Total Rewards Manager

Nidec; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nidec is seeking a Manager, Total Rewards to lead US benefits, leave, retirement, and wellness programs. This role reports to the Director, U.S. HR Operations and partners with HR, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to ensure compliant, employee-friendly Total Rewards operations.

The role emphasizes governance, program effectiveness, and continuous process improvements across all U.S. locations, driving service excellence and regulatory adherence.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Total Rewards programs including benefits, leave, retirement, and wellness.
• Knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA and related regulations.
• Ability to drive governance, policy development, and internal audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration of U.S. employee benefits, leave, and retirement programs.
• Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and vendors to ensure compliance and service quality.
• Drive continuous improvement, vendor performance, and program efficiency.
• Oversee data integrity across HR systems and benefit platforms.

Skills

Total Rewards leadership

Benefits administration

Regulatory compliance

Vendor management

Project coordination

Job description

We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world's dreams, people's dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality.

All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world's and people's tomorrows; the world's first, the world's best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.

Job Summary

Nidec is the world's leading manufacturer of electric motors, drives, and controls, powering nearly everything that spins and moves, from smartphones and household appliances to electric vehicles, factories, data centers, aircraft, and critical infrastructure.

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Nidec operates more than 300 group companies across 40+ countries, with over 100,000 employees worldwide. Rooted in Japanese craftsmanship and continuous improvement, we combine global capability with local expertise to solve complex challenges and keep the world moving.

Job Description

The Manager, Total Rewards is responsible for the leadership, administration, governance, and continuous improvement of Nidec's U.S. benefits, leave of absence, retirement, and wellness programs. Reporting to the Director, U.S. HR Operations, this role serves as the functional leader for Total Rewards operations and is accountable for ensuring programs are administered effectively, compliantly, and in a manner that supports a positive employee experience.

This role partners closely with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Legal, external vendors, brokers, and service providers to ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and consistent delivery of Total Rewards programs across the organization.

The Manager, Total Rewards provides functional leadership for internal and shared-service resources supporting benefits and leave administration while driving process improvements, vendor performance, and program effectiveness.

What You'll Do

Total Rewards Program Leadership

• Lead the administration and ongoing management of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, wellness, life insurance, disability, pension, and 401(k) plans.
• Establish annual priorities and operational objectives for Total Rewards programs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend enhancements that improve employee experience, operational efficiency, and compliance.
• Ensure programs are administered consistently and aligned with organizational objectives.

Benefits & Leave Administration

• Oversee administration of employee benefit and leave programs across all U.S. locations.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex benefits and leave matters.
• Partner with Nidec's leave administrator to ensure effective administration of FMLA, ADA, state paid family and medical leave programs, paid sick leave, and related requirements.
• Ensure employees, managers, and HR partners receive accurate guidance regarding program eligibility, processes, and obligations.

Retirement Program Administration

• Oversee administration of retirement programs, including pension and 401(k) plans.
• Coordinate annual audits, compliance testing, Form 5500 filings, and related activities.
• Partner with vendors, advisors, and internal stakeholders to maintain program effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
• Support employee education and communication related to retirement programs.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, Section 125, FMLA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee required notices, filings, disclosures, and compliance documentation.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, controls, and governance practices supporting Total Rewards programs.
• Support internal audits, external audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance assessments.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess organizational impacts.

Vendor & Service Delivery Management

• Lead relationships with insurance carriers, brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, and external service providers.
• Establish performance expectations and service standards for vendors.
• Review vendor performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive issue resolution.
• Oversee vendor invoicing, billing reconciliation, and contract-related activities.
• Partner with vendors to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and technology enhancements across Total Rewards programs.
• Establish and monitor metrics related to service delivery, compliance, employee experience, and operational performance.
• Ensure accurate administration of employee data across HR systems, benefit platforms, and related technologies.
• Improve scalability, consistency, and effectiveness of program administration.