Working/Functional Title
Director of Total Rewards
Position Summary
Michigan State University (MSU) is seeking a dynamic and forward‑thinking Director of Total Rewards to lead the strategic direction, design, and administration of the university’s comprehensive benefits and compensation programs. This senior leader ensures MSU’s offerings are competitive, equitable, sustainable, and aligned with the institution’s mission and values.
The Director oversees a broad portfolio, including health and wellness benefits, retirement programs, leave administration, worker’s compensation, and compensation strategy – while leading modernization efforts in job architecture and pay structures. In partnership with campus governance groups, HR leaders, and external vendors, the Director advances programs that promote well-being, transparency, and engagement for employees, students, and retirees.
Salary
The salary range for this position is fixed at $185,000 – $210,000. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience within this range.
Remote work capability
This position is based in East Lansing, Michigan, on the campus of Michigan State University. Human Resources embraces flexible work options, and this position allows for a hybrid work schedule (if desired), with regular onsite work required 3 days per week. All work schedules are assessed for impact to the work outcomes of the individual, team, and department – and must be pre-approved by the supervisor.
What You’ll Do
Champion Total Rewards Strategy
- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy focused on well‑being, affordability, access, and inclusion.
- Lead long‑range planning for health, retirement, leave, and voluntary benefit programs.
- Use data and market insights to shape innovative, employee‑centered program enhancements.
Lead Benefits Operations
- Oversee daily administration of all benefits programs and the self‑insured worker’s compensation plan.
- Direct vendor management, contract negotiations, and performance monitoring.
- Ensure regulatory compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and clear communication for all benefit programs.
Modernize Classification & Compensation
- Guide modernization of job architecture, benchmarking, salary structures, and pay equity practices.
- Develop compensation policies, tools, and training that support consistency and transparency.
- Partner with campus leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, and evidence‑based pay decisions.
Lead & Develop People
- Provide leadership to a team of approximately 30 Total Rewards professionals.
- Advance talent development, succession planning, and performance management.
- Foster a high‑performing, inclusive, and resilient team culture.
Serve as a Strategic HR Leader
- Contribute to HR's overall strategic planning and organizational culture.
- Build strong partnerships across MSU to ensure integrated, responsive HR services.
- Represent HR on committees and strategic initiatives while staying current on industry trends.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Bachelors -Human Resources Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of eight years of progressive experience in benefits administration, including overseeing complex benefits programs in health, prescription drug, retirement, leave, worker’s compensation, and voluntary benefit offerings.
- At least five years of experience in a leadership role including direct management of others.
- Experience managing classification and compensation programs, including job evaluation, market benchmarking, salary structure development, and pay equity analysis.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations, including ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and other compliance requirements.
- Experience managing relationships with vendors, consultants, and third‑party administrators.
Desired Qualifications
- Executive‑level experience designing and implementing self‑insured health plans and evaluating plan performance.
- Prior experience in higher education, public sector, or other large, complex organizations with shared governance structures.
- Demonstrated success supporting or participating in collective bargaining, including compensation and benefit-related components of labor negotiations.
- Experience interpreting, implementing, and administering benefits and classification/compensation provisions of collective bargaining agreements, including supporting contract changes and advising campus units.
- Proven leadership experience in modernizing job architecture and compensation frameworks, incorporating competency models, career leveling structures, market analyses, and pay equity strategies to support transparency and organizational consistency.
- Proven ability to build and sustain cross‑organizational partnerships and operate effectively within decentralized institutional environments.
- Proven experience with budgeting, financial forecasting, and data‑informed decision‑making.
Required Application Materials
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Website
https://hr.msu.edu/
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
