Director, Total Rewards

Meridia Recruitment Solutions, a KBRS Company; Halifax; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentives (short/long term)

Comprehensive benefits

Defined contribution pension

Wellness support

Professional development

Job summary

C Crombie, supported by Meridia Recruitment Solutions, seeks a Director, Total Rewards to lead design, governance, and optimization of compensation, benefits, payroll, and executive reward programs. You will partner with senior leadership to align rewards with business objectives and employee value proposition.

You will shape job architecture, market benchmarking, and data analytics to drive competitive, cost-effective programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, finance or related field is required or equivalent experience.
• 8–10+ years in compensation, benefits, payroll, and total rewards with leadership experience.
• Experience designing total rewards programs in complex organizations and with executive compensation governance.
• Strong analytical, financial, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; CCP/CEBS/CPHR are strong assets.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and evaluation of compensation and reward programs across Crombie.
• Develop innovative, competitive total rewards strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Oversee job architecture, market benchmarking, and pay equity initiatives.
• Design and administer executive compensation programs and governance materials.
• Provide analytics to support workforce planning, budgeting, and decision-making.
• Manage payroll and benefits relationships and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Partner with senior leadership and Boards to inform strategy and governance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Analytics & reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Finance

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Halifax or New Glasgow, NS; Mississauga, ON

AM - CRR - 9901

Meridia Recruitment Solutions is proud to have partnered with Crombie in the recruitment of their new Director, Total Rewards.

Crombie is one of Canada’s leading real estate investment trusts, owning and operating a diversified portfolio of high-quality properties across the country. Headquartered in Nova Scotia, the organization is driven by integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to creating spaces that strengthen communities and generate long-term value. With a national presence, a strong culture, and a focus on sustainable growth, Crombie puts their people at the heart of the business. As one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers, Crombie continues to invest in its people, communities, and future.

Role Description

As Director, Total Rewards, you will provide leadership in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of compensation and reward programs and policies across the organization. Reporting to the Senior Director, People & Culture, you will partner closely with senior leadership to develop innovative, competitive, and cost-effective total rewards strategies that support Crombie's business objectives, employee value proposition, and long-term organizational success. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution and oversight of programs supporting both employees, executives, and our Board of Trustees.

By joining Crombie, you will play a critical role in shaping and evolving the organization’s total rewards philosophy, compensation structures, employee and executive reward programs, and payroll and benefits functions. You will lead key initiatives related to job architecture, market benchmarking, executive compensation governance, data analytics, and program optimization while collaborating with leaders across the business. Crombie offers a competitive compensation package including short-term and long-term incentive opportunities, comprehensive benefits, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan, wellness support, and professional development opportunities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing a comprehensive total rewards strategy aligned with Crombie's business objectives and talent priorities;
• Leading the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of compensation, benefits, payroll, retirement, incentive, and recognition programs;
• Managing compensation philosophy, salary structures, pay equity initiatives, annual compensation reviews, and job architecture frameworks;
• Designing, administering, and evaluating executive compensation programs and policies including short-term and long-term incentive plans;
• Conducting market intelligence, benchmarking, and compensation analysis to ensure external competitiveness and internal equity;
• Preparing recommendations, disclosures, reports, and governance materials for executive leadership, Board committees, and key stakeholders;
• Overseeing payroll and benefits (delivered by third-party), vendor relationships, and related systems while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations;
• Leveraging analytics, reporting, and financial insights to support workforce planning, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making;
• Providing leadership, coaching, and subject matter expertise while building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders across the organization.

Your Qualifications

As the ideal candidate, you are a strategic and results-oriented total rewards leader with deep expertise across compensation, benefits, payroll, executive rewards, and analytics. You bring strong financial and business acumen and the ability to balance organizational objectives with employee needs while building credibility with executives, boards, and business leaders. Comfortable operating in a hands-on environment, you are a collaborative and influential professional who can translate complex information into meaningful insights and recommendations that drive action.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• 8-10+ years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, payroll, and total rewards, including leadership experience;
• Demonstrated expertise designing and implementing comprehensive total rewards programs in complex organizations;
• Experience managing executive compensation programs and supporting Boards, Compensation Committees, or executive leadership teams;
• Strong knowledge of compensation strategy, job evaluation, job architecture, market benchmarking, and pay equity practices;
• Advanced analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret data and develop actionable recommendations;
• Proven project management and change leadership capabilities;
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels;
• CCP, CEBS, CPHR, or another relevant professional designation would be considered a strong asset. Advanced Microsoft skills leveraging Excel and PowerPoint and other related technologies.