Inside Higher Ed
Position Title
Executive Director, Total Rewards
Posting Date 12/19/2025
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Number 1012382
Hiring Range Minimum: $211,000 | Maximum: $263,700
Union Type Not a Union Position
SEIU Level Not an SEIU Position
FLSA Status Exempt
Employment Category Regular Full Time
Schedule This is an on-site leadership role requiring presence in the office 3-4 days per week or more, as business needs dictate.
Scheduled Months Per Year 12
Scheduled Hours Per Week 40
Location Hanover, NH 03755
Remote Work Eligibility Onsite only
Term Position No
Grant Funded No
Position Purpose 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.
Description This role serves as a key collaborator and people leader, fostering excellence, transparency, and innovation across Human Resources.
Required Qualifications – Education and Years of Experience Bachelor’s or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications – Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Twelve plus (12+) years leading compensation and benefits teams, ideally within large, decentralized institutions or academic/healthcare environments.
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.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong quantitative skills and financial acumen; mastery of rewards analytics and modeling.
Relevant certifications preferred: CEBS, SHRM‑SCP, SPHR.
Responsibilities
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. (30%)
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. (20%)
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.
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. (10%)
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.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries Sarah Palmer
Email: spalmer@wittkieffer.com
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title Sara Lester
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
Background Check 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, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Driving Vehicle Requirement Not an essential function.
Special Instructions to Applicants Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, see the policy: https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions Dartmouth has partnered with WittKieffer to assist in this recruitment process. If you are a strong fit for the role, a representative from WittKieffer may reach out to you directly to begin the conversation.
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Posting Date 12/19/2025
Open Until Filled Yes
Position Number 1012382
Hiring Range Minimum: $211,000 | Maximum: $263,700
Union Type Not a Union Position
SEIU Level Not an SEIU Position
FLSA Status Exempt
Employment Category Regular Full Time
Schedule This is an on-site leadership role requiring presence in the office 3-4 days per week or more, as business needs dictate.
Scheduled Months Per Year 12
Scheduled Hours Per Week 40
Location Hanover, NH 03755
Remote Work Eligibility Onsite only
Term Position No
Grant Funded No
Position Purpose 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.
Description This role serves as a key collaborator and people leader, fostering excellence, transparency, and innovation across Human Resources.
Required Qualifications – Education and Years of Experience Bachelor’s or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications – Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Twelve plus (12+) years leading compensation and benefits teams, ideally within large, decentralized institutions or academic/healthcare environments.
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.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong quantitative skills and financial acumen; mastery of rewards analytics and modeling.
Relevant certifications preferred: CEBS, SHRM‑SCP, SPHR.
Responsibilities
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. (30%)
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. (20%)
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.
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. (10%)
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.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries Sarah Palmer
Email: spalmer@wittkieffer.com
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title Sara Lester
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
Background Check 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, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Driving Vehicle Requirement Not an essential function.
Special Instructions to Applicants Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, see the policy: https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions Dartmouth has partnered with WittKieffer to assist in this recruitment process. If you are a strong fit for the role, a representative from WittKieffer may reach out to you directly to begin the conversation.
#J-18808-Ljbffr