Director of Total Rewards

Division: Human Resources

Department: Human Resources

Number of hours per
week: 37.5

Months per year: Fiscal (12 months)

Position Number: 006670

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Pay Basis: Monthly

Job Description

The Director of Total Rewards provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the
university’s compensation and benefits programs and functions. This role develops and executes a comprehensive total rewards strategy that
supports workforce planning, financial sustainability, and the university’s ability to attract and retain top talent. The Director serves as
an advisor to executive leadership and ensures programs are competitive, equitable, transparent, and
compliant.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), the Director partners closely with HR Business
Partners, Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Benefits, Payroll and other stakeholders to deliver a high-quality, responsive, and efficient HR
service delivery model.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning: Develop and
execute comprehensive total rewards strategies (compensation, benefits, equity).

Compensation Management: Oversee salary
structures, merit planning, and job architecture.

.

Benefits Oversight: Manage health, welfare, and
retirement programs.

Market Analysis & Compliance: Monitor market trends to ensure pay competitiveness and ensure
compliance with employment laws.

Vendor Management: Cultivate and manage relationships with vendors and consultants to
maximize ROI on total rewards.

Leadership & Collaboration: Collaborate with senior leadership to align rewards with
business objectives.

Project Management: (Re)design and implement policies, pay structures, procedures for job
evaluations and reclassifications, etc.

The ideal candidate will
possess:

Advanced knowledge of compensation strategy, job evaluation methodologies, salary structures, market pricing,
and pay equity principles.

Knowledge of federal and state laws governing compensation and benefits, including FLSA,
Equal Pay Act, Title VII, ADA, and related regulations.

Understanding of integrated total rewards programs, including
compensation, benefits, incentives, and recognition. Experience interpreting compensation survey data and labor market trends (e.g.,
CUPA-HR, Mercer, Salary.com).

Strong financial acumen to assess program costs, budget impact, and long-term
sustainability.

Advanced analytical skills with the ability to evaluate complex datasets and develop actionable
insights.

Demonstrated leadership skills, including team management, coaching, and development of HR
professionals.

Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information to
executive audiences.

Ability to guide organizational change related to pay structures, workforce planning, or program
redesign.

Ability to address sensitive pay issues, resolve disputes, and recommend solutions that balance equity,
compliance, and fiscal constraints.

Strong relationship-building skills and ability to collaborate across diverse
stakeholder groups.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business
  Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, including leadership experience in
  compensation, benefits, or total rewards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
  in HR, Business, or related field.
• Professional certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR).
• Strong
  analytical skills for market benchmarking and pay analysis.
• Extensive knowledge of compensation and benefit
  regulations.
• Project management, leadership, and communication skills.

Special Instructions
to Applicants

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee
State University.

Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced
degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire.

An unofficial transcript may be attached in the “Transcript”
section.

You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to
the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for
these letters using contact information you provided.

Close Date: 06/15/2026

Benefits

Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes
annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and
more.

Quick Link: https://jobs.tnstate.edu/postings/10735

Minimum References Required: 2

Tagged as: Employment