Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
About the Position: The Associate Director of Total Rewards is responsible for the strategic management, administration, and continuous evaluation of the University's compensation, classification, benefits, retirement, wellness, and related Total Rewards programs. The role focuses on aligning employee rewards with the University's strategic objectives to attract, retain, and engage a high-performing workforce while ensuring market competitiveness, operational effectiveness, and fiscal responsibility.
The Associate Director contributes to the development and execution of the University's Total Rewards strategy by evaluating market trends, industry best practices, and budget considerations. This position leads the design and administration of competitive compensation programs and provides guidance on Total Rewards initiatives that support the University's talent and workforce objectives. .
Essential Functions: - Benefits: Oversee the design, administration, and ongoing management of health, dental, vision, retirement plans, and other employee benefits. Manage relationships with benefit vendors, insurance carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators. Oversee service delivery, performance standards, billing and reconciliation processes, and contract renewals or modifications. Identify opportunities for improved service, cost savings, and operational efficiencies. Oversee administration of leave programs (including FMLA and medical leave), retirement processes, retiree benefits, and benefits-related aspects of employee separations. Ensure a smooth and compliant experience for employees navigating these transitions.
- Compensation: Administer, manage and implement the University's compensation philosophy, salary structures, classification system, and compensation programs. Conduct job evaluations, market pricing analyses, and compensation studies to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness. Manage annual compensation programs, including merit increases, promotional increases, and other salary actions. Participate in and analyze external salary surveys and other market data sources. Provide guidance and recommendations regarding hiring salaries, promotions, reclassifications, organizational changes, and compensation practices.
- Communication & Employee Support/Education - Execute Total Rewards communication strategies through various channels that are designed to announce changes, educate, and enhance employee satisfaction. Oversee Annual Open Enrollment process with a focus on educating employees about their benefit options, ensuring easy-to-understand communication, and providing resources to help them make informed decisions. Lead the planning and execution of the University's annual Benefits Fair, coordinating with internal partners and external vendors to deliver a high-impact, campus-wide event that promotes employee engagement and education. Collaborate with benefits administration staff to evaluate and enhance health, welfare, retirement, and wellbeing programs.
- Compliance & Regulatory Oversight - Ensure compliance with all relevant labor laws and regulations related to compensation and benefits (e.g., ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA. Maintain and update plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and related materials. Partner with internal and external stakeholders to monitor regulatory changes and implement required updates. Prepare, collect, and organize data for auditors assessment.
- Data Management, Reporting & Analytics - Analyze employee data to identify trends and make informed recommendations regarding compensation and benefits programs. Oversee data accuracy and integrity for HRIS and vendor systems. Produce regular reports on enrollment, utilization, cost trends, and leave activity.
- Strategic Planning & Program Design Support - Partner with CHRO and Sr. VP of Business and Finance to evaluate and enhance Total Rewards strategy. Assess market trends, industry practices, and emerging compensation and benefits strategies to identify opportunities for program enhancement, including plan design, benchmarking against peer institutions, compensation studies, and cost-benefit analysis. Lead and manage Total Rewards projects and initiatives, ensuring effective planning, implementation
- Management - Manage and develop benefits and compensation staff, ensuring high performance, accountability, and professional growth. Assign and prioritize work, establish quality standards, and provide training and guidance. Ensure service expectations are met, and support a collaborative and service-oriented team environment.
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree is required. Master's preferred.
A minimum of five (5) years of work experience in compensation, benefits, total rewards, or human resources is required. E xperience managing and administering comprehensive benefit and compensation programs is also required, as is experience managing/leading a professional staff.
Experience conducting compensation analyses, market pricing, job evaluation, and salary administration is required. Experience working with compensation surveys and market benchmarking methodologies is also required.
Experience with self-funded health plans is strongly preferred. Experience in higher education desired. Professional certification, such as Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or SPHR is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. The ability to communicate complex information to various stakeholders is essential.
Candidate must have a strong working knowledge and understanding of relevant regulations and laws applicable to benefits and compensation administration ( FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA, ADA, ACA, FLSA). Must also have knowledge of compensation principles, job evaluation methodologies, and market pricing practices. Knowledge of employee benefits and retirement plan administration is essential.
Candidate must have the ability to analyze data, conduct research, and make informed and actionable recommendations. Must also have the ability to handle sensitive employee situations with empathy and a high level of integrity when handling confidential PHI (Protected Health Information) and sensitive employee data.
A compassionate approach to leave administration (FMLA) and retirement transitions, making difficult processes feel manageable for our faculty and staff is essential.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills with a strong focus on attention to detail.
Candidate must have the ability to negotiate with brokers and carriers to ensure SMU receives optimal pricing and service-level agreements (SLAs). Must also have strong vendor management skills and the ability to hold vendors accountable while maintaining a collaborative relationship. Knowledge of 403(b) plan administration and the ability to interface with investment committees is preferred.
Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of MS Office, advanced skills in Excel is preferred. A working knowledge of an HRIS module is also required; PeopleSoft preferred. Proven ability to lead large-scale projects like open enrollment and a knack for data analytics to evaluate cost trends and program effectiveness are preferred.
Candidate must be able to work evenings and/or weekends occasionally during peak seasons.
Physical and Environmental Demands: - Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply: The position is open until filled.
Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by October 12, 2026
Benefits: SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities , including tuition benefits .
