Remote Total Rewards, Systems & AI Operations Leader

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

Job summary

Ignite Human Capital is partnering with a California-based client to appoint a Total Rewards, Systems & Operations Leader who will own strategy, design, and day-to-day administration of compensation and benefits across a remote-enabled environment.

The role requires deep technical pay/benefits expertise, strong people leadership, and hands-on experience using AI and automation to modernize how total rewards is delivered, measured, and governed. Remote/virtual eligible for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Strong compensation and benefits leadership with ownership of an organization's total rewards programs (plan design, renewals, vendor management, compliance).
• Proven people leadership managing multiple direct reports including analysts and HR business partners.
• Solid understanding of compensation structures, market pricing, incentive design, and pay equity practices.
• Working knowledge of HRIS, payroll, benefits administration systems, and Greenhouse (ATS).
• Hands-on experience leveraging AI and automation tools within HR/total rewards operations.
• Strong grasp of employment and benefits law (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, state laws).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, comfortable presenting to senior leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, funding strategy, governance, and end-to-end administration of the company's total rewards programs, including base pay, incentive compensation, executive compensation support, and the full benefits portfolio.
• Lead annual compensation cycles—merit, promotion, and bonus planning—including market pricing, salary structure design/maintenance, and pay equity analysis.
• Serve as the executive-facing owner of the benefits program: carrier and broker relationships, renewal strategy, plan design changes, open enrollment, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct the systems and operations backbone of total rewards—HRIS/payroll integrations, benefits administration platforms, Greenhouse (ATS) and other recruiting/HR systems.
• Champion the use of AI-driven tools and automation across total rewards and HR operations—from AI-assisted market pricing and pay equity analysis to chatbot/self-service tools for benefits and compensation questions.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of compensation/benefits analysts and HR business partners, setting priorities and building capability.
• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, HRIS/IT, and senior HR leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and total rewards strategy.
• Monitor market trends and regulatory changes, bringing forward recommendations that keep programs competitive and compliant.
• Own vendor management and RFP processes for benefits brokers, carriers, and HRIS/ATS technology partners.
• Build and maintain reporting, dashboards, and audit processes that give leadership visibility into total rewards spend and program effectiveness.
• Act as escalation point for complex compensation and benefits questions from employees and managers.

Job description

Ignite Human Capital is partnering with a California-based client to appoint a Total Rewards, Systems & Operations Leader who will own strategy, design, and day-to-day administration of compensation and benefits across a remote-enabled environment.

The role requires deep technical pay/benefits expertise, strong people leadership, and hands-on experience using AI and automation to modernize how total rewards is delivered, measured, and governed. Remote/virtual eligible for the right candidate.