Executive Director, Total Rewards
Company:
Dartmouth College
Job Location:
Category:
Human Resources
Type:
Full-Time
Posting date
12/19/2025
Open Until Filled
Yes
Position Number
1012382
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
Schedule
This is an on-site leadership role requiring presence in the office 3-4 days per week or more, as business needs dictate.
Location of Position
Hanover, NH 03755
Remote Work Eligibility?
Onsite only
Is this a term position?
No
Is this a grant funded position?
No
Position Purpose
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.
Description
This role serves as a key collaborator and people leader, fostering excellence, transparency, and innovation across Human Resources.
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Sarah Palmer
Department Contact Phone Number
spalmer@wittkieffer.com
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Sara Lester
Equal Opportunity Employer
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.
Background Check
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 (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Not an essential function
Special Instructions to Applicants
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. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions
Dartmouth has partnered with WittKieffer to assist in this recruitment process. If you're a strong fit for the role, a representative from WittKieffer may reach out to you directly to begin the conversation.
Quick Link
https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/84199
Description
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 Dartmouth's competitive position.
Percentage Of Time
30
Description
Manage and evaluate external consultants and vendors-working collaboratively with leadership to set expectations, negotiate competitive rates, and monitor performance-while retaining accountability for meeting deadlines, managing expenses, and ensuring quality outcomes.
Percentage Of Time
20
Description
Advise HR and Dartmouth leadership and the College Benefits Council (CBC) and Retirement Plan Governance Committee (RPGC) on strategic Total Rewards initiatives and programs. Partner with senior leadership on plan designs, compensation strategy, compliance initiatives, and employee communications.
Percentage Of Time
20
Description
Lead a high-performing, cross-functional team fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Provide direct mentoring and coaching, supporting professional development and cross-functional collaboration. Drive alignment between team goals and broader institutional priorities.
Percentage Of Time
20
Description
Ensures compliance with all state and federal regulations governing benefit and retirement plans.
Percentage Of Time
10
*
Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
*
Performs other duties as assigned
12/19/2025
Open Until Filled
Yes
Position Number
1012382
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
Schedule
This is an on-site leadership role requiring presence in the office 3-4 days per week or more, as business needs dictate.
Location of Position
Hanover, NH 03755
Remote Work Eligibility?
Onsite only
Is this a term position?
No
Is this a grant funded position?
No
Position Purpose
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.
Description
This role serves as a key collaborator and people leader, fostering excellence, transparency, and innovation across Human Resources.
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- 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.
Sarah Palmer
Department Contact Phone Number
spalmer@wittkieffer.com
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Sara Lester
Equal Opportunity Employer
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.
Background Check
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 (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Not an essential function
Special Instructions to Applicants
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. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
Additional Instructions
Dartmouth has partnered with WittKieffer to assist in this recruitment process. If you're a strong fit for the role, a representative from WittKieffer may reach out to you directly to begin the conversation.
Quick Link
https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/84199
Description
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 Dartmouth's competitive position.
Percentage Of Time
30
Description
Manage and evaluate external consultants and vendors-working collaboratively with leadership to set expectations, negotiate competitive rates, and monitor performance-while retaining accountability for meeting deadlines, managing expenses, and ensuring quality outcomes.
Percentage Of Time
20
Description
Advise HR and Dartmouth leadership and the College Benefits Council (CBC) and Retirement Plan Governance Committee (RPGC) on strategic Total Rewards initiatives and programs. Partner with senior leadership on plan designs, compensation strategy, compliance initiatives, and employee communications.
Percentage Of Time
20
Description
Lead a high-performing, cross-functional team fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Provide direct mentoring and coaching, supporting professional development and cross-functional collaboration. Drive alignment between team goals and broader institutional priorities.
Percentage Of Time
20
Description
Ensures compliance with all state and federal regulations governing benefit and retirement plans.
Percentage Of Time
10
*
Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
*
Performs other duties as assigned
