Assistant Department Director - Total Rewards

Work, Serve, Thrive.  With the City of Durham   
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

The City of Durham has retained POLIHIRE to assist with the recruitment and selection of its next Assistant Department Director for Total Rewards. For immediate consideration, interested candidates should go to [email protected].  

Salary Midpoint: $150,366
Work Days/Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm

The City of Durham's Human Resources Department is an accomplished, diverse, energetic team embracing and inspiring the joy of public service. We aggressively challenge assumptions of what is possible, moving towards a future that is more just, productive and rewarding for all employees. Join us if you're ready to share your talents, learn new skills and build relationships in service to the City of Durham!  

The Human Resources Department serves approximately 2,800 employees across 26 departments. The department is in a period of significant transformation, including the implementation and stabilization of a new enterprise HCM platform, a restructured service delivery model, and a renewed focus on operational excellence.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Department Director for Total Rewards directs the design, administration, and continuous improvement of the City’s compensation, classification, and employee benefits and wellness programs serving approximately 2,800 employees across 26 departments. With 6 - 8 direct reports, the Assistant Director ensures the City’s total rewards strategy attracts, retains, and motivates a high-performing workforce while maintaining regulatory compliance and fiscal responsibility. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this position serves as a key member of the HR leadership team and partners closely with Budget Management Services, Finance, and department leadership to align total rewards programs with organizational priorities.

In alignment with the responsibilities of this position, the duties of the Assistant Department Director for Total Rewards span four main categories:

DIVISION MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of the Benefits and Compensation & Classification functions, including direct supervision of division managers and professional staff. 
• Manage division operating budgets, vendor contracts, and RFP processes for benefits and compensation-related services. 
• Present to City Council, make public presentations, and represent HR in cross-functional committees, working groups, and task forces. 
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, RFPs, actuaries, consultants, and third-party administrators supporting benefits and compensation programs.

BENEFITS & TOTAL REWARDS ADMINISTRATION

• Direct administration of employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, deferred compensation, flexible spending, and wellness programs. 
• Manage annual benefits open enrollment, vendor negotiations, and plan design recommendations. 
• Develop and deliver employee communications and education regarding total rewards programs, including new-hire orientation and open enrollment materials.

COMPENSATION, CLASSIFICATION, & COMPLIANCE

• Oversee the City’s compensation plan structure, including open-range plans for general government employees and step plans for sworn public safety positions. 
• Lead classification studies, position reclassifications, and market salary surveys. Serve as a resource to department directors and managers on compensation philosophy, pay equity, and benefits interpretation. 
• Develop compensation and benefits recommendations consistent with organizational policies and applicable regulations. 
• Monitor federal, state, and local regulatory requirements—including ACA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, FLSA, ERISA, and IRS requirements—and ensure compliance across total rewards programs. 
• Partner with HRIS to ensure accurate configuration and reporting of benefits and compensation data within Oracle HCM Cloud.

FINANCIAL PLANNING & BUDGET MANAGEMENT

• Prepare total rewards analyses, cost projections, and recommendations for the CHRO, City Manager’s Office, and elected officials. 
• Oversee development of FY pay option scenarios, and collaborate with Budget Management Services on compensation-related budget impacts. 
• Manage division operating budgets and financial implications of benefits and compensation programs.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, business administration, Finance, or a directly related field.
• Nine (9) years of demonstrated progressively responsible human resources experience in at least two related operational functions.
• Five (5) years of supervisory or management experience.

The ideal candidate will have the following credentials, experience, and knowledge: 

• Master’s degree in HR, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field. 
• Professional certification, such as SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CCP (Certified Compensation Professional), or CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist). 
• Experience administering compensation and benefits programs for a workforce of 2,000+ employees. 
• Demonstrated experience with Oracle HCM Cloud or comparable enterprise HRIS/ERP platform. 
• Experience with self-funded medical plan management and vendor negotiations. 
• Knowledge of North Carolina Local Government Employee Retirement System (LGERS) or similar public retirement systems.