Total Rewards Manager

Position Summary

Located in our Corporate Office in Fairfield, CT, the Total Rewards Manager is responsible for the design, administration, and continuous improvement of the Company's compensation, benefits, wellness, recognition, and employee engagement programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, this role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all aspects of Total Rewards while ensuring programs support the Company's business objectives, family-owned culture, and employee value proposition.

As a key member of the HR team, the Total Rewards Manager partners closely with executive leadership, including the VP of Human Resources, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Executive Officer, to develop competitive and cost-effective compensation and benefits strategies. The role also oversees employee wellness initiatives, recognition programs, and company-wide events that reinforce employee engagement and organizational culture.

The Total Rewards Manager directly supervises one Senior Total Rewards Analyst and manages relationships with external vendors, including the Company's benefits broker and benefit plan partners.

Key Responsibilities

Compensation Strategy & Administration

• Develop, implement, and maintain compensation programs that support business goals and attract, retain, and motivate employees.
• Lead annual compensation planning processes, including merit increases, market adjustments, incentive programs, and salary structure reviews.
• Conduct market pricing and compensation benchmarking to ensure competitive and equitable pay practices.
• Partner with business leaders and HR colleagues on job evaluations, organizational design, pay recommendations, and career framework development.
• Partner with Payroll on leave administration to ensure accurate and timely payments for employees
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local compensation-related regulations.
• Analyze compensation data and trends to provide recommendations to senior leadership.

Benefits Strategy & Administration

• Manage the Company's self-insured health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, LTD and voluntary benefits.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager with the Company's benefits broker, third-party administrators, stop-loss carriers, consultants, and other benefit vendors.
• Lead annual benefits strategy development, renewal processes, plan design evaluations, and open enrollment activities including communication and education.
• Monitor healthcare utilization, claims trends, and plan performance to identify opportunities for cost containment and program enhancement.
• Oversees COBRA administration.
• Administers retiree benefits including communication and collection of Medicare Supplemental Insurance premium.
• Sources and maintains relationship with EAP provider.
• Administers company's leave programs including FMLA, CT Paid FMLA, LTD, WC, Bigelow PTO and short-term disability.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and other applicable regulations.
• Partner with finance and executive leadership to develop benefits budgets and forecasts.

Wellness & Employee Well-Being

• Design, implement, and evaluate employee wellness and well-being programs that support employee health, engagement, and productivity.
• Collaborate with vendors and internal stakeholders to increase participation and awareness of wellness offerings.
• Monitor wellness program effectiveness and recommend enhancements based on employee feedback and program outcomes.

Employee Recognition & Company Programs

• Lead administration of employee recognition programs, including the Company's Service Anniversary Program and other recognition initiatives.
• Coordinate and oversee major company-sponsored events, including:
• Tea Pot Dinner
• Annual Holiday Party
• Summer Picnic
• Employee appreciation and recognition events
• Partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure programs reinforce company culture and values.

Analytics & Reporting

• Develop and maintain Total Rewards dashboards, metrics, and reporting.
• Analyze compensation, benefits, wellness, and engagement data to support decision-making.
• Prepare presentations and recommendations for executive leadership.
• Utilize data and market intelligence to identify trends and improvement opportunities.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and development for the Senior HR & Total Rewards Analyst.
• Establish priorities and ensure timely execution of departmental objectives.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, and service-oriented approach within the Total Rewards function.

Strategic Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP of Human Resources, CFO, CEO, and business leaders on Total Rewards matters.
• Collaborate with Finance, Payroll, HR, and operational leaders across all locations to ensure alignment of compensation and benefits strategies.
• Participate in HR and business initiatives that support organizational growth and workforce planning.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field required.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, or Total Rewards.
• Experience managing compensation and benefits programs in a multi-state organization.
• Experience with UKG or similar HRIS platform.
• Previous people leadership experience preferred.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership teams.
• Three years experience administering state and federal leave

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of compensation design, salary administration, and market pricing methodologies.
• Deep understanding of employee benefits, healthcare funding, and self-insured plan administration.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state employment and benefits regulations.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior leaders.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, Excel, and data analytics tools.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a lean, fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

This position supports approximately 500 employees across multiple locations in Connecticut, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Idaho. Occasional travel to company locations and employee events may be required (10-15%).

Success Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic and analytical Total Rewards leader who enjoys building programs that enhance employee experience while maintaining financial discipline. They are equally comfortable discussing healthcare trends with brokers, presenting compensation recommendations to executives, coaching team members, and coordinating employee events that strengthen the Company's family-oriented culture.