OverviewAs the AVP, Total Rewards, you will
own both the strategy and execution of SageSure's Total Rewards roadmap-shaping compensation, benefits, equity, payroll, and HR systems to attract, retain, and motivate a geographically distributed workforce. This role is
equally tactical and strategic, requiring deep hands-on expertise alongside the ability to influence senior leaders and guide change at scale.
You will play a critical role in ensuring our programs are compliant, competitive, scalable, and aligned with the expectations of a
private equity-backed environment, while leading and developing a high-performing
remote team.
Non-Negotiables- Private Equity-Backed Company Experience
Direct experience operating within a private equity-backed organization, including administering and evolving Total Rewards programs in a PE environment with strong governance, pace, and accountability. - Equity & NSO Expertise
Hands-on experience designing, administering, and educating stakeholders on equity programs, including Non-Stock Options (NSOs) and other private-company equity vehicles, with a strong understanding of tax and compliance implications. - Operationally Strong Total Rewards Leader
Demonstrated ability to operate at both a strategic and highly tactical level, with deep ownership of day-to-day execution across compensation, benefits, equity, payroll, and HR systems. - Remote Workforce Leadership
Proven success leading and developing a remote or highly distributed team, with the ability to drive accountability, performance, and engagement across geographies. - Multi-State Workforce & Payroll Tax Mastery
Deep experience managing a workforce across 45 states, with expert-level knowledge of payroll tax nuances, compliance requirements, and risk mitigation. - HRIS Transformation Experience
Demonstrated success replacing, significantly upgrading, or optimizing legacy HRIS and People systems to support scale, reporting, compliance, and improved employee experience in a growing organization. - Audit & Compliance Experience
Strong background in auditing compensation, benefits, equity, and payroll practices, with a rigorous focus on compliance, internal controls, and regulatory adherence. - Change Management Leadership
Proven ability to lead and execute enterprise-level change, including systems implementations, program redesigns, and process improvements, while effectively influencing stakeholders at all levels. - Executive Presence & Leadership Partnership
Clear executive presence with the ability to serve as a trusted partner to senior leaders, influence decision-making, and confidently represent Total Rewards strategy at the executive and board level.
What You'd Be Doing- Develop and execute a comprehensive Total Rewards strategy aligned with business objectives and private equity expectations, including compensation, benefits, equity, and payroll programs.
- Lead the design, administration, and management of compensation and equity plans for a large, diverse employee population in a private company environment, ensuring accurate eligibility management, lifecycle administration, employee education, and compliance.
- Lead the stabilization, redesign, and scaling of Total Rewards operations, addressing legacy processes and systems that can scale with organizational growth and complexity
- Oversee payroll strategy and execution for a fully remote workforce spanning 45 states, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with state-specific wage, hour, and tax regulations.
- Oversee benefits administration across multiple legal entities and plan structures, ensuring compliance, consistency, and operational alignment across the organization.
- Serve as the organization's subject-matter expert in payroll taxes, multi-state payroll nuances, and regulatory compliance.
- Lead and support internal and external audits, with a strong focus on compliance, controls, and risk mitigation across payroll, equity, and benefits programs.
- Partner closely with Finance and FP&A on equity modeling, benefits cost modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and reconciliation related to annual compensation cycles, promotions, and incentive payouts.
- Provide clear education and guidance to executives, managers, and employees on Total Rewards programs, equity mechanics, and payroll-related matters.
- Drive change management initiatives related to Total Rewards, payroll, equity, and HR systems, ensuring smooth adoption and minimal disruption.
- Lead large-scale HR system transformations, including requirement definitions, vendor partnerships, data migration, testing, change management, and post-launch stabilization.
- Optimize and oversee People systems and data, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
- Build foundational Total Rewards reporting and analytics capabilities, establishing reliable data, metrics, and insights
- Manage vendor relationships across compensation, benefits, payroll, and equity administration, including contract negotiation and cost management.
- Stay current on evolving federal, state, and local regulations impacting Total Rewards programs (e.g., ACA, FLSA, COBRA, HIPAA, payroll tax law).
- Act as a trusted advisor with executive presence, partnering effectively with leaders at all levels of the organization.
- Assess, develop, and, where necessary, redesign the Total Rewards operating model to meet the demands of a growing, complex organization, setting clear performance expectations and accountability.
We're Looking for Someone Who Has- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (required).
- 12+ years of progressive Total Rewards experience, including compensation, benefits, payroll, equity, and HR systems.
- Hands-on experience in administering complex equity and long-term incentive programs within a private equity-backed organization, including managing multiple plan structures concurrently. Hands-on experience in administering complex equity and long-term incentive programs within a private equity-backed organization, including managing multiple plan structures concurrently.
- Demonstrated experience administering equity programs, including non-stock options (NSOs) and long-term incentive plans for private companies.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a highly operational, hands-on role while also setting strategic direction.
- Extensive experience managing multi-state payroll, including complex states such as California.
- Deep expertise in payroll taxes, compliance, and regulatory nuances across multiple jurisdictions.
- Demonstrated experience replacing or significantly upgrading legacy systems that no longer meet the needs of a maturing organization. Workday experience strongly preferred.
- Experience successfully leading and managing remote teams.
- Strong background in auditing and compliance, with a proactive, detail-oriented approach to risk management.
- Experience leading and supporting change management initiatives across systems, processes, or organizational growth phases.
- Track record of managing annual merit, bonus, LTIP, and deferred compensation payout processes for a private company.
- Experience working in a multi-site, multi-state environment.
- Experience with profits interest plans and K-1 tax treatment (preferred).
- Strong understanding of HR technology platforms and systems implementation/optimization (e.g., UltiPro, Carta, DOMO).
- Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into insights and recommendations.
- Exceptional communication skills and executive presence, with the ability to influence and partner with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
Highly Preferred- Advanced degree (Master's or higher) in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
- Professional certifications such as CCP, CEBS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or similar.
- Significant leadership experience designing and managing sophisticated Total Rewards programs within a private-equity backed organization.
- Experience designing and administering complex benefits programs within a non-public company environment.
