Director of Benefits Compensation and Payroll

Director of Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll
Job Description
Department: Human Resources
Job Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Salary Exempt
Reports To: Senior VP of HR, Corp Administration
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Amount of Travel Required: Less than 25%
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am – 5pm
Positions Supervised: Benefits and Payroll
AIP: Level 4

POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll is a strategic HR leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing total rewards programs that attract, retain, and motivate top talent. This role combines strategic oversight with active, hands-on leadership to ensure day-to-day operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and scalable total rewards programs. The Director oversees the development and administration of compensation structures, benefits offerings, and payroll operations, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and alignment with organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (The following duties and responsibilities are all essential job functions, as
defined by the ADA, except for those that begin with the word "may.")

• Lead, coach, and develop the Benefits, Payroll, and Compensation team to ensure the highest standards of compliance, accuracy, and service delivery are consistently met.
• Establish clear expectations, workflows, and internal controls to maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Serve as a hands-on leader who is able to step in and support day-to-day operational needs when necessary, including complex benefits, payroll, or compensation issues.
• Ensure all processes, documentation, and systems are audit-ready and aligned with internal governance standards.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team.
• Stay current on evolving benefits, payroll, tax, wage and hour, and compensation regulations to proactively assess organizational impact.
• Monitor emerging total rewards and incentive strategies to identify opportunities that support attraction, retention, and performance.
Compensation:
• Manage competitive compensation strategies, salary structures, and incentive programs .
• Lead annual compensation reviews, market benchmarking, and job evaluations.
• Partner with HRBPs and leadership to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Provide guidance on executive compensation, bonus plans, and long-term incentive programs.
Benefits:
• Provide design recommendations and oversee employee benefits programs including health, wellness, retirement, and leave policies.
• Evaluate vendor performance and manage relationships with brokers, carriers, and consultants.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, HIPAA).
• Partner with Communications to lead benefits communication and education initiatives to enhance employee understanding and engagement.
Payroll:
• Oversee payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing across multiple entities, states and pay structures (hourly, salaried, exempt/non-exempt).
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and internal controls.
• Collaborate with Finance and HRIS teams to optimize payroll systems and reporting.
• Resolve complex payroll issues, regulatory inquiries and support audits as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to assist with successful operations and business continuity.