Head of Rewards

DFI Retail Group; Selangor; On-site; MYR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

The Rewards Head at DFI Retail Group Malaysia & Brunei reports to the Group Reward Director in Hong Kong and sits within the Malaysia HR team. You will design, implement, and manage compensation and benefits programs to attract and retain talent across retail and blue-collar roles.

This role requires deep knowledge of compensation trends, regulatory compliance, and best practices in total rewards. You will lead compensation strategy development, benefits administration, and annual renewal

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills to interpret compensation data and HR metrics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engagement with employees, management, and external vendors.
• Deep knowledge of Malaysia compensation & benefits practices, including job evaluation methodologies and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to handle confidential compensation information with professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive compensation strategy aligned with company goals.
• Oversee design, communication, and administration of employee benefits programs.
• Lead annual medical renewal: negotiate costs and options with insurers and brokers.
• Conduct job evaluations and market analyses to maintain competitive salary structures.
• Lead the annual compensation review process with stakeholders to update salary adjustments and incentives.
• Stay updated on local labor laws and ensure policy compliance.
• Develop and implement performance-based incentive programs.
• Communicate compensation and benefits programs clearly to employees.
• Collaborate with benefits vendors and consultants to negotiate contracts and evaluate service quality.
• Analyze compensation data and HR metrics to derive trends and cost insights.
• Contribute to HR policy development related to compensation, benefits, and total rewards.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Job description

The Rewards Head is an integral part of the DFI Malaysia & Brunei team, reporting directly to the Group Reward Director based in Hong Kong, with matrix reporting to the Head of HR in Malaysia

As the Reward Lead, you will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and managing our company's compensation and benefits programs. Your expertise will help attract, retain, and motivate top talent, ensuring that our employees feel valued and rewarded for their contributions. This role requires a deep understanding of industry trends, regulatory compliance, and best practices in compensation and benefits administration. You will need to have experience developing compensation strategy for retail staff or blue-collar employees.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Compensation Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive compensation strategy that aligns with the company's goals and promotes fair and competitive pay practices.
• Benefits Administration: Oversee the design, communication, and administration of employee benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, and other welfare initiatives, with a focus on meeting the unique needs of retail and blue-collar employees.
• Medical Renewal: Lead the annual medical renewal process, working closely with insurance providers and brokers to evaluate plan options, negotiate costs, and make informed decisions that balance employee needs with financial considerations.
• Job Evaluation and Salary Structure: Conduct job evaluations and market analysis to establish and maintain a competitive salary structure that rewards performance and supports internal equity.
• Compensation Review Cycles: Lead the annual compensation review process, collaborating with stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate updates to salary adjustments and incentive programs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Stay up-to-date with local, state, and federal labor laws and regulations related to compensation and benefits, ensuring the company's policies and practices are in compliance.
• Performance Incentives: Develop and implement performance-based incentive programs to drive employee engagement and achieve business objectives.
• Employee Communication: Effectively communicate compensation and benefits programs to employees, ensuring clarity and understanding of available options and changes.
• Vendor Management: Collaborate with benefits vendors and consultants to negotiate contracts, evaluate service quality, and make data-driven recommendations for improvements.
• Data Analysis: Analyze compensation data and HR metrics to provide insights on trends, cost-effectiveness, and areas for improvement.
• Policy Development: Contribute to the development and enhancement of HR policies and procedures related to compensation, benefits, and total rewards.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Compensation and Benefits Specialist or a related role with at least 8 years of experience; specifically including experience in managing compensation and benefits for retail staff and/or blue-collar workers.
• In-depth knowledge of compensation and benefits practices in Malaysia, including job evaluation methodologies, salary structures, and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with various benefit plans, such as health, retirement, wellness, and leave programs.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and utilize compensation data to inform decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with employees, management, and external vendors.
• High level of confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive compensation information.
• Detail-oriented and well-organized, capable of managing multiple tasks and priorities.