About this role
JOB TITLE: Manager, Total Rewards
GRADE LEVEL: Grade 130
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 260 Days 12-Month Contract
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
WORK LOCATION: Talent Office
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Chief Talent Officer
SUMMARY Richmond Public Schools believes that exceptional employees create exceptional outcomes for students. The Manager, Total Rewards serves as the strategic leader responsible for designing and delivering compensation, benefits, and employee rewards programs that attract, retain, and recognize a high-performing workforce. Reporting directly to the Chief Talent Officer, this position leads the division's Total Rewards strategy, supervises the Benefits team, and partners with district leaders to ensure compensation and benefits programs are equitable, competitive, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the division's strategic priorities. The ideal candidate is an innovative leader who thrives on solving complex workforce challenges, building high-performing teams, and continuously improving the employee experience. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Leads the division's Total Rewards strategy, ensuring compensation and benefits programs support the recruitment, retention, and recognition of exceptional employees.
• Serves as a strategic member of the Talent Office leadership team, helping define, advance, and implement division-wide talent initiatives.
• Supervises, coaches, develops, and evaluates the Compensation Coordinator and Benefits Specialists while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and exceptional customer service.
• Develops and administers compensation strategies, salary structures, pay practices, and classification processes that promote equity, competitiveness, and fiscal responsibility.
• Oversees the administration of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, disability, voluntary benefits, and employee leave programs.
• Provides strategic oversight of ADA accommodations, FMLA, workers' compensation, and other leave programs to ensure compliance and a positive employee experience.
• Partners with Finance, Payroll, Labor Relations, Talent Acquisition, and district leaders to develop compensation solutions that support organizational goals.
• Serves as the division's primary advisor on compensation philosophy, salary administration, benefits strategy, and Total Rewards programs.
• Analyzes workforce data, compensation trends, and market conditions to develop recommendations that strengthen the division's ability to compete for top talent.
• Evaluates and continuously improves compensation and benefits programs through innovation, technology, automation, and best practices.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations related to compensation, benefits, wage and hour requirements, and leave administration.
• Cultivates productive relationships with benefits providers, consultants, and external partners to maximize employee value and operational effectiveness.
• Oversees and evaluates the work of assigned personnel by providing coaching, training, and performance feedback to ensure alignment with program goals.
• Represents the Talent Office on cross-functional initiatives, executive projects, and strategic planning efforts.Performs other duties as assigned.
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• Performs other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's degree in Math, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in compensation, benefits, or human resources.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience in public education or another large, complex organization.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
• Professional certification, such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CCP, CBP, or CEBS preferred.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-responsibility environment requiring responsiveness to urgent employee needs.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems, Microsoft Office applications, and workforce analytics tools.
• Frequent collaboration and relationship building across internal teams and with external agencies.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Extensive knowledge of compensation strategy, employee benefits, leave administration, and Total Rewards principles.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions that strengthen recruitment, retention, and employee engagement.
• Strong analytical, organizational, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret workforce data and translate analysis into strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with employees, administrators, and external partners.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Work involves frequent sitting, talking, and hearing, as well as the use of hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment. The employee may occasionally stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop or crouch. Visual acuity is required for reading, preparing documents, viewing a computer screen, and performing administrative functions with accuracy and attention to detail. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in a standard office setting within a school or district administrative environment. The position involves minimal exposure to environmental hazards or physical risks. Tasks are carried out in a climate-controlled workspace with access to necessary technology and resources. The work is detail-oriented and deadline-driven, often involving multiple priorities and frequent interactions with staff, students, families, and community partners. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support meetings or community engagement events. HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access website at: www.rvaschools.net
Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, transcript and license if applicable. Three references names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting, and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment. EOE. START DATE: Based on School Board approval