Total Rewards Manager

Hunt; Ventura (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rincon Consultants is seeking a Total Rewards Manager to lead the design, delivery, and evolution of compensation and benefits programs. This role blends data, systems, and employee experience to create scalable, equitable programs.

You’ll partner with leadership and HR to ensure programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with our culture and growth strategy, with a flexible in-office/remote arrangement and a preference for candidates within 50 miles of a Rincon office.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in Total Rewards, Compensation, and/or Benefits.
• Strong expertise in compensation program design, benchmarking, and pay equity.
• Experience leading benefits renewals and vendor negotiations.
• Analytical mindset with experience using HRIS and data tools.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Experience in professional services or multi-disciplinary environments preferred.
• Certifications such as CCP, CBP, or CEBS are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Evolve a market-informed, equitable, and performance-driven compensation philosophy.
• Lead pay equity analyses and ensure consistent, fair pay practices.
• Manage salary structures, benchmarking, and job architecture.
• Design and improve technology-enabled compensation processes (annual + off-cycle).
• Partner with leaders to ensure consistent application of compensation guidelines.
• Oversee bonus, incentive, and recognition programs aligned with performance.
• Lead administration of health, retirement, and wellness programs.
• Manage annual renewals, vendor negotiations, and cost strategy.
• Own relationships with brokers, carriers, and consultants.
• Drive performance, service quality, and cost optimization.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and related regulations.
• Support audits, reporting, and governance practices.
• Deliver clear, transparent communication on compensation and benefits.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to employees and leaders.
• Track metrics on compensation competitiveness, utilization, and ROI.

Skills

Total Rewards

Compensation design

Pay equity

Vendor negotiations

HRIS and data tools

Regulatory knowledge

Professional services experience

Tools

HRIS tools

Job description

About Us

We are an award-winningCalifornia-based environmental consulting firm with 550+ professionals andmore than30 years ofdiverseexperience servingclients intransportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors.Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offeringrobustcareer opportunities. We are especially proud of our recentGreat Place to Work®certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and ourteam memberexperiences.

AboutTheRole

Rincon Consultants is seeking a Total Rewards Manager to lead the design, delivery, and continuous evolution of our compensation and benefits programs. This role is both strategic and hands-on—ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of data, systems, and employee experience.

You’ll partner closely with leadership, HR, and cross-functional teams to ensure our total rewards programs are competitive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with our culture and growth strategy.

What Sets You Apart

• You bring a modern, data-driven approach to Total Rewards
• You’ve built or improved scalable compensation processes and systems
• You balance strategic thinking with operational execution
• You communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences

Why This Role Matters

Our Total Rewards Manager plays a critical role in how we attract, retain, and engage talent. You will shape programs that directly impact employee experience while building scalable, modern systems that support a growing organization.

How We Collaborate

While this role may offer flexible work arrangements that can include a mix of in-office and remote work, our changing business needs will ultimately determine our level of remote-work flexibility. Additionally, to promote in-person collaboration and client teaming, we prioritize hiring those who reside within 50 miles of a Rincon office which currently includes: Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

WhatYou’llDo

Compensation Strategy & Programs

• Evolve a market-informed, equitable, and performance-driven compensation philosophy
• Lead pay equity analyses and ensure consistent, fair pay practices
• Manage salary structures, benchmarking, and job architecture
• Design and improve technology-enabled compensation processes (annual + off-cycle)
• Partner with leaders to ensure consistent application of compensation guidelines

Incentive & Recognition

• Oversee bonus, incentive, and recognition programs aligned with performance
• Evaluate program effectiveness and drive improvements

Benefits Strategy & Administration

• Lead administration of health, retirement, and wellness programs
• Manage annual renewals, vendor negotiations, and cost strategy

Vendor & Program Management

• Own relationships with brokers, carriers, and consultants
• Drive performance, service quality, and cost optimization

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and related regulations
• Support audits, reporting, and governance practices

Employee Experience & Communication

• Deliver clear, transparent communication on compensation and benefits
• Serve as a trusted advisor to employees and leaders

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Track metrics on compensation competitiveness, utilization, and ROI
• Use data insights to evolve programs and inform decisions

What You Bring

• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in Total Rewards, Compensation, and/or Benefits
• Strong expertise in compensation program design, benchmarking, and pay equity
• Experience leading benefits renewals and vendor negotiations
• Analytical mindset with experience using HRIS and data tools
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practices
• Experience in professional services or multi-disciplinary environments preferred
• Certifications such as CCP, CBP, or CEBS are a plus

Investing in You

The base salary range for this full-time position is$130,000–$150,000, plus a generous benefits program.Salary ranges are based onthemarket median of similar jobs, according to third-partysalary benchmark surveys.Base pay isdeterminedbased on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offera comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security.Weil benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon onour Culture and Benefits page.

AdditionalEmploymentInformation

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employmentdrug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

Rincon Consultants does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.