Vice President Total Rewards

Motion; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 260,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary

Annual bonus

Equity incentives

Retirement plan

Benefits

Job summary

Motion, an $8.9 billion global industrial distributor, seeks a Vice President, Total Rewards, in Birmingham, AL or Atlanta, GA, to lead compensation, benefits and executive rewards for ~11,500 employees. This pivotal role guides the function through Motion's planned separation from GPC and the transition to independence in 2027.

The leader will shape 2028 benefits strategy, oversee international programs, and partner with senior leadership and the Board on competitive, cost-effective programs

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in Total Rewards, with deep benefits expertise.
• Experience with self-insured health plans, including design, funding, renewals and vendor management.
• Broad experience with compensation programs, including executive compensation, equity, annual and long-term incentives.
• Experience collaborating with senior executives, Board or Compensation Committees, with strong financial/analytical acumen.
• Experience leading teams in complex, matrixed organizations and driving transformation.
• International benefits exposure and Workday familiarity a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead compensation, benefits, and executive rewards for motion's 11,500 employees across multiple countries.
• Oversee self-insured health plans, wellness, retirement, and other benefits with focus on cost, competitiveness and employee experience.
• Direct broad-based and executive compensation, equity, incentives, and recognition programs with leadership and the Board.
• Develop and mentor the Total Rewards team and cross-functional partnerships.
• Ensure continuity through the separation from GPC and transition to Motion's independent systems (Workday).
• Shape the 2028 benefits strategy, including plan design and vendor relationships.
• Maintain governance and compliance with analytics, benchmarking and technology.

Skills

Total Rewards leadership

Self-insured health plans

Executive compensation

Equity programs

Workday experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Workday

Job description

Vice President, Total Rewards for Motion | Birmingham, AL or Atlanta, GA

A Unique Leadership Opportunity at a Pivotal Moment in Motion's History

Handler is partnering with Motion, an $8.9 billion global industrial distributor, to identify its next Vice President, Total Rewards, reporting to the Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer.

As Motion prepares to become an independent, publicly traded company in early 2027, this leader will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of compensation, benefits, and executive rewards for approximately 11,500 employees across five countries. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact at a pivotal moment in Motion's history.

About the Company

Motion is one of North America's largest industrial distributors, providing maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products, including bearings, power transmission, and fluid power components, as well as automation solutions and repair services.

Founded in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1946, Motion operates approximately 700 locations and employs 11,500 people across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. The company generated $8.9 billion in sales in 2025.

A subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company since 1972, Motion is preparing to become an independent, publicly traded company in early 2027.

Why This Role Matters

Motion's planned separation from Genuine Parts Company presents a unique opportunity to lead Total Rewards for a newly independent, publicly traded organization. With 2027 programs already established, this leader will focus on ensuring a seamless transition, strengthening an experienced team, and shaping the company's 2028 benefits strategy.

The role offers the opportunity to influence executive compensation, optimize rewards programs, and position the Total Rewards function to support Motion's continued growth and future acquisitions.

The Ideal Candidate

An accomplished Total Rewards leader with deep expertise in benefits strategy, particularly large, complex self-insured health plans, complemented by broad experience in compensation, executive rewards, and equity programs.

Brings the strategic perspective and operational expertise to lead an established function, navigate organizational change, and ensure programs remain competitive, cost-effective, and aligned with business objectives.

A collaborative, hands-on servant leader who builds trust, develops high-performing teams, partners effectively with senior leadership, and approaches challenges with urgency, sound judgment, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

The Vice President, Total Rewards will lead compensation, benefits, and executive rewards for Motion's approximately 11,500 employees, ensuring continuity through the separation from GPC while advancing competitive, financially sustainable programs that support talent, business performance, and growth.

• Lead benefits strategy, plan design, and vendor management across self-insured health plans, wellness, retirement, and other benefits, balancing cost, competitiveness, and employee experience.
• Oversee broad-based and executive compensation, equity, annual and long-term incentives, and recognition programs in partnership with executive leadership and the Board's Compensation Committee.
• Lead and develop the Total Rewards team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and strong cross-functional partnerships.
• Ensure program continuity through the separation, partnering with HR, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and IT on the transition to Motion's independent Workday environment.
• Develop the 2028 benefits strategy, focusing on plan design, cost management, vendor relationships, and employee value.
• Maintain effective Total Rewards governance and compliance, leveraging financial analysis, market benchmarking, data analytics, and technology.
• Oversee international rewards programs and support compensation and benefits integration for future acquisitions.

Professional Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring extensive Total Rewards leadership experience, combining strategic expertise with a hands-on approach to managing complex programs and leading high-performing teams. Key qualifications include:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in Total Rewards, with deep benefits expertise, within organizations of 3,000+ employees.
• Expertise in self-insured health plans, including plan design, funding, renewals, cost management, and vendor relationships.
• Broad experience with compensation programs, including executive compensation, equity, annual and long-term incentives, and rewards governance; public company experience strongly preferred.
• Experience collaborating with senior executives, Boards, or Compensation Committees, supported by strong financial and analytical acumen.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams within complex, matrixed organizations.
• Experience with organizational transformation, spin-offs, acquisitions, or other significant business changes preferred.
• International benefits exposure and Workday experience a plus.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, or a related field required; master's degree is preferred.

Leadership & Personal Characteristics

• Servant Leader – Prioritizes employee needs, takes ownership of challenges, and demonstrates a genuine commitment to service.
• Collaborator – Builds strong relationships, fosters collaboration, and promotes partnership across the organization.
• Humble – Leads without ego, values others' contributions, and places team success above personal recognition.
• Trusted Advisor – Translates complex Total Rewards information into clear, actionable recommendations for executive leadership.

Motion's culture is built on servant leadership, teamwork, and a first-responder mindset. With nearly half of customer orders unplanned, responding quickly and solving problems is part of the company's DNA.

That same commitment extends internally, where employees support one another and work collaboratively across the organization.

Motion values humility, camaraderie, and a genuine team-first approach, creating an environment where leaders are empowered to make a difference and succeed together.

Motion offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, annual bonus, long-term equity incentives, a supplemental retirement plan, and comprehensive benefits.