Director of Total Rewards

Morrison Foerster; New York (NY); On-site; USD 290,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Education reimbursement

Well-being program

Job summary

Morrison Foerster seeks a Director of Total Rewards to lead the firm’s global compensation, benefits, retirement, leaves, job architecture, and mobility programs. This is a senior role reporting to the Chief People Officer, with partnership across Finance and Legal to ensure compliant, market-competitive programs.

You will build and lead a high-performing Total Rewards team, drive analytics, and deliver data-driven decisions that attract and retain talent worldwide in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; CCP/GRP strongly preferred.
• 10–15+ years of progressive total rewards experience across compensation, benefits, and retirement.
• Law firm or professional services experience with global scope is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of the global total rewards strategy across compensation, benefits, retirement, and mobility.
• Partner with Firm Leadership, CPO, and Finance to design market-competitive programs.
• Oversee data integrity, compliance (ERISA where applicable), and communications of total rewards programs.
• Manage and develop a high-performing total rewards team with a focus on operational excellence.
• Oversee global mobility programs and international benefits; monitor regulatory changes.

Skills

Workforce analytics

Benchmarking

Financial modeling

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

CCP/GRP certification

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Overview

Ready to write your story? Join MoFo as DIRECTOR OF TOTAL REWARDS on our People team!

This role can be based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York or Washington, D.C.

https://www.mofo.com/offices

About The Role

The Director of Total Rewards is responsible for leading the development and overseeing the execution of the Firm’s global total rewards strategy, including compensation, benefits, retirement plans, wellbeing, leaves of absence, job architecture, and global mobility programs. This role serves as the Firm’s senior leader and subject matter expert across all total rewards disciplines, ensuring programs are market-competitive, compliant, and aligned with the Firm’s business objectives. This role will partner closely with Firm Leadership, the CPO, Finance, Legal and the broader People Function to design and deliver innovative, market-competitive programs that attract and retain top talent and enhance employee engagement. The Director will build and lead a high performing total rewards team with a strong focus on operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and data-driven decision making.

Compensation

• Develop and execute the Firm's global compensation strategy, including philosophy, market positioning, and pay practices for attorneys and business professionals.
• Analyze compensation surveys, benchmarking data, and workforce analytics to keep programs market-competitive and internally equitable; develop and periodically review salary structures across jurisdictions.
• Partner with Finance on annual compensation budgets, forecasting models, and cost projections.
• Provide strategic oversight of compensation cycles for attorneys, patent agents, legal analysts, and business professionals, including related training and resources for partners and managers.
• Oversee off-cycle and special compensation programs (sign-on bonuses, retention awards, special bonuses), ensuring consistent, strategy-aligned application.
• Oversee job architecture and evaluation processes for internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Oversee compensation data integrity in HRIS systems, identify improvement technologies, and monitor legislative/regulatory developments to ensure compliance.
• Oversee compensation communications so employees and managers understand the Firm's programs and philosophy.

Benefits, Retirement, and Well-Being

• Set strategic direction for benefits, retirement, leave of absence, and well-being programs that support attraction, retention, engagement, and productivity; evaluate market trends and employee feedback to keep programs competitive and cost-effective.
• Ensure a global benefits footprint, collaborating with non-US offices on market-relevant programs.
• Oversee relationships with benefits/retirement brokers, consultants, insurers, and vendors, including negotiations, RFPs/RFIs, performance reviews, and renewals.
• Support the Retirement and Benefits Committees on plan design, fiduciary, and effectiveness recommendations; ensure ERISA compliance with ERISA counsel. Provide oversight of U.S. retirement programs (401(k), Cash Balance Plan, Partner Owned Life Insurance (POLI), including audits, government filings (Form 5500, PBGC), and non-discrimination testing.
• Monitor legislative/regulatory developments (ERISA, IRS, PBGC, SECURE Act) affecting retirement and benefits, and ensure ongoing federal, state, and international compliance.
• Oversee U.S. leave of absence administration and policy, recordkeeping for non-U.S. leaves, and maintain up-to-date documentation of benefits/retirement processes for cross-training.
• Develop total rewards communication strategies, manage external/regulatory stakeholder communications, and oversee delivery of firm-wide benefits and retirement programs, including annual enrollment and related training.
• Conduct periodic program reviews for effectiveness and competitiveness; direct firm-wide well-being initiatives (physical, emotional, mental, financial, social); collaborate on annual budgeting/monthly reconciliation; and support resilience-building resources and training.

Global Mobility

• Oversee global mobility programs ensuring consistent employee experience, regulatory compliance, and cost effectiveness.
• Monitor global mobility trends and recommend/implement changes as needed.
• Monitor assignment-related costs, risks, and compliance obligations.

Governance and Analytics

• Leverage workforce analytics and market intelligence to inform strategic decisions.
• Establish metrics to assess total rewards program effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement through process optimization, technology, and automation.

Team Management

• Evaluate, mentor, and develop direct reports, providing opportunities to grow their skills and knowledge.
• Deliver coaching and feedback; collaborate on goal-setting to support achievable team and individual goals.
• Develop team members' skills to meet client service priorities; ensure the team is structured effectively with clear ownership and accountability.

About You

• Bachelor's degree required (Master's in HR, Business, Finance, or related field preferred); CCP, GRP, or similar certification strongly preferred.
• 10-15+ years of progressive total rewards experience, including strategic leadership across compensation, benefits, and retirement programs.
• Skilled in workforce analytics, benchmarking, and financial modeling to inform decision-making.
• Proven track record leading and developing high-performing teams, including global/functional leaders.
• Law firm or professional services experience strongly preferred, ideally with global, multi-jurisdictional scope across compensation, benefits, leaves, and mobility.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, translating complex data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to convey complex concepts to varied audiences and build credibility with leadership and stakeholders.
• Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, service-oriented culture while driving innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strategic thinker who contributes to broader people strategy and serves as an ambassador for the People function.
• Resilient, adaptable self-starter with a global mindset, able to manage competing priorities under pressure and tight deadlines.

About Mofo

At MoFo, we collaborate as one firm, across borders, practice areas, and business functions and value fresh ideas and innovation over conformity and competition.

• About Us: https://www.mofo.com/about
• Inclusion + Engagement: https://www.mofo.com/community/we-at-mofo
• Commitment to Pro Bono: https://www.mofo.com/community/pro-bono
• The MoFo Foundation: https://www.mofo.com/culture/mofo-foundation

About Our Benefits

MoFo offers a comprehensive benefits package starting on your first day.

• A variety of options for medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage to meet the needs of you and your family.
• Industry-leading parental leave and family benefits including adoption and fertility treatment options and backup child and elder care.
• Global wellness program, including free access to Talkspace and Calm apps.
• Annual community service day to make an impact on your community and a birthday holiday just for fun.
• Education reimbursement annually.
• Dedicated Talent Development team.
• Competitive annual profit-sharing contribution.

Where required by law, salary ranges are stated below. Additional compensation may include a discretionary bonus, overtime as applicable, health/welfare benefits, retirement contributions, paid holidays, and PTO. The range displayed is specifically for positions performed in those cities/states and may vary based on factors including but not limited to the following: local market data and ranges; an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience; and certain degrees, licensing, and certifications. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances.

New York, San Francisco salary range: $290k to $340k

Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. salary range: $275k to $325k

For questions regarding this position, please e-mail [e-mail]