Director of Total Rewards

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Analysis Skills, Benchmarking, Budgeting, Business Administration, Coaching, Communication Skills, Compensation Analysis, Compensation Management, Compensation and Benefits, Cost Analysis, Data Sets, Employee Retention, Employment Law, Federal Laws and Regulations, Financial Analysis, Financial Compliance, Human Resources, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Market Analysis, Market Trend Analysis, Operational Strategy, Organizational Skills, Policy Implementation, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Pricing, Problem Solving Skills, Program Evaluation, Project/Program Management, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Return on Investment (ROI), SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources), Service Delivery, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), State Laws and Regulations, Strategic Analysis, Strategic Planning, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Sustainability, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Time Management, Vendor/Supplier Management, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Workforce Planning
LOCATION
Nashville, TN
POSTED
16 days ago

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title Director of Total Rewards Division Human Resources Department Human Resources Number of hours per week 37.5 Days to be worked Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Months per year Fiscal (12 months) If modified, list months Job Type Full-Time Campus If other location, please indicate Position Number 006670 Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience and qualifications. Pay Basis Monthly Job Description

The Director of Total Rewards provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's compensation and benefits programs and functions. This role develops and executes a comprehensive total rewards strategy that supports workforce planning, financial sustainability, and the university's ability to attract and retain top talent. The Director serves as an advisor to executive leadership and ensures programs are competitive, equitable, transparent, and compliant.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), the Director partners closely with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Benefits, Payroll and other stakeholders to deliver a high-quality, responsive, and efficient HR service delivery model.

  • Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning: Develop and execute comprehensive total rewards strategies (compensation, benefits, equity).

Compensation Management: Oversee salary structures, merit planning, and job architecture.

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Benefits Oversight: Manage health, welfare, and retirement programs.

Market Analysis & Compliance: Monitor market trends to ensure pay competitiveness and ensure compliance with employment laws.

Vendor Management: Cultivate and manage relationships with vendors and consultants to maximize ROI on total rewards.

Leadership & Collaboration: Collaborate with senior leadership to align rewards with business objectives.

Project Management: (Re)design and implement policies, pay structures, procedures for job evaluations and reclassifications, etc.

  • The ideal candidate will possess:

Advanced knowledge of compensation strategy, job evaluation methodologies, salary structures, market pricing, and pay equity principles.

Knowledge of federal and state laws governing compensation and benefits, including FLSA, Equal Pay Act, Title VII, ADA, and related regulations.

Understanding of integrated total rewards programs, including compensation, benefits, incentives, and recognition. Experience interpreting compensation survey data and labor market trends (e.g., CUPA-HR, Mercer, Salary.com).

Strong financial acumen to assess program costs, budget impact, and long-term sustainability.

Advanced analytical skills with the ability to evaluate complex datasets and develop actionable insights.

Demonstrated leadership skills, including team management, coaching, and development of HR professionals.

Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information to executive audiences.

Ability to guide organizational change related to pay structures, workforce planning, or program redesign.

Ability to address sensitive pay issues, resolve disputes, and recommend solutions that balance equity, compliance, and fiscal constraints.

Strong relationship-building skills and ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, including leadership experience in compensation, benefits, or total rewards.
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in HR, Business, or related field.
  • Professional certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR).
  • Strong analytical skills for market benchmarking and pay analysis.
  • Extensive knowledge of compensation and benefit regulations.
  • Project management, leadership, and communication skills.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University.

Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire.

An unofficial transcript may be attached in the "Transcript" section.

You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.

Open Date 06/02/2026 Close Date 06/15/2026 Job Category Administrative/Professional Requisition Number Benefits

Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.

Quick Link https://jobs.tnstate.edu/postings/10735

Reference Letter

References

Minimum References Required 2 Recommendation Deadline

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

  • CV/Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Transcript 1

Optional Documents

  • Other

About the Company

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Tennessee State University