits Administrator/HR Coordinator, and a Payroll Coordinator.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and service-oriented team environment.
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local compensation, payroll, and benefits regulations.
- Maintain knowledge of evolving employment laws and market trends impacting total rewards programs.
- Partner with legal, finance, and external advisors on audits, reporting, and regulatory requirements.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- 10 years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, payroll, or total rewards leadership roles.
- Strong expertise in compensation strategy, benefits administration, retirement plans, and payroll oversight.
- Demonstrated experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating benefit contracts.
- Deep knowledge of compensation benchmarking and market analysis methodologies.
- Experience leading annual merit and bonus cycles.
- Strong understanding of applicable employment, benefits, and payroll laws and regulations.
- Proven leadership and team management experience.
- Excellent analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency with HRIS, payroll, and compensation systems.
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen
- Ability to influence and partner with senior leadership
- High attention to detail and operational excellence
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion
- Employee-centric mindset with a focus on service and continuous improvement