Director, Comp & Benefits/Total Rewards

California Water Service Company; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

California Water Service Group seeks a Director of Compensation & Benefits/Total Rewards to lead its total rewards strategy from San Jose. The role drives compensation, health and retirement programs, and related governance.

You will mentor staff, analyze market data, and coordinate with executives to align rewards with business goals. Ideal candidate has extensive experience in compensation/benefits leadership, strong negotiation skills, and deep regulatory knowledge (ERISA/ACA).

Qualifications

• Experience leading a compensation/benefits organization in a medium to large enterprise.
• Minimum five years in a management capacity involving HR leadership.
• Ability to design and implement total rewards aligned with business strategy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, evaluate, and implement compensation and benefits programs and total rewards.
• Provide strategic direction for total rewards philosophy and governance.
• Lead the HR compensation/benefits team and mentor staff.
• Analyze market data, update salary structures, and participate in surveys.
• Support executive compensation materials and proxy disclosures.
• Manage relationships with brokers, consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Ensure ERISA/ACA compliance and regulatory filings.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

People management

Communication

Data analysis

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration / HR / Organizational Development

MBA (preferred)

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

Job description

California Water Service

California Water Service Group, a prominent publicly traded utilities company, is seeking an accomplished and strategic-minded Director of Compensation & Benefits/Total Rewards to join its HR team. California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States, providing high-quality water and wastewater services to more than two million people through four regulated subsidiaries: California Water Service (Cal Water), Hawaii Water Service (Hawaii Water), New Mexico Water Service (New Mexico Water), Washington Water Service (Washington Water), and growing. We are committed to improving the quality of life for our customers, communities, employees, and stockholders. We do this by living our core values and delivering on our promise to provide quality, service, and value.

The Director of Compensation & Benefits/Total Rewards serves as a key member of the senior HR leadership team working collaboratively with the Vice President, Chief Human Resource Officer, the Chaiman & Chief Executive Officer, and peers to establish HR strategy supporting the overall business, respond to issues, and enhance the HR function. The Director of Compensation & Benefits/Total Rewards is responsible for overseeing, evaluating, developing, and implementing benefit, compensation, and rewards programs; providing strategic direction in total rewards philosophy and developing initiatives, processes, and operational plans. This position is located in San Jose, California.

Essential Job Functions

• Develops, executes, and communicates key benefits and compensation programs including compensation, health and wellness, retirement, workers compensation, and leaves of absence plans
• Ensures benefit programs support the Company's strategic objectives and are cost effective; recommends changes and improvements to benefits and compensation plans
• Leads, develops, and mentors staff, fostering their growth and development, and ensuring they provide high-quality support to the organization
• Direct and oversees analysis of market data, updating of salary structures, and participation in salary surveys
• Oversees merit increase and incentive/at risk pay programs, including merit budget analysis and recommendations
• Supports union wage and benefit negotiations for contract renewals or newly created/bargained positions
• Supports preparation of annual proxy disclosures
• Supports the CHRO, Chief Executive Officer, and the Organization and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors with analysis and review of executive compensation data/materials
• Manages the relationship and performance of brokers, consultants, vendors, and contractors
• Support the Employee Benefits Finance Committee in the fulfillment of its responsibilities
• Oversees all benefits related compliance matters including, Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other federal laws and regulations impacting benefits; regulatory filings, and plan audits

Critical Success Factors in Year One

• Conduct a holistic review of current compensation and benefits programs and recommend enhancements to align with California Water Service Group's strategic direction
• Establish strong relationships with senior leadership, HR partners, and key stakeholders to foster collaboration and ensure the effectiveness of total rewards programs
• Successfully support union negotiations related to compensation and benefits while aligning union strategies with the overall business objectives
• Develop a long-term roadmap for total rewards that includes competitive benchmarking, cost control, and employee engagement strategies

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• Significant experience leading a compensation/benefits organization for a medium to large size organization in the private or public sector, with an emphasis on delivering excellent customer service
• Five or more years of progressive experience in a management capacity, prior experience as a Human Resources Manager or Business Partner, preferred
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, design and implement total rewards programs based on market assessment and business strategy
• Strong team building and change management skills; ability to engage various audiences and cultivate effective relationships at all levels of employees and management
• Strong communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills to work with agencies, contractors, consultants, customers, employees, and vendors
• Expert analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data, draw insights, and make data-driven recommendations
• Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy and integrity
• Extensive knowledge of relevant federal and state regulations and legislation
• High degree of confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and complex software applications, including Workday
• Hands‑on, Classification, Job Architecture, and Compensation design and benchmarking; ideally applicable for utility environment
• Prefer experience with Pension administration, multi‑state Payroll, , Union relations, Utility industry

Education

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field and/or equivalent relevant experience required; MBA preferred

Salary Range: $190,000 - $250,000

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity. California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service Company, New Mexico Water Service Company and Washington Water Service Company do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class. The Company makes all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner. EOE, VET, DISABILITIES