Sr. Manager, Rewards & HR Site Lead

Job Title

Sr. Manager, Total Rewards & HR Site Lead

G&H (Gooch & Housego)

Rochester, NY

Full‑time

G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. The company provides optical systems, assemblies and components for demanding applications worldwide and is recognized as a preferred source for OEMs in life sciences, industrial, aerospace and defense. The company has a long history of quality and excellence dating back over 75 years.

The Senior Manager, Total Rewards & HR Site Lead plays a dual role: leading global compensation and benefits programs while serving as the on‑site HR representative for Rochester, NY. The role requires strong analytical capability, judgment, multi‑state compliance awareness and the ability to balance strategic planning with hands‑on execution.

• Total Rewards (Compensation & Benefits)
  • Design and maintain compensation structures, global job frameworks, salary bands, and leveling methodologies that support organizational growth.
  • Conduct role evaluations, compensation placement, job benchmarking, and internal equity audits; advise leaders on offers, promotions, and pay adjustments.
  • Administer the annual merit and bonus cycle, including modeling, budgeting, data validation, and communication materials for managers and employees.
  • Lead the development and administration of short‑term incentive plans; evaluate eligibility, metrics, plan governance, and ROI.
  • Conduct market benchmarking (multi‑state and global) using external tools/vendors; recommend pay adjustments based on market movement, retention risk, and performance alignment.
  • Partner with HR, Finance, and Executive leadership to forecast compensation and benefit costs and evaluate financial impact.
  • Manage U.S. benefits (health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, wellness), and collaborate with global HR for UK/local statutory benefits.
  • Lead annual renewals, open enrollment, and benefit program analysis; recommend plan design changes to improve value and cost efficiency.
  • Manage brokers and benefit vendors, negotiate service terms, monitor service delivery, ensure compliance, and track utilization trends.
  • Evaluate and introduce programs that support employee well‑being, mental health, retention, and total reward value.
  • Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, FLSA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS requirements, and multi‑state employment laws.
  • Establish documentation, record‑keeping standards, and audit controls for compensation and benefits.
  • Lead pay equity reviews, reporting, and remediation recommendations.
  • Develop clear employee and manager tools (guides, FAQs, training, compensation tools).
  • Track, analyze, and report performance and utilization of total rewards programs; propose actionable improvements.
  • Align deliverables to G&H values: customer focus, integrity, action, unity, precision – with continuous improvement behavior expected.
• HR Site Lead – Rochester, NY
  • Serve as primary point of contact for Rochester employees and leadership on employment matters, HR procedures, policy interpretation, and employee relations.
  • Take ownership of internal investigations, performance issues, documentation, and escalations; partner with legal and HR leadership where appropriate.
  • Provide coaching to managers on employee development, disciplinary actions, and performance optimization.
  • Lead site‑level engagement initiatives, corporate training, communication efforts, and local employee events that reinforce our values and support a positive work environment.
  • Coordinate site engagement surveys and action planning; track engagement metrics, communication effectiveness, and follow‑through progress.
  • Support the creation and sustainability of a positive, safe, collaborative, and inclusive workplace culture aligned with company values.
  • Facilitate goal‑setting, performance reviews, calibration, and development planning processes at the site.
  • Support training and development programs; advise leaders on succession planning and skill development needs.
  • Assist with headcount planning, staffing strategies, and workforce analytics in partnership with Talent Acquisition and business leaders.
  • Pro…