Assistant Human Resources Director – Total Rewards

The Midtown Group; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Midtown Group has been retained to fulfill an critical Assistant HR Director - Total Rewards role for the City of Dallas. This position leads total rewards strategy across compensation, benefits, recognition, and wellness to attract, retain, and engage 15K+ public sector employees.

Ideal candidates bring hands-on benefits expertise, strong Workday skills, and a track record of data-driven decision making in large government entities, with potential to advance toward a Director level.

Qualifications

• 8+ years HR management with benefits/comp focus.
• Public sector experience preferred.
• Data-driven HR initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Strong regulatory compliance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement data-driven total rewards strategy.
• Oversee Compensation and Benefits Service Center and Wellness.
• Lead benefits/compensation projects and communication.
• Partner across HR, finance, and business functions.
• Develop workforce planning initiatives.

Skills

Total rewards

Data analysis

Public sector

Vendor management

Workday

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Workday

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

The Midtown Group has been retained to fulfill a critical Assistant HR Director - Total Rewards role for the City of Dallas. This is a fantastic opportunity for a local government HR professional who is ready for a new challenge.

The current team member in this role is retiring shortly, and we are actively seeking candidates with "hands on" compensation and benefits expertise within large public sector entities that includes serving 15K + employees, including large populations of a highly regulated workforce (police, fire, etc.). The current benefits budget is close to $200 million per year.

Ideal candidates will be seasoned, proactive, and well versed in managing large benefits plans in a nimble environment, proficient with WorkDay, and looking for a new challenge and career growth. Someone with the potential to reach the Director level within three to four years will be well received in this highly visible role.

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Director, Total Rewards, is a key member of the Human Resources team, playing a critical role in shaping the future of the organization's workforce through strategic planning and data-driven insights. This position reports to the Director of Human Resources and is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive total rewards strategies to attract, retain, and develop top talent, manage cost effectively, and enhance employee well-being and engagement.

Job Description/Essential Functions

Develop and implement a data-driven total rewards strategy that includes competitive compensation, benefits programs, recognition programs, and other elements aimed at attracting and retaining top talent, managing costs, and enhancing employee satisfaction.

Utilize data analysis methodologies to optimize benefits/compensation performance, ensuring maximized value to employees and improved well-being and engagement.

Lead and manage the Compensation and Benefits Service Center and Wellness functions, ensuring efficient operations and delivery of high- quality services to employees.

Oversee benefits-related projects and promote employee understanding of benefits programs through clear and engaging communication. Partner with stakeholders across the organization to develop, implement, and communicate benefits and workforce planning initiatives.

Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning and development for assigned staff and the organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of total rewards strategy, including compensation, benefits, recognition, and wellness program design and administration.

Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, and recommend improvements.

Strong expertise in public sector compensation and benefits management, vendor relations, and regulatory compliance (e.g., ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA).

Strategic planning and execution ability to align total rewards initiatives with organizational goals and workforce needs. Proficiency with HR systems and data tools (e.g., Workday, Tableau, Power BI) for reporting, analytics, and operational efficiency.

Strong leadership, coaching, and people management skills to develop high-performing teams and foster continuous improvement, strong problem-solving, and negotiation skills.

Excellent communication and presentation abilities to clearly convey complex rewards information to diverse audiences

Financial and project management acumen to manage budgets, optimize costs, and lead successful implementation of new initiatives Ability to foster collaboration and cross-functional partnerships to ensure alignment across HR, finance, and business functions.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, adaptability and commitment to public service, continuous learning, innovation, and promoting employee engagement and well-being.

Desired Experience

A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in Human Resources Management with a strong focus on benefits and compensation including experience in developing and implementing data-driven HR initiatives with measurable outcomes; preferably in the public sector.

Licenses and Certifications Following certifications are preferred:

• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)


• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)


• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Required Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Management, Finance, Economics, Data Analytics, Public Relations, Public Administration or Business Administration.

Equivalency

• Associate degree in required field and ten (10) years of required relevant experience will meet the education and experience requirements.


• Master's degree in required field and six (6) years of required relevant experience will meet the education and experience requirements.