Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading nonprofit membership organization, research center, and publisher, with headquarters in New York, an office in Washington, DC, and programs nationwide. It is dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. CFR's 5,000+ members are leaders in international affairs and foreign policy. CFR also publishes Foreign Affairs, the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website, CFR.org.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the newly created Director, Total Rewards is responsible for the ongoing evaluation and administration of a comprehensive total rewards program that aligns with CFR’s organizational priorities. This position will manage all benefits and wellness programs, leave of absences, COBRA, and voluntary benefits for CFR. The Director, Total Rewards will be expected to keep a pulse on industry best practices and trends, considering solutions for CFR’s current and future organizational needs. The Director, Total Rewards will ensure the offerings are in compliance with relevant federal, state and city regulations.

As the function transitions from benefits to a more holistic total rewards team, the Director will work with the rest of the HR leadership, Communications, and other key stakeholders to lead change management around communicating CFR’s employee value proposition, both internally and externally.  The Director, Total Rewards will be responsible for providing a macro view of offerings, working closely with the Director, Talent and Compensation, on compensation management to ensure CFR can attract and retain top talent. In addition, the Director, Total Rewards will partner closely with the Director, HR Systems & People Analytics to ensure systems are effectively supporting HR processes and relevant data are being collected to help drive decisions.

The Director, Total Rewards will oversee a team of three employees, split between the NY and DC offices.

• Oversee employee benefits programs, including health, wellness, retirement, and other fringe benefits
• Assess current offerings; works with CHRO to develop and implement a total rewards strategy, aligned with organizational goals and industry benchmarks
• Ensure CFR’s offerings are meeting needs of employees and are cost effective, through regular analysis and research, reviewing demographics and usage of offerings
• Manage and develop relationships with broker, service providers and other relevant vendors, ensuring offerings are fulfilling strategic goals. Understands high level of questions and feedback from staff, serving as liaison when there are elevated concerns
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to benefits, including ERISA, ACA, and other relevant laws.
• Oversee leave management, working with the rest of the total rewards team to provide excellent customer service to all staff. Keep abreast of relevant employment laws and ensure CFR is in compliance
• Partner with cross-functional teams to build and refine processes, such as payroll and position control; handbook updates and other policy rollouts
• Manage calendar of annual events and processes to communicate with staff, such as end of year reminders, open enrollment, etc.
• Manage budget for annual salary increases and open enrollment, costing scenarios in a timely manner for potential changes to total rewards offerings
• Assists with manager compliance training for CFR people managers and other topics as required
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required

Experience

• 7+ years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated experience leading a benefits or total rewards team
• History of managing retirement plans, ensuring compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regulations
• Experience with budgeting compensation annual review processes
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS) preferred

Related Skills & Other Requirements 

• Strong knowledge of compliance, employee laws, and regulations
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to effectively present complex data and recommendations
• A proactive, process-improvement mindset
  

• Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $155,000 – $175,000 depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, the Council on Foreign Relations offers a benefits package that is among the best offered by nonprofit institutions today, including an award-winning health and wellness program, an on-site fitness center, and generous leave policies and health insurance programs.

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.

The Council on Foreign Relations is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks candidates from a diverse background.