Senior Director, Total Rewards and Payroll

American Traffic Solutions; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Verra Mobility seeks a Senior Director Total Rewards and Payroll to drive its global compensation, benefits and payroll strategy. You will lead a skilled team, partner with Finance and Legal, and advise executives on cost-effective, compliant rewards programs across regions.

The role requires deep expertise in executive compensation, equity programs, and salary structures, with a focus on governance, benchmarking, and regulatory compliance. Global scope includes multiple countries and US.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years in compensation, benefits and payroll.
• At least 5 years leading teams and managing managers.
• Expertise in executive compensation, equity programs and committee reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead global total rewards and payroll strategy and multi-year roadmap.
• Manage budgets, vendors, and collaborators with Finance.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and international requirements including pay transparency laws.
• Oversee global equity program, grants, vesting and external administrator.
• Lead annual merit, bonus, and equity cycles and benchmarking.

Skills

Executive compensation

Total rewards strategy

Payroll governance

Leadership & people management

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive presence

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Finance/Business

Advanced degree a plus

Certifications: CCP/CEBS/CBP/SHRM-SCP or SPHR

Experience with Workday

Job description

Position Overview

The Senior Director Total Rewards and Payroll is a hands‑on, global leader responsible for the strategy, design, governance, and execution of Verra Mobility's executive and broad-based compensation, benefits, and payroll programs. Reporting to the SVP, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Interim Head of HR, this leader advises executives, HR, and employees while leading a team that delivers competitive, cost-effective rewards and accurate, compliant payroll globally.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the global total rewards and payroll strategy and multi-year roadmap, building buy-in from executive leadership through execution.
• Serve as trusted advisor to executive leadership and HRBPs; lead, coach, and develop the Total Rewards and Payroll team, building succession and capability.
• Manage total rewards and payroll budgets, vendors, and consultants; partner with Finance on forecasting and cost management.
• Establish streamlined processes, documentation, and governance that reflect business unit and country differences.
• Lead change management and communications that build employee understanding of rewards programs.

Executive And Broad-Based Compensation

• Partner with the third-party executive compensation consultant to design and govern executive compensation programs, including pay positioning, short- and long-term incentives, and peer group benchmarking; prepare Compensation Committee materials and analysis in partnership with Legal and Finance.
• Oversee the global equity program, including grants, vesting, and administration with the external stock plan administrator.
• Own global job architecture, salary structures and grade levels, and broad-based incentive plans.
• Lead the annual merit, bonus, and equity cycle, competitive benchmarking, and salary survey participation.
• Guide offers and job evaluations using market data and internal equity; advise on job descriptions and FLSA status in partnership with Legal.
• Partner with HRBPs on organizational structure, spans, and layers.
• Ensure compensation programs comply with federal, state, and international requirements, including pay transparency laws such as salary range disclosure and the EU Pay Transparency Directive, in partnership with Legal.

Benefits

• Design and lead a cost-effective, competitive global benefits strategy covering health and welfare, 401(k), leave, voluntary benefits, and perks that strengthens attraction and retention.
• Oversee the broker, carriers, and 401(k) providers, including renewals, cost management, invoice accuracy, HRIS carrier connections, and U.S. and global enrollment.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, FMLA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA and international requirements, including annual benefit and 401(k) plan filings.
• Identify trends and regulatory changes to improve plan design and streamline administration.

Payroll

• Own end-to-end global and U.S. payroll processes, systems, and controls, ensuring accurate and timely execution.
• Ensure compliance with country, federal, state, and local payroll tax and wage laws.
• Drive payroll optimization, automation and integration with HRIS and Finance, including audit readiness.
• Ensure accurate payroll treatment of incentives, equity and benefit deductions in partnership with compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of experience across compensation, benefits and payroll, including at least 5 years leading teams and managing managers.
• Demonstrated expertise in executive compensation, equity programs and Compensation Committee reporting, as well as broad-based compensation design.
• Proven experience leading global benefits and payroll operations in multiple countries; mergers and acquisitions experience preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state and international regulations, including FLSA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA and FMLA.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas) and strong Microsoft Office skills required.
• Technology industry or HR consulting experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Math, Business Management or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered. Advanced degree a plus.
• Certifications such as CCP, CEBS, CBP, SHRM-SCP or SPHR strongly preferred; CPP or FPC a plus.
• Strategic thinker with business acumen, executive presence and excellent communication skills; able to influence senior leaders across levels and geographies.
• Detail‑oriented problem solver who manages multiple priorities, analyzes and presents complex data and handles confidential information with integrity.
• Works independently and collaboratively; accountable for results.
• Workday experience preferred.

Verra Mobility Values

An ideal candidate for this role naturally works in alignment with the Verra Mobility Core Values:

• Own It. We focus on high performance and drive toward breakthrough outcomes. Our employees ensure accountability, optimize and align work, focus on the customer and cultivate innovation.
• Do What’s Right. We champion integrity and good character. Our team members model ethical behavior, demonstrate good judgment and are courageous.
• Choose Courage Over Comfort. We lean into conversations, decisions and actions that move the business forward, even when they feel uncomfortable. We challenge assumptions, address issues early and prioritize progress over ease.
• Win Together. We believe in growing and inspiring people together. We seek people who collaborate, value differences, think and act globally, foster an engaging work environment and recognize and develop others.

Verra Mobility is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.