"Executive Director, Total Rewards"

Position Purpose

The Executive Director of Total Rewards is a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting the governance of a comprehensive total rewards strategy that attracts, motivates, and retains top talent. This role oversees compensation, benefits, and well-being programs, aligning them with objectives, financial goals, and Dartmouth's culture. The Executive Director partners closely with campus leaders to ensure market competitiveness, financial stability, and compliance.

This role serves as a key collaborator and people leader, fostering excellence, transparency, and innovation across Human Resources.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Twelve plus (12+) years leading compensation and benefits teams, ideally, within large, decentralized institutions or academic/healthcare environments.
• Excellence in stakeholder management and executive presence.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and communication skills, with the ability to manage large teams through times of change and complexity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong quantitative skills and financial acumen; mastery of rewards analytics and modeling.
• Relevant certifications preferred: CEBS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR.

Key Responsibilities

• Description: Define, implement, and evolve a multi-year total rewards strategy and roadmap encompassing health and well-being benefits, retirement benefits, compensation, rewards, and leave programs aligned to institutional goals and responsive to changing market conditions, budgetary realities, and Dartmouth's competitive position. Percentage Of Time: 30
• Description: Manage and evaluate external consultants and vendors-working collaboratively with leadership to set expectations, negotiate competitive rates, and monitor performance-while retaining accountability for meeting deadlines, managing expenses, and ensuring quality outcomes. Percentage Of Time: 20
• Description: Advise HR and Dartmouth leadership and the College Benefits Council (CBC) and Retirement Plan Governance Committee (RPGC) on strategic Total Rewards initiatives and programs. Partner with senior leadership on plan designs, compensation strategy, compliance initiatives, and employee communications. Percentage Of Time: 20
• Description: Lead a high-performing, cross-functional team fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Provide direct mentoring and coaching, supporting professional development and cross-functional collaboration. Drive alignment between team goals and broader institutional priorities. Percentage Of Time: 20
• Description: Ensures compliance with all state and federal regulations governing benefit and retirement plans. Percentage Of Time: 10
• Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Schedule: This is an on-site leadership role requiring presence in the office 3-4 days per week or more, as business needs dictate.

Location of Position: Hanover, NH 03755

Remote Work Eligibility? Onsite only

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries: Sarah Palmer (spalmer@wittkieffer.com)

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title: Sara Lester

Quick Link: https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/84199