Executive Director, Rewards

Position Details

Schedule:

This is an on-site leadership role requiring presence in the office 3-4 days per week or more, as business needs dictate.

Posting Date: 12/19/2025

Open Until Filled:
Yes

Position Number: 1012382

Position Title:

Executive Director, Total Rewards

Hiring Range Minimum: $211,000

Hiring Range Maximum: $263,700

Union Type:
Not a Union Position

SEIU Level: Not an SEIU Position

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Employment Category:
Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months Per Year: 12

Scheduled Hours Per Week: 40

Location of Position:
Hanover, NH 03755

Remote Work Eligibility?:
Onsite only

Is this a term position?:
No

Is this a grant funded position?:
No

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.

This role serves as a key collaborator and people leader, fostering excellence, transparency, and innovation across Human Resources.

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

• 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.

• Strong quantitative skills and financial acumen; mastery of rewards analytics and modeling.
• Relevant certifications preferred: CEBS, SHRM‑SCP, SPHR.

Department Contact For Recruitment Inquiries:
Sarah Palmer

Department Contact Phone Number:

Department Contact For Cover Letter And

Title:

Sara Lester

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.

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.

Is Driving a Vehicle An Essential Function Of This Job?:
Not an essential function

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, please see our policy. (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-policy

Additional Instructions:
Dartmouth has partnered with Witt Kieffer to assist in this recruitment process. If you’re a strong fit for the role, a representative from Witt Kieffer may reach out to you directly to begin the conversation.

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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…