Assistant Department Director – Total Rewards

Public Sector HR Association; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Durham seeks an Assistant Department Director for Total Rewards to lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of compensation, classification, and employee benefits for about 2,800 staff across 26 departments. Reports to the CHRO and collaborates with Budget, Finance, and department leaders.

Responsibilities span benefits administration, compensation planning, regulatory compliance, budget management, and vendor negotiations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or closely related field.
• Nine (9) years of progressively responsible professional experience in compensation, benefits, or total rewards administration.
• At least five (5) years in a supervisory or management capacity.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of Benefits and Compensation & Classification, including division managers and staff.
• Manage division budgets, vendor contracts, and RFP processes for benefits and compensation services.
• Present to City Council and represent HR in cross‑functional committees and task forces.
• Oversee vendor relationships, contracts, actuaries, consultants, and third‑party administrators.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or closely related field

Job description

The Assistant Department Director for Total Rewards directs the design, administration, and continuous improvement of the City’s compensation, classification, and employee benefits and wellness programs serving approximately 2,800 employees across 26 departments. With 6 – 8 direct reports, the Assistant Director ensures the City’s total rewards strategy attracts, retains, and motivates a high-performing
workforce while maintaining regulatory compliance and fiscal responsibility.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this position serves as a key member of the HR leadership team and partners closely with Budget Management Services, Finance, and department leadership to align total rewards programs with organizational priorities.

In alignment with the responsibilities of this position, the duties of the Assistant Department Director for Total Rewards span four main categories:

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of the Benefits and Compensation & Classification functions, including direct supervision of division managers and professional staff.
• Manage division operating budgets, vendor contracts, and RFP processes for benefits and compensation-related services.
• Present to City Council, make public presentations, and represent HR in cross-functional committees, working groups, and task forces.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, RFPs, actuaries, consultants, and third-party administrators supporting benefits and compensation programs.

Benefits & Total Rewards Administration

• Direct administration of employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, deferred compensation, flexible spending, and wellness programs.
• Manage annual benefits open enrollment, vendor negotiations, and plan design recommendations.
• Develop and deliver employee communications and education regarding total rewards programs, including new-hire orientation and open enrollment materials.

Compensation, Classification & Compliance

• Oversee the City’s compensation plan structure, including open-range plans for general government employees and step plans for sworn public safety positions.
• Lead classification studies, position reclassifications, and market salary surveys.
• Serve as a resource to department directors and managers on compensation philosophy, pay equity, and benefits interpretation.
• Develop compensation and benefits recommendations consistent with organizational policies and applicable regulations.+
• Monitor federal, state, and local regulatory requirements—including ACA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, FLSA, ERISA, and IRS requirements—and ensure compliance across total rewards programs.
• Partner with HRIS to ensure accurate configuration and reporting of benefits and compensation data within Oracle HCM Cloud.

Financial Planning & Budget Management

• Prepare total rewards analyses, cost projections, and recommendations for the CHRO, City Manager’s Office, and elected officials.
• Oversee development of FY pay option scenarios, and collaborate with Budget Management Services on compensation-related budget impacts.
• Manage division operating budgets and financial implications of benefits and compensation programs.

Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience

The qualified candidate will have earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field and gained a minimum of nine (9) years of progressively responsible professional experience in compensation, benefits, or total rewards administration, including at least five (5) years in a supervisory or management capacity. Municipal or public-sector experience is strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following credentials, experience, and knowledge:

• Master’s degree in HR, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• Professional certification, such as SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CCP (Certified Compensation Professional), or CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist).
• Experience administering compensation and benefits programs for a workforce of 2,000+ employees.
• Demonstrated experience with Oracle HCM Cloud or comparable enterprise HRIS/ERP platform.
• Experience with self-funded medical plan management and vendor negotiations.
• Knowledge of North Carolina Local Government Employee Retirement System (LGERS) or similar public retirement systems.

Compensation

The salary midpoint for this position is $150,366 annually. The selected candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

The City of Durham also offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.

The typical work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m