Director of Benefits Compensation and Payroll

Director of Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll Job Description

Department: Human Resources Job Status: Full-Time FLSA Status: Salary-Exempt Reports To: Senior VP of HR, Corp Administration Location: The Woodlands, TX Amount of Travel Required: Less than 25% Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Positions Supervised: Benefits and Payroll AIP: Level 4

POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll is a strategic HR leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing total rewards programs that attract, retain, and motivate top talent. This role combines strategic oversight with active, hands-on leadership to ensure day-to-day operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and scalable total rewards programs. The Director oversees the development and administration of compensation structures, benefits offerings, and payroll operations, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and alignment with organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (The following duties and responsibilities are all essential job functions, as

defined by the ADA, except for those that begin with the word "may.")

- Lead, coach, and develop the Benefits, Payroll, and Compensation team to ensure the highest standards of compliance, accuracy, and service delivery are consistently met.

- Establish clear expectations, workflows, and internal controls to maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

- Serve as a hands-on leader who is able to step in and support day-to-day operational needs when necessary, including complex benefits, payroll, or compensation issues.

- Ensure all processes, documentation, and systems are audit-ready and aligned with internal governance standards.

- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team.

- Stay current on evolving benefits, payroll, tax, wage and hour, and compensation regulations to proactively assess organizational impact.

- Monitor emerging total rewards and incentive strategies to identify opportunities that support attraction, retention, and performance.

Compensation:

- Manage competitive compensation strategies, salary structures, and incentive programs .

- Lead annual compensation reviews, market benchmarking, and job evaluations.

- Partner with HRBPs and leadership to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.

- Provide guidance on executive compensation, bonus plans, and long-term incentive programs.

Benefits:

- Provide design recommendations and oversee employee benefits programs including health, wellness, retirement, and leave policies.

- Evaluate vendor performance and manage relationships with brokers, carriers, and consultants.

- Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, HIPAA).

- Partner with Communications to lead benefits communication and education initiatives to enhance employee understanding and engagement.

Payroll:

- Oversee payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing across multiple entities, states and pay structures (hourly, salaried, exempt/non-exempt).

- Ensure compliance with tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and internal controls.

- Collaborate with Finance and HRIS teams to optimize payroll systems and reporting.

- Resolve complex payroll issues, regulatory inquiries and support audits as needed.

- Performs other related duties as assigned to assist with successful operations and business continuity.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

- Successfully passes all applicable general pre-employment testing including but not limited to: background check, pre-employment drug screening, pre-employment fit tests, pre-employment aptitude and/or competency assessment(s).

- Proficiency in spoken English language.

- Position requires in-person, predictable attendance.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE LEVEL

- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field; Master’s degree or relevant certification (e.g., CCP, CBP, SHRM-SCP) preferred.

- 10+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on compensation, benefits, and payroll. - 5+ years in a leadership role managing cross-functional teams.

- Familiarity with Paycom, Oracle, Workday, ADP, or similar platforms, preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, COMPETENCIES, AND ABILITIES

- Employee Relations Expertise: Deep understanding of employee relations strategies, conflict resolution, and workplace investigations.

- Legal & Compliance Knowledge: Strong grasp of federal, state, and local employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, Title VII, NLRA).

- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for handling sensitive conversations and drafting policies.

- Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret data from employee surveys, turnover reports, and investigations to inform strategy.

- Leadership & Influence: Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence senior leaders and drive cultural change.

- Project Management: Skilled in managing multiple initiatives, deadlines, and cross-functional collaboration.

- Problem Solving: Navigate complex employee issues with discretion, fairness, and strategic foresight.

- Empathy & Emotional Intelligence: Build trust and rapport with employees and leaders while maintaining objectivity.

- Decision-Making: Make sound judgments in high-stakes situations involving legal, ethical, and organizational implications.

- Adaptability: Thrive in dynamic environments and adjust strategies based on evolving workforce needs.

- Confidentiality: Handle sensitive information with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequently required to walk, sit, climb, bend, reach and squat/kneel. The Director of Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll works primarily indoors and will be sitting prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities. The Director of Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll may be required to lift heavy objects; therefore, The Director of Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll must be able to lift 25lbs.

Work hours may include early morning, late afternoon/evening hours, and weekends in combination depending on job demands.

AAP /EEO STATEMENT

The Company is committed to the cause of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants, thus abiding by all applicable state and federal laws. Our practices regarding employment, job promotion, compensation, training, and termination do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, national origin, veteran's status, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. It is expected that all employees, both management and staff, will fully support these nondiscriminatory policies.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure essential functions and duties have been included. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities.

Last Revised 1/2026.