Associate Deputy Chief, Rewards

Associate Deputy Chief, Total Rewards

• Higher Education
• Dallas, Texas
• Full Time

Job Title: Associate Deputy Chief, Total Rewards

Location: Dallas, TX (On-site);
Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer

We are seeking a strategic and results‑driven Associate Deputy Chief of Total Rewards to lead the design, implementation, and administration of comprehensive compensation programs, including general compensation, executive compensation, and incentive‑based pay structures. This executive leadership role ensures that total rewards strategies are competitive, fiscally responsible, compliant, and aligned with the institution's long‑term goals. The Associate Deputy Chief will provide strategic direction for executive compensation plans, salary structures, annual merit processes, incentive pay programs, and other total rewards initiatives that support the organization's strategic goals and workforce needs.

This leader will play a pivotal role in shaping the institution's compensation philosophy and ensuring that total rewards programs drive employee engagement, retention, and organizational excellence. Working closely with senior leadership, HR, and finance teams, the Associate Deputy Chief will oversee competitive and equitable compensation practices that position the organization as an employer of choice, ensuring that compensation strategies effectively attract, retain, and reward top talent across the organization.

• Lead the strategy, design, and execution of general compensation, executive compensation, and incentive‑based pay programs.
• Ensure market‑competitive, internally equitable, and legally compliant compensation structures at all levels.
• Develop and oversee executive compensation plans, ensuring compliance with regulatory and governance requirements.
• Drive annual merit, pay‑for‑performance, and incentive compensation strategies in alignment with institutional goals.
• Conduct executive‑level compensation benchmarking and analysis, ensuring the institution remains competitive in higher education and the broader market.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding compensation, including FLSA, DOL, and IRS guidelines.
• Partner with legal, finance, and board representatives to ensure governance and risk management in compensation programs.
• Establish total rewards policies, governance frameworks, and compensation guidelines to maintain consistency and fairness.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CHRO, executive leadership team, and Board of Trustees on compensation and incentive programs.
• Lead compensation review and analysis for executive roles and provide recommendations for senior leadership pay adjustments.
• Present compensation program insights, trends, and recommendations to senior executives, Board committees, and governance bodies.
• Build and lead a high‑performing Total Rewards team, fostering expertise in compensation strategy, executive pay, and incentive structures.
• Oversee HR technology platforms, (Workday, Service Now) for compensation planning and analytics, ensuring seamless integration with HR operations.
• Utilize data analytics and compensation modeling to inform strategic workforce planning and decision‑making.

• Proven expertise in designing and executing comprehensive total rewards strategies that align with enterprise‑wide objectives and drive organizational performance.
• Deep knowledge of executive pay structures, incentive plans, market benchmarking, and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and competitive positioning.
• Strategic experience in developing and optimizing short‑ and long‑term incentive programs that align with business goals and reward performance.
• Advanced…