Exec Director HR - Rewards; Human Resources

We are seeking an Executive Director HR - Total Rewards who will provide strategic leadership for Johns Hopkins University's compensation and benefits programs. This role will align these programs with the University's mission while enhancing the overall employee experience.

• Design, govern, and communicate competitive and equitable compensation programs that drive candidate attraction, staff retention, internal mobility, and fiscal responsibility.
• Introduce a proactive approach to market benchmarking and internal equity reviews to ensure ongoing visibility into pay competitiveness and fairness across job families and levels.
• Oversee and lead the annual merit increase review process, including planning, analysis, budgeting, and execution to align with compensation strategy and organizational objectives.
• Serve as executive leader for the institution's Career Architecture, ensuring its long‑term sustainability and integration with talent management programs.
• Provide strategic guidance to HR partners and senior stakeholders on compensation structure, job classification, and pay decisions.
• Oversee executive compensation planning and materials preparation for Compensation Committee review.
• Proactively manage review and approvals for family members of Disqualified Persons.
• Operate fluently in Workday, leveraging advanced compensation functionality to optimize salary and bonus planning processes.

• Plan and execute annual benefits renewals across staff, students, and learners, ensuring programs remain competitive and cost‑effective.
• Coordinate budget development, vendor management, and multi‑audience communications.
• Design and administer inclusive, accessible benefits programs that serve the diverse needs of the workforce.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to enhance health, retirement, wellness, work‑life, community‑focused, and voluntary benefits.

• Lead a high‑performing, cross‑functional team across compensation and benefits.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Provide direct mentoring and coaching to team leaders and support professional development.
• Drive alignment between team goals and broader institutional priorities.

• Align Total Rewards strategies with institutional values, workforce needs, and financial realities.
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with other HR functional leaders and staff.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to assess program effectiveness and progress toward strategic goals.
• Collaborate across HR and with key university and health system stakeholders to evolve programs and ensure operational and cultural fit.

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, Analytics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience leading compensation and benefits teams, ideally within large, decentralized institutions or academic/healthcare environments.

• Master's Degree or HR certification (e.g., CCP, CEBS, SHRM‑SCP).
• Well‑versed in executive compensation design and administration, including cash and deferred incentives.
• Deep experience in market benchmarking, compensation compliance, benefits regulations, and data governance best practices.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and communication skills, with the ability to manage large teams through times of rapid change and complexity.
• Experience with Workday HCM, with preferred experience using Advanced Compensation modules for planning and administration.

The expected base pay for this position is $225,000 – $300,000. Total rewards and benefits are available to all eligible employees.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity employer.