Salary: $81,192.00 - $146,166.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 191922
Agency: Department of Administration
Division: Division of State Human Resources
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: AG25
Position Number::
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN12
Hiring Range - Min.: $92,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $120,000.00
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: The Department of Administration will not sponsor employment visas for this position. All applicants must apply online.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
Associate Director of Total Rewards and Strategic Projects

The Department of Administration (Admin) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and results-driven Associate Director of Total Rewards and Strategic Operations to join the Admin Human Resources leadership team. This key leadership role provides strategic direction and operational oversight for Payroll and Benefits (Total Rewards) while also leading high-impact HR strategic and operational initiatives and special projects across Admin and Shared Services agencies. With Admin currently providing comprehensive HR support to 18 Shared Services agencies, this is a highly visible and impactful role with the opportunity to influence HR operations across a complex, multi-agency environment. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Human Resources. The Associate Director will play an integral role in advancing HR priorities by translating strategy into action, driving operational excellence, and ensuring major initiatives are effectively planned, coordinated, and executed. This position provides leadership and oversight to ensure payroll and benefits programs are accurate, efficient, compliant, and aligned with best practices, while also partnering across the HR functions to strengthen processes, improve service delivery, and support organizational goals.

Success in this role requires a strong ability to build partnerships with agency leadership, employees, and HR colleagues; navigate complex initiatives; and keep strategic and operational priorities moving forward. The Associate Director will also oversee organization-wide HR communications, helping ensure employees receive clear, timely, and effective information.

This position is onsite in Columbia, South Carolina.

Responsibilities of the Associate Director of Total Rewards and Strategic Projects:

• Provide strategic leadership and operational direction for all payroll and benefits activities for Admin and Shared Services.
• Develop and execute payroll, benefit, and wellness strategies that align with the applicable organization's goals and mission.
• Align internal processes and procedures between Admin and Shared Services for efficiency and consistency when applicable.
• Direct, track, and implement strategic and operational human resources projects for Admin and Shared Services agencies.
• Partner with agency and HR leaders to design and implement strategic and operational initiatives that support and align with agency priorities.
• Manage and disseminate overall mass HR communications to Admin and Shared Services employees or liaisons.
• Direct and manage team and program to ensure compliance with employment laws and implements best practices to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of all benefit and payroll actions.
• Direct, implement and perform quality assurance measures for all payroll and benefit activity.
• Direct and manage the partnerships with Admin and Shared Services key leadership and hiring managers to understand strategic, operational, payroll, and benefits needs. Partner with the Training and Development team to create and deliver quality training to managers and employees.
• Establish and monitor metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of internal processes to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of all payroll and benefits actions.
• Lead and support staff through coaching, training, and performance development. Streamline workflows while implementing management policies and organizational initiatives. Foster a positive, team focused environment.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A bachelor's degree and five (5) years of human resources or other relevant experience. At least two (2) years of this relevant experience must be in a management role.

Additional Requirements

• Must possess strong analytical and oral/written communication skills.
• Ability to plan and organize workload to ensure time frames and deadlines are met for strategic and operational projects.
• Proficient computer skills, specifically in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated functional understanding of SCEIS/SAP modules or other HR systems.
• Should possess in depth understanding of federal regulations related to human resources and/or employment.
• Have the ability to develop, interpret and apply complex policies and procedures.
• Must have proficient knowledge and understanding of all human resources functions.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may bring a copy of college transcript to the interview. A copy of the transcript may also be uploaded as an attachment to the application, if required by the hiring department or if desired by the applicant. Please note that some areas of the Department may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Additional Comments
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The South Carolina Department of Administration offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship from the Department of Administration for employment visa status?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least a bachelor's degree and five (5) years of human resources or other relevant experience, which at least two (2) years of relevant experience is in a management role?

• Yes
• No

04

Please describe your experience in providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of payroll and benefits (total rewards) and strategic project activities.
Required Question