Total Rewards Manager

WorldatWork; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WorldatWork seeks a Senior Total Rewards leader to design, implement, and continuously improve compensation and benefits programs across its funeral services, cemetery, crematory, and corporate locations in the United States and Canada.

The role ensures total rewards support business objectives, attracts top talent, engages employees, and maintains compliance with federal, state, provincial, and local regulations. Requires 8–10 years of progressive experience and a Bachelor’s degree.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in HR, business, finance, or related field.
• 8–10 years of progressive compensation, benefits, or total rewards experience.
• Experience supporting multi-site or geographically dispersed organizations.
• Experience supporting U.S. and Canadian businesses and relevant employment frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Designs, administers, and improves compensation and benefits programs across multiple locations in the U.S. and Canada.
• Leads market pricing, salary structures, and pay equity analyses.
• Oversees benefits renewal, vendor management, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.
• Provides Total Rewards strategy, metrics, and communication to leadership and HR partners.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field

Job description

Summary / Objective

This role is responsible for the design, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of the organization's compensation and benefits programs across its funeral home, cemetery, crematory, and corporate locations in the United States and Canada. Additionally, this role ensures that total rewards programs support the company's business objectives, attract and retain top talent, promote employee engagement, and maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local regulations.

Key Accountabilities

Compensation

• Develops, administers, and maintains competitive compensation programs for corporate, operational, sales, cemetery, funeral home, and field leadership positions.
• Conducts market pricing and benchmarking using industry compensation surveys and labor market data.
• Evaluates and maintains salary structures, pay grades, and compensation philosophy.
• Analyzes internal pay equity and recommends adjustments to ensure competitiveness and fairness.
• Partners with leadership on annual compensation planning, merit increases, promotions, and incentive awards.
• Designs and administers commission, bonus, and incentive plans.
• Provides compensation modeling and workforce cost analyses to support budgeting and strategic planning.
• Ensures job postings and compensation practices comply with applicable state, provincial, and local pay transparency and pay equity laws.
• Oversees FLSA and equivalent Canadian employment standards classification of positions to ensure accurate wage-and-hour compliance.

Benefits

• Leads annual benefits renewal and open enrollment processes.
• Manages vendor selection, competitive bidding (RFP), and contract negotiation with brokers, carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators.
• Evaluates benefit plan effectiveness and recommends enhancements based on workforce needs and market trends.
• Monitors benefits costs and identifies opportunities for plan optimization.
• Oversees leave of absence and disability program administration, including compliance with FMLA and applicable state and provincial leave laws.
• Administers retirement plans (401(k)/RRSP), including fiduciary support, plan committee coordination, and required filings (e.g., Form 5500).
• Ensures compliance with the Affordable Care Act, including applicable large employer reporting and Form 1095-C administration.
• Ensures compliance with state and provincial benefit and retirement plan regulations across the United States and Canada.
• Coordinates annual audits, filings, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Maintains plan documentation and employee communications in accordance with legal requirements.

Total Rewards Strategy & Communication

• Develops employee communications and educational materials, including Total Rewards statements, to improve understanding and participation.
• Recommends innovative total rewards strategies that enhance employee engagement and retention.
• Develops and tracks key compensation and benefits metrics.
• Provides training and guidance to HR Business Partners and operational leaders regarding compensation and benefits programs.

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Supports due diligence and compensation and benefits integration activities related to acquisitions, including harmonization of plans and pay structures post-close.
• Analyzes workforce trends, turnover, retention, benefit utilization, and compensation effectiveness to support organizational growth and integration initiatives.

Required Education, Experience, Certifications and Licensure

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, or total rewards administration.
• Experience supporting multi-site or geographically dispersed organizations required.
• Experience supporting both U.S. and Canadian businesses, including familiarity with the distinct compensation, benefits, and employment law frameworks in each country, required.
• Valid state-issued driver's license in good standing and an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Education, Experience, Certifications and Licensure

• Experience in healthcare, consumer services, hospitality, retail, funeral services, cemetery operations, or similar service-based industries preferred.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and workforce integrations strongly preferred.