Head of Total Rewards

LE0099 Focus Operating, LLC; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 275,000 - 325,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus Partners seeks a Head of Total Rewards to lead strategy, design, and governance of compensation, benefits, equity, and recognition programs across the enterprise.

Reporting to the CHRO, this role builds scalable processes, develops a high‑performing team, and aligns rewards with business growth, performance, and employee engagement.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, or total rewards, including senior leadership responsibility.
• Experience with Workday, including Compensation, Advanced Compensation, Benefits, and related HR systems modules required.
• Proven success building, scaling, or transforming total rewards functions in a complex or high‑growth environment.
• Deep expertise in compensation strategy, market benchmarking, incentive design, and rewards governance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive total rewards strategy aligned with business goals and talent priorities.
• Lead the design, administration, and governance of base salary, annual incentive, commission, and long-term incentive programs.
• Oversee annual compensation cycles including merit planning, bonus processes, promotions, and market reviews.
• Evaluate vendor partnerships and optimize benefits offerings to balance employee experience, competitiveness, and cost efficiency.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Workday

Compensation modules

Job description

Job Description Summary: The Head of Total Rewards is responsible for leading the strategy, design, execution, and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide compensation, benefits, equity, and recognition programs. Reporting to the CHRO, this leader will modernize total rewards programs, build scalable processes, develop a high-performing team, and ensure rewards programs support business growth, performance, and employee engagement. This role requires a strategic, hands‑on leader who can balance long-term vision with day‑to‑day execution. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable operating at the executive level, developing talent, improving processes, and getting into the details to drive results.

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership Develop and execute a comprehensive total rewards strategy aligned with business goals and talent priorities Serve as a trusted advisor to the CHRO and senior leadership team on compensation, benefits, and market trends Ensure rewards programs are competitive, equitable, and scalable across all business units.
• Compensation Lead Lead the design, administration, and governance of base salary, annual incentive, commission, and long-term incentive programs Oversee annual compensation cycles including merit planning, bonus processes, promotions, and market reviews Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and compensation modeling Support executive compensation programs, including board‑level materials, analytics, and recommendations Ensure compliance with all applicable compensation regulations, reporting, and governance requirements.
• Benefits & Wellbeing Lead strategy and oversight of health, retirement, wellness, leave, and other employee benefit programs Evaluate vendor partnerships and optimize benefits offerings to balance employee experience, competitiveness, and cost efficiency Drive employee education and engagement and education around benefits programs and resources.
• Operations & Transformation Assess current processes and implement more efficient, scalable ways of working across total rewards Lead systems optimization and process automation, including partnership with Workday team Build governance, controls, and repeatable processes that improve execution and service delivery Support integration and harmonization efforts across a dynamic and evolving business portfolio.
• Team Leadership Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing total rewards team focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement Establish clear priorities, development plans, and operating rhythms across the function.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, or total rewards, including senior leadership responsibility
• Experience with Workday, including Compensation, Advanced Compensation, Benefits, and related HR systems modules required
• Proven success building, scaling, or transforming total rewards functions in a complex or high‑growth environment
• Deep expertise in compensation strategy, market benchmarking, incentive design, and rewards governance
• Strong working knowledge of employee benefits and retirement programs
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes, simplify operations, and drive measurable outcomes
• Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to translate data into business insights
• Executive presence with strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience in financial services, professional services, private equity‑backed, or multi‑entity organization preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• This position is an exempt position.

The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $275,000-$325,000 base salary compensation range. Actual base pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant’s skill set. The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package. Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k). Please note that the job title is subject to change based on the selected candidate’s experience and education.

Focus Partners is an organization of wealth, asset, and business management resources that brings strength, innovation, and partnership to client relationships. Through a comprehensive range of services, Focus Partners supports clients at every stage of life, helping them manage their financial future. Focus Partners uses research‑backed investment strategies to create custom‑built portfolios and delivers personalized wealth planning solutions to clients in all 50 states. Focus Partners is part of Focus, a leading financial services firm comprised of wealth management, family office, and business management services. To learn more about Focus, visit focuspartners.com.

Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client‑first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

EEO Statement: Focus is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment decisions on the employee or candidate’s skillset, and without regard to an employee or candidate’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state and/or federal law. Focus complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

The following language is for US based roles only For California Applicants: Information on your California privacy rights can be found here For Indiana Applicants: It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component. For Maryland Applicants: I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAP OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100. For Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901. For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation. The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

People matter here, not just as a catchphrase, but as a belief. And we’re building a firm that takes its work seriously and holds itself to a high standard, but also one that never forgets that the work is done by people. Your experience, your judgment, and your perspective, they matter here. We’re growing and growth brings opportunity for learning, for advancement, and for building something lasting.

Focus, a business division of Focus Financial Partners, brings together businesses across Wealth, Business Management, Family Office, and International. Collectively, these firms—spanning the U.S., Canada, and Australia—deliver a broad spectrum of financial advice solutions to individuals, families, and institutions.

Our vision is clear: to be the leading fiduciary advice company in the world. For clients, that means an experience built around their needs. For advisors, it means access to the resources, tools, and capabilities typically available only at the largest global institutions. We believe talent is the key to realizing this vision. That’s why we invest in our people, support their growth, and create meaningful opportunities for development at every stage of their careers.