Director, Total Rewards & HR Systems (2026-0249)

Job Title: Director, Total Rewards & HR Systems

Req:

Location: VMC Main Campus, Renton, WA

Department: Human Resources

Type: Full Time

FTE: 1

Hours: Monday through Friday as needed to meet business needs.

Reports To: SVP, Chief People and Experiences Officer

Job Overview

The Director, Total Rewards and HR Systems champions and operationalizes the organization-wide strategy, design, and administration of compensation, benefits, and HRIS programs. This role ensures market competitiveness, internal equity, regulatory compliance, and disciplined financial stewardship across all total reward programs, while providing oversight of HR systems, compensation, benefits, and retirement plans. The Director partners with HR, Finance, Labor Relations, and executive leadership to support workforce planning, governance, and operational excellence. This position also leads and develops a team of total rewards and HR systems professionals in addition to establishing standards, internal controls, and processes that support effective and compliant workforce operations.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, required. Master's degree preferred. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of some education.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive Human Resources experience with significant focus on compensation, benefits, and total rewards, preferably in a healthcare environment, including at least five (5) years of experience in leadership, required.
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP/SCP), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) certification, preferred.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of compensation, benefits, and HRIS programs, including market trends, benchmarking, plan design, governance, disclosures, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations (e.g., ACA, HIPAA).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data, assess risk, and develop sound, strategic recommendations aligned with organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop compensation, benefits, and HRIS professionals while fostering accountability, collaboration, and respect.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization and provide clear, thoughtful guidance— including the ability to set boundaries or decline requests in a manner that educates stakeholders, reinforces principles, and strengthens long‑term partnerships.
• Demonstrated strength in communication, presentation, and stakeholder management.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects simultaneously, maintain confidentiality, ensure accuracy, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment with competing demands.

Unique Physical/Mental Demands, Environment and Working Conditions

Requires prolonged periods of sitting and prolonged exposure to a computer monitor and keyboarding. Requires planning, organizing, and working on multiple tasks at one time. Requires the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and management team members.

Performance Responsibilities

Generic Job Functions: See Generic Job Description for Director

Essential Responsibilities And Competencies

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of VMC's total rewards program including comprehensive compensation programs for non‑union and union‑represented employees, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy, labor agreements, and market competitiveness.
• Oversee salary administration, job evaluations, pay adjustments, incentive programs, and contractually required pay practices while monitoring internal equity to attract and retain top talent.
• Partner closely with Finance on compensation planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Establish and maintain governance frameworks, policies, internal controls, and compliance programs for compensation, benefits, and retirement plans in accordance with federal and state regulations (e.g., ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, wage, and hour laws).
• Provide strategic guidance on industry trends, market best practices, and evolving regulations in compensation and benefits.
• Analyze workforce data, including retention, turnover, compensation trends, benefit utilization, and translate insights into strategic recommendations to optimize programs and organizational performance.
• Partner with Labor Relations, Finance, Payroll, and HR leadership to administer union wage structures, step progressions, premiums, negotiated changes, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with Payroll to ensure accurate and timely administration of compensation, benefits, and all employee lifecycle transactions.
• Lead strategic design and operational oversight of health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, wellness, and retirement programs, ensuring accuracy, vendor coordination, and timely resolution of complex issues.
• Ensure benefits offerings are inclusive and accessible to all employees, while balancing competitiveness, affordability, and financial stewardship.
• Manage third‑party administrators, stop‑loss carriers, consultants, and retirement recordkeepers to ensure service excellence, contractual compliance, and fiduciary oversight, including 401(k)/403(b) committee coordination.
• Develop and execute communication strategies that articulate compensation and benefits philosophy, program changes, and policies to leaders, employees, and union stakeholders.
• Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial targets.
• Lead and develop compensation, benefits, and HR Systems professionals, fostering accountability, collaboration, and respect.
• Provide executive oversight of HR Systems operations, employee lifecycle processes, data accuracy, and operational integrity to minimize risk and ensure compliance and service continuity.
• Establish service delivery standards, escalation protocols, and business continuity procedures to support uninterrupted HR systems and patient care operations.
• Work closely with Finance, Payroll, and IT to ensure data integrity, consistency, and alignment across systems.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and steady resource to leaders and employees on total reward matters, reinforcing trust through clear guidance, consistent processes, and thoughtful communication.
• Facilitate and serve as staff lead to advisory committees (e.g., Benefits Advisory Committee), providing governance oversight, financial stewardship, and strategic decision support.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Partner with HR Systems and IT teams to establish system governance, data standards, and prioritization of enhancements supporting Total Rewards initiatives.
• Ensure HR Systems capabilities align with organization Total Rewards strategy and regulatory requirements.
• Establish business processes to support efficient and scalable Total Rewards operations within HRIS.

Created: 6/23

Revised: 2/26

Grade: NC-16

FLSA: E

Cost Center: 8650

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