Vice President, Compensation & Benefits

Virtus; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 175,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Virtus Investment Partners in Hartford, CT seeks a Vice President, Compensation and Benefits to provide leadership over total rewards, including base pay, benefits, payroll, and executive compensation programs. The role reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer and partners with senior leaders to maintain competitive programs aligned with business goals.

The position leads a team, ensures governance and cost-effectiveness, and supports materials for the Compensation Committee.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 8+ years in compensation, benefits, or total rewards in financial services.
• Experience coaching and leading professional staff.
• Knowledge of base compensation, benchmarking, incentive plans, and governance.
• Executive compensation exposure is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute total rewards strategy across compensation, benefits, and payroll.
• Lead and develop compensation and benefits professionals in a data-driven environment.
• Oversee base pay, annual planning, benchmarking, salary structures, and governance.
• Partner with senior leaders on compensation decisions and organizational changes.
• Support executive compensation activities and materials for the Compensation Committee.
• Govern health, retirement, and wellbeing programs and payroll controls.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, ERISA, and pay transparency.

Skills

People management

Analytical skills

Executive communication

Strategic partnership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

CCP / CEBS or advanced credentials valued

Job description

Virtus is dedicated to the success of employees and helping everyone on our team achieve their goals.

We are a dynamic, fast-growing organization with the resources of a large firm and the innovative environment of an entrepreneurial company that promotes collaboration and employee engagement. Every member of our team is empowered to make a tangible impact in offering clients high-quality investment strategies to meet their financial needs and delivering value for our shareholders.

We are an organization where employees can thrive personally and professionally. Professional development opportunities help employees enhance their skills and grow in their careers. Meaningful financial rewards and a comprehensive package of benefits support employees at every stage of life and encourage work-life balance, and physical, emotional and mental well-being.

We believe in the value of a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment and are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.

Benefits and Wellness

At Virtus, we believe that supporting our employees goes beyond the workplace. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, personal growth, and work-life balance. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning on your first day of employment, a 401(k) plan with a competitive company match and immediate vesting, company-paid life and disability insurance, supplemental insurance options, and a Health Savings Account with company contributions. Employees also have access to Flexible Spending Accounts, including Dependent Care FSA, a wellness program, tuition reimbursement, a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, adoption assistance, paid family care time, and paid volunteer days, helping you thrive both professionally and personally.

Job Description

Virtus Investment Partners is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. We combine the resources of a larger organization with the innovative environment of an entrepreneurial company, creating a collaborative workplace where employees are encouraged to take initiative, contribute ideas, and make a meaningful impact. Our culture values performance, integrity, innovation, and the professional growth and well-being of our employees.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Vice President, Compensation and Benefits to provide leadership and strategic oversight across compensation, benefits, payroll, and broader total rewards programs.

Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this role is an opportunity for an accomplished compensation and benefits professional to step into broader leadership responsibility while partnering closely with senior executives, Human Resources, Finance, and business leaders.

The Vice President will lead and develop an experienced team, provide subject matter expertise across total rewards, and help ensure programs remain competitive, well governed, cost effective, and aligned with the organization’s talent and business objectives.This role will be based in our Hartford, CT office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Chief Human Resources Officer to develop and execute the organization’s total rewards strategy across compensation, benefits, and payroll.

• Lead, coach, and develop compensation and benefits professionals while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and data-driven team environment.

• Provide strategic oversight of base compensation, annual compensation planning, market benchmarking, salary structures, incentive programs, job design, and compensation governance.

• Partner with senior leaders, Human Resources, and Finance on compensation decisions, incentive plans, organizational changes, and other business and talent needs.

• Support executive compensation activities, including equity and incentive programs and the development of materials and analysis for the Compensation Committee.

• Oversee health and welfare, retirement, nonqualified, and wellbeing programs, including evaluation of program competitiveness, effectiveness, and cost.

• Provide leadership oversight of payroll, ensuring appropriate controls, approvals, and effective administration.

• Leverage market data and analytics to inform compensation and benefits recommendations and identify emerging trends.

• Maintain appropriate compliance and governance across total rewards programs, including applicable requirements related to FLSA, ERISA, and pay transparency.

• Manage relationships with key brokers, consultants, retirement providers, and other external partners.

• Provide compensation and benefits guidance for international employees and support due diligence and planning associated with acquisitions and other strategic initiatives.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; CCP, CEBS, an advanced degree, or comparable professional credentials are valued but not required.

• Approximately 8+ years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, or total rewards, with meaningful compensation expertise within the financial services sector.

• Demonstrated people-management experience, including the ability to coach, develop, and lead professional-level employees.

• Experience with compensation planning, market benchmarking, salary structures, incentive compensation, and job evaluation.

• Working knowledge of employee benefits and retirement programs and related governance requirements.

• Exposure to executive compensation, equity programs, executive-level compensation discussions, or Compensation Committee materials is strongly preferred. Direct ownership of all areas is not required.

• Ability to effectively partner with senior leaders, Finance, Legal, Human Resources colleagues, and external advisors.

• Strong analytical, communication, judgment, and executive presentation skills.

• Collaborative, hands-on leadership style with the ability to balance strategic priorities with effective execution.

The base salary range is $175,000 to $215,000.

The starting salary offer will vary based on the applicant’s education, experience, skills, abilities, geographic location, internal equity, and alignment with market data. This position is also eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan.