Executive Director, Total Rewards & HR Operations

POSITION OVERVIEW:The Executive Director, Total Rewards & HR Operations is a strategic and operational leader responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing compensation, benefits, HR systems, and employee lifecycle processes. This role ensures compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (including FDA/GxP where applicable), public company standards, and multi-state employment laws.Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), this role partners closely with Finance, Legal, and external advisors to build scalable infrastructure supporting the company’s transition to commercial-stage and potential global expansion. This position initially manages one direct report and serves as the primary interface with Payroll and Finance.This position is based in our Watertown, MA office and offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement.RESPONSIBILITIES:Total Rewards Strategy & Compensation Governance (30%)Lead design and execution of the annual compensation cycle (merit, bonus, promotions, and market adjustments)Partner with CHRO and Compensation Committee to prepare quarterly materials and analysesCollaborate with external compensation consultants to refine and maintain compensation philosophyEnsure alignment with public company requirements, including equity programs and disclosuresConduct benchmarking and market analyses to support competitive positioningDevelop scalable compensation frameworks to support organizational growthBenefits Strategy & Administration (20%)Design and manage comprehensive benefits programs (health, welfare, retirement, wellness)Lead annual open enrollment planning, execution, and communicationsEvaluate vendor performance and optimize broker and provider relationshipsEnsure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and applicable state regulationsIntroduce scalable and competitive benefits aligned with workforce needs and growth strategyHR Operations & Employee Lifecycle Management (20%)Oversee and optimize end-to-end employee lifecycle processes (hire, onboarding, performance management, offboarding, retirement)Standardize and document HR processes to ensure consistency, scalability, and audit readinessEnhance employee experience to maintain employer-of-choice statusImplement process improvements leveraging HR technology and automationMaintain accurate employee records in compliance with regulatory and internal requirementsHR Compliance, Risk Management & FDA/GxP Alignment (15%)Ensure HR practices comply with FDA/GxP expectations as applicable (e.g., training documentation, audit trails, record retention)Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across 20+ statesSupport internal and external audits, including SOX-related controls where applicableDevelop and maintain HR policies, SOPs, and documentation aligned with regulatory standardsPartner with Legal on employee relations matters and risk mitigationHRIS, Payroll & Data Governance (10%)Serve as system owner for ADP Workforce Now, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and system optimizationAct as primary liaison with Payroll and Finance to ensure accurate and compliant payroll processingDrive reporting and analytics to support business decisions and board-level insightsImplement enhancements to HRIS to support scaling and potential global expansionTeam Leadership & Strategic Support (5%)Manage and develop direct reportSupport CHRO on strategic initiatives and organizational planningContribute to HR function scaling in preparation for commercialization and global growthREQUIREMENTS:Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, or related) preferred18+ years of progressive HR experience, with significant focus on Total Rewards and HR Operations.Experience in biotech, life sciences, or regulated industry strongly preferredExperience in a public company environment requiredPrior experience in organizations with 500+ employees preferred.Demonstrated exposure to global HR practices and scaling organizations internationallyDeep knowledge of compensation strategy, equity programs, and governanceStrong understanding of benefits design and compliance frameworksExpertise in HRIS systems (ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred)Familiarity with FDA/GxP environments and audit requirements.Working knowledge of SOX controls as they relate to HR and payrollStrategic thinker with strong operational execution skillsHigh attention to detail with audit-ready mindsetAbility to operate in a fast-paced, evolving biotech environmentStrong cross-functional collaboration skills (Finance, Legal, Executive Leadership)Data-driven decision-maker with strong analytical capabilities