Total Rewards Manager

Palmer Group International, LLC; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Group International, LLC is seeking a Total Rewards Manager to develop, implement, and manage benefits, retirement, wellness, recognition, and other rewards programs. You will partner with HR and business leaders to support strategic priorities and serve as a subject matter expert with the Director of Total Rewards.

You will lead cross-functional projects from planning through implementation, interpret regulations, and help align programs with business needs while enhancing the employee

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years in benefits or Total Rewards operations and administration.
• Knowledge of health and retirement plans design, strategy, operations, governance and compliance.
• Experience with Workday implementation and configuration.
• Ability to analyze data and present fact-based recommendations.
• Strong relationship-building, interpersonal, listening, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to develop and manage organizational budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise and consultation on benefits, retirement, compensation, recognition, and other rewards programs.
• Partner with HR Business Partners, leaders, vendors, consultants, attorneys, and teams to align programs with priorities.
• Support Workday and other tech solutions to improve the employee experience.
• Lead financial wellness efforts through education, tools, and retirement-readiness programming.
• Support wellness initiatives and evaluate employee needs and feedback.
• Serve as informal lead for the Benefits team, guiding day-to-day administration and goals.
• Lead cross-functional benefits projects from planning through implementation.
• Interpret complex regulations and ensure programs meet compliance.
• Contribute to legislative reviews, compliance activities, and change management.
• Guide, mentor, and develop people while building strong internal and external relationships.

Skills

Total Rewards

Benefits admin

Data analysis

Budget management

Stakeholder mgmt

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Tools

Workday

Job description

As Total Rewards Manager, you’ll help develop, implement, and manage benefits, retirement, wellness, recognition, and other rewards programs while partnering with HR and business leaders to support strategic priorities. Working closely with the Director of Total Rewards, you’ll serve as a subject matter expert, ensuring programs remain effective, compliant, competitive, and aligned with business needs. Bring your expertise to a role where you can enhance the employee experience and help shape the future of total rewards.

Work Model:

• On-Site

What You Will Do:

• Provide expertise and consultation on benefits, retirement, compensation, recognition, and other monetary and non-monetary rewards programs
• Partner with HR Business Partners, business leaders, vendors, consultants, attorneys, and internal teams to connect total rewards programs to organizational priorities
• Support the use of Workday and other technology solutions to improve the employee experience
• Lead financial wellness efforts through education, resources, tools, and retirement-readiness programming
• Support wellness initiatives and help evaluate employee needs and feedback
• Serve as an informal lead for the Benefits team, providing guidance on day-to-day administration, processes, and goals
• Lead cross-functional benefits projects from planning through implementation, keeping stakeholders informed throughout the project lifecycle
• Interpret complex regulations and help ensure programs and processes meet compliance requirements
• Contribute to legislative reviews, compliance activities, issue resolution, change management, and broader Total Rewards initiatives
• Guide, mentor, and develop people while building strong internal and external relationships

What You Will Need to Be Successful:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience
• At least 6 years of experience in benefits or Total Rewards operations and administration
• Strong knowledge of health and retirement plans, including design, strategy, operations, communication, engagement, governance, and compliance
• Experience with Workday implementation and configuration
• Ability to analyze data and present compelling, fact-based recommendations that support business objectives
• Strong relationship-building, interpersonal, listening, critical-thinking, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills
• Ability to develop and manage organizational budgets