Global Total Rewards Executive - AI-Driven Payroll & Benefits

Watlow; Maryland Heights (MO); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Watlow is seeking a Senior Director, Global Total Rewards & Systems to lead compensation, benefits, payroll and HR systems for 5,000+ employees across 30+ countries. You will set the rewards strategy and actively build key programs, including global job architecture, sales incentives and AI-enabled HR tooling.

You will partner with executives, lead a four-person team, and drive payroll conversions, vendor partnerships and cost optimization while maintaining competitive rewards for engineers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business, finance, HR, or related field.
• 15+ years in total rewards with global scope and 5+ years leading a team.
• Experience designing incentive plans and pay programs for engineering/technical roles.
• Experience leading a job architecture or leveling project.
• Global payroll and HR systems experience (Dayforce/Workday/SAP/SF/Oracle).
• Experience selecting and managing benefits brokers across multiple countries.
• Strong financial and analytical skills; able to explain complex topics to executives.
• Proven leadership with ability to guide, motivate and delegate to deliver results.

Responsibilities

• Own and update Watlow's global pay philosophy, salary structures and job leveling.
• Run annual merit, bonus and promotion cycles from planning through communications.
• Lead design of incentive plans across 30 countries.
• Oversee benefits plan design, vendor management and compliance globally.
• Own HR systems, data quality, reporting and AI tool adoption.
• Oversee payroll compliance and integration with in-house or vendor setups.
• Lead pay equity reviews and readiness for pay transparency rules.
• Advise CHRO/Board on pay decisions and workforce cost.

Skills

Total rewards leadership

Incentive plan design

Job architecture

Leadership

Financial analysis

Executive communication

Global payroll oversight

Benefits vendor management

AI / automation in HR

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/HR

MBA (preferred)

Tools

Dayforce

Workday

SAP SuccessFactors

Oracle

Job description

Watlow is seeking a Senior Director, Global Total Rewards & Systems to lead compensation, benefits, payroll and HR systems for 5,000+ employees across 30+ countries. You will set the rewards strategy and actively build key programs, including global job architecture, sales incentives and AI-enabled HR tooling.

You will partner with executives, lead a four-person team, and drive payroll conversions, vendor partnerships and cost optimization while maintaining competitive rewards for engineers and