Widener University is currently seeking a Director of Total Rewards in the Office of Human Resources. The Director role will report to the Associate Vice President of Human Resources. This hands-on role leads both the compensation and benefits strategies and programs; included but not limited to monetary compensation, traditional and voluntary benefits, and wellness programs, provides strategic oversight and expertise, and develops long-term goals and strategic plans. The incumbent will be part of HR's leadership team and will participate in project management and implementation of various programs and business initiatives that support university initiatives. In this leadership role, the incumbent will impact Widener’s positioning as an employer of choice by ensuring that benefits and compensation are competitive to attract, retain, and reward employees.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to) :
Essential duties:
1. Provide direction and leadership to design, develop, and implement benefits and compensation programs that align with university's strategy and long-range HR strategic business plans
2. Monitor the effectiveness of existing benefit and compensation policies, guidelines and procedures, recommending plan revisions as well as development of new plans that are cost-effective and consistent with trends and university objectives
3. Oversee the administration and management of Widener’s benefit programs, including but not limited to, retirement [403(b)], life insurance, health insurance, dental plans, flexible spending program, tuition remission and exchange, absence management, worker's compensation and other related employee benefit programs
4. Develop a total compensation philosophy for the university, including appropriate pay positioning relative to the market and defining the appropriate comparison markets for talent
5. Provide compensation expertise to identify issues, and implement solutions to engage and reward talent for delivering desired business results
6. Direct compensation survey participation and provide direction on analysis of compensation survey responses, market competitiveness, and guidance on compensation strategies. Determine financial implications and cost/benefit analysis
7. Direct development, planning, and implementation of annual staff salary program, including market analysis and costing to ensure a balance of internal equity and market competitiveness in line with university's compensation philosophy
8. Keep abreast of compensation and benefits trends, external benchmark best practices, and regulatory requirements and labor laws, and provide strategy and direction for university-wide programs
9. Ensure program compliance with federal and state regulations concerning employment and benefits administration
10. Ensure that the university's human resource information system (Colleague) is utilized efficiently and effectively to administer and monitor the benefits offered
11. Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed
12. Hybrid work consisting of 3 days on site is possible after 90 days on-site.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
Required:
13. Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Finance, Management, or a related field with at least seven years of program management experience in combined benefits and compensation, or related role. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
14. Experience as a Total Rewards or Benefits Supervisor in developing and implementing broad-based compensation programs including base and pay for performance, benchmarking/market data, and job evaluation
15. Experience developing, implementing and managing a wide range of benefit plans and programs including retirement programs, life insurance, health insurance, and dental plans
16. Good verbal and written communications skills. Ability to translate complex concepts to facilitate decision-making
17. Experience in data analysis, reporting, and presentation of compensation data
18. Demonstrated skill in use of Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel); HR Information Systems
19. Experience in leading and developing a team to deliver excellent customer service
20. Ability to travel to Delaware Law School and Commonwealth Law School once a quarter
Preferred:
21. Master's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Finance, Management
22. Experience in developing and leading compensation and benefits programs within a higher education environment
23. Experience with Ellucian Colleague
24. CEBS, CCP, PHR or SHRM-CP certification
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
Physical Demands
25. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger for data entry.
Work Environment
26. Busy high stress office environment requiring data entry and attention to detail for long periods of time. Hybrid work is possible after completion of on-boarding period.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at
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