Executive Director, Rewards

Position Information

Posting Date: 12/19/2025

Open Until Filled:
Yes

Position Number: 1012382

Position Title:

Executive Director, Total Rewards

Hiring Range Minimum: $211,000

Hiring Range Maximum: $263,700

Union Type:
Not a Union Position

SEIU Level: Not an SEIU Position

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Employment Category:
Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months Per Year: 12

Scheduled Hours Per Week: 40

Schedule:

This is an on-site leadership role requiring presence in the office 3-4 days per week or more, as business needs dictate.

Location:

Hanover, NH 03755

Remote Work Eligibility:
Onsite only

Term Position:
No

Grant Funded:
No

The Executive Director of Total Rewards is a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting the governance of a comprehensive total rewards strategy that attracts, motivates, and retains top talent. This role oversees compensation, benefits, and well-being programs, aligning them with objectives, financial goals, and Dartmouth’s culture. The Executive Director partners closely with campus leaders to ensure market competitiveness, financial stability, and compliance.

• 30% of time:
  Define, implement, and evolve a multi-year total rewards strategy and roadmap encompassing health and well-being benefits, retirement benefits, compensation, rewards, and leave programs aligned to institutional goals and responsive to changing market conditions, budgetary realities, and Dartmouth’s competitive position.
• 20% of time:
  Manage and evaluate external consultants and vendors—working collaboratively with leadership to set expectations, negotiate competitive rates, and monitor performance—while retaining accountability for meeting deadlines, managing expenses, and ensuring quality outcomes.
• 10% of time:
  Advise HR and Dartmouth leadership and the College Benefits Council (CBC) and Retirement Plan Governance Committee (RPGC) on strategic Total Rewards initiatives and programs. Partner with senior leadership on plan designs, compensation strategy, compliance initiatives, and employee communications.
• Remaining time:
  Lead a high-performing, cross-functional team fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Provide direct mentoring and coaching, supporting professional development and cross-functional collaboration. Drive alignment between team goals and broader institutional priorities.
• Ensures compliance with all state and federal regulations governing benefit and retirement plans.
• Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Education:
  
  Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience:
  
  Twelve plus (12+) years leading compensation and benefits teams, ideally within large, decentralized institutions or academic/healthcare environments.
• Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:
  Excellence in stakeholder management and executive presence;
  Exceptional leadership, coaching, and communication skills, with the ability to manage large teams through times of change and complexity.

• Strong quantitative skills and financial acumen; mastery of rewards analytics and modeling.
• Relevant certifications preferred: CEBS, SHRM‑SCP, SPHR.

Name:
Sarah Palmer

Email:

Name:
Sara Lester

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications,…