Director, Compensation, Benefits, HR Systems

Jobtailor; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a strategic Head of Total Rewards in San Diego to lead compensation and benefits programs, including salary structures, equity guidelines, annual reviews, and market benchmarking. You will own the design and governance of total rewards in a high-growth biotech environment.

This role partners with senior leadership, oversees HRIS strategy, payroll transition, and benefits administration, and ensures data governance, reporting, and scalable processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, finance or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive HR experience with expertise in compensation, benefits, and/or HRIS, including experience leading total rewards programs.
• Strong knowledge of compensation benchmarking, salary structures, incentive compensation, equity programs, and job architecture.
• Experience managing U.S. benefits programs and working with brokers, consultants, and vendors.
• Demonstrated HRIS expertise, including system implementation, optimization, reporting, and data governance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex compensation and workforce data into actionable recommendations.
• Experience partnering with senior executives, Finance, Legal, and HR leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s compensation strategy and programs, including salary structures, job leveling, annual compensation reviews, bonus programs, equity guidelines, promotions, and market benchmarking.
• Manage executive, employee, and international compensation benchmarking.
• Oversee employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement, leave, wellness, and other benefit offerings.

Skills

Compensation Benchmarking

HRIS Administration

Employee Benefits Management

Project Management

Certified Compensation Professional (C

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/BA/Finance

Tools

HRIS

PEO Systems

Benefits Software

Data Reporting Tools

Compensation Tools

Job description

• Lead the company's compensation strategy and programs, including salary structures, job leveling, annual compensation reviews, bonus programs, equity guidelines, promotions, and market benchmarking
• Manage executive, employee, and international compensation benchmarking
• Oversee employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement, leave, wellness, and other benefit offerings
• Evaluate benefits competitiveness, cost, and employee experience
• Lead annual benefits renewal and open enrollment processes
• Manage relationships with brokers, consultants, and benefit vendors
• Own HRIS strategy and administration, including PEO exit
• Ensure HR systems, workflows, integrations, reporting, and data are accurate, efficient, and scalable
• Establish and maintain policies, controls, documentation, and governance across compensation, benefits, and HR systems
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline HR processes and improve employee and manager experience
• Stay current on market trends, regulatory requirements, and emerging practices in compensation, benefits, and HR technology
• Report to the Head of HR
• Support Iambic Therapeutics, a clinical-stage life-science and technology company developing novel medicines using an AI-driven discovery and development platform

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, finance or related field
• 12+ years of progressive HR experience with significant expertise in compensation, benefits, and/or HRIS, including experience leading total rewards programs
• Strong knowledge of compensation benchmarking, salary structures, incentive compensation, equity programs, and job architecture
• Experience managing U.S. benefits programs and working with brokers, consultants, and vendors
• Demonstrated HRIS expertise, including system implementation, optimization, reporting, and data governance
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex compensation and workforce data into actionable recommendations
• Experience partnering with senior executives, Finance, Legal, and HR leadership
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) preferred
• International experience a plus
• Experience with a successful transition off a PEO, standing up in-house payroll, benefits administration, and HR Systems preferred
• Experience in a high-growth, biotechnology, technology, or public-company environment preferred
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States
• Must answer whether visa sponsorship will be required now or in the future
• Must live in San Diego or be willing to relocate

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in leading compensation and benefits strategies, including salary structures, job leveling, and HRIS administration. Proven ability to analyze compensation data and manage relationships with brokers and vendors in a high-growth biotechnology environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Compensation Benchmarking
• HRIS Administration
• Employee Benefits Management
• Project Management
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

Hard Skills

• Compensation Strategy
• Salary Structures
• Job Leveling
• Incentive Compensation
• Data Governance
• Benefits Competitiveness Evaluation
• HR Systems Optimization
• Market Benchmarking
• Equity Programs
• Total Rewards Programs

Soft Skills

• Analytical Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills

Certifications & Qualifications

• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

Industry Keywords

• Biotechnology
• Life Sciences
• High-Growth Environment
• Public-Company Standards
• Employee Experience

Tools & Technologies

• HRIS
• PEO Systems
• Benefits Administration Software
• Data Reporting Tools
• Compensation Management Tools