Total Rewards Manager

INQUIRER.net; Makati; On-site; PHP 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

INQUIRER.net is seeking a Total Rewards Manager in the Philippines to design and administer compensation, benefits, and payroll programs that are competitive and compliant with local laws. You will partner with HR, Finance, and leadership to deliver data-driven reward strategies and confidential compensation practices in a fast-paced media environment.

As an individual contributor, you will oversee end-to-end total rewards operations, including salary structures, benchmarking, incentive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or finance.
• 5–8 years in compensation, benefits, or payroll.
• Strong knowledge of Philippine labor laws and payroll practices.
• Experience with salary benchmarking and job evaluation.
• Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• High integrity and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain compensation strategies, salary structures, and grading systems.
• Lead market benchmarking to ensure competitive positioning.
• Manage end-to-end payroll processing and benefits administration.
• Design incentive programs and recognition initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and company policies.
• Provide guidance to leaders on total rewards policies.

Skills

HR knowledge

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

Integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Finance

Tools

Payroll systems

Excel

Job description

The Total Rewards Manager is responsible for the strategic design, implementation, and administration of compensation, benefits, and payroll programs to ensure market competitiveness, internal equity, and compliance with Philippine labor regulations. As an individual contributor, this role manages end-to-end total rewards operations while maintaining strict confidentiality of employee data and compensation information. The position partners closely with HR, Finance, and business leaders to support organizational goals through data-driven insights, effective reward strategies, and employee engagement initiatives within a dynamic media environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Compensation & Rewards Management

• a. Develop and maintain compensation strategies, salary structures, and grading systems aligned with industry benchmarks and organizational needs.
• b. Conduct market salary benchmarking to ensure competitive positioning through compensation and benefits survey data.
• c. Perform job evaluations to support equitable job pricing and internal alignment.
• d. Manage annual compensation cycles, including merit increases, salary adjustments, and bonus programs.
• e. Oversee compensation-related aspects of employee promotions, internal movements, and senior-level salary approvals.
• f. Prepare and negotiate competitive job offers, ensuring alignment with internal equity and budget parameters.

2. Payroll & Benefits Administration

• a. Manage end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with Philippine regulations.
• b. Manage and implement comprehensive benefits programs, including health, retirement, and wellness offerings.
• c. Maintain and manage relationships with external vendors and benefits providers to ensure efficient service delivery.
• d. Ensure confidentiality and integrity of payroll and compensation data at all times.

3. Incentives, Recognition & Engagement

• a. Design and implement incentive programs, including sales commissions and performance-based rewards.
• b. Develop and manage employee recognition and awards programs to enhance engagement and retention.
• c. Support and drive retention strategies through competitive and relevant total rewards initiatives.

4. Analytics, Reporting & Compliance

• a. Analyze compensation data and trends to provide actionable insights and recommendations.
• b. Prepare reports on compensation metrics, cost analysis, and forecasts for management decision-making.
• c. Preparation of the annual HR budget in collaboration with the HR & Admin Director and Finance.
• d. Ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws, tax regulations, and company policies related to compensation and benefits.

5. Business Partnership & HR Support

• a. Partner with HR Business Partners, Finance, and leadership to align total rewards strategies with business objectives.
• b. Provide guidance to leaders and employees on compensation, benefits, and related policies.
• c. Support HR processes including recruitment, onboarding, and employee retention initiatives.
• d. Handle sensitive and confidential communications with discretion and professionalism.

6. Other Responsibilities

• a. Perform other related duties that may be assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 5–8 years of experience in compensation and benefits, total rewards, or payroll management.
• Strong knowledge of Philippine labor laws, payroll practices, and statutory requirements.
• Experience in salary benchmarking, job evaluation, and compensation design.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking and Business Acumen
• Analytical and Data-Driven Decision Making
• Attention to Detail and Accuracy
• Stakeholder Management and Collaboration
• Confidentiality and Professional Integrity
• Adaptability in a Fast-Paced Environment