Director, Total Rewards

About The Kennedy Center

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” – President John F. Kennedy

The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. 

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law. 

Mission Statement: As the nation's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts. 

Why Join Us

We offer a comprehensive range of benefits to all full-time employees including: 

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA
• Flexible work arrangements
• We like to have fun! Check out the Kennedy Center National Dance Day 2023 staff video!

Job Description

This role is responsible for overseeing and directing the total rewards function, including design, administration, and continuous improvement. The role encompasses the development of staff and the management of vendors, consultants, and brokers.

Specifically, the responsibilities include accountability for employee benefit plan design and administration, related employee education outreach, compensation administration, advising on job description content and maintaining JD library, working with other HR leaders in recommending leveling and pricing decisions, managing employee wellness programs and outreach, overseeing employee recognition programs, conducting employee engagement analytics, and managing employee data.

Certain workflows within these responsibilities can be delegated to staff with proper supervision, while others are directly managed by the Director. The role involves proactive engagement with key stakeholders, including the Kennedy Center’s President, CHRO, CFO, and General Counsel, particularly development, implementation, and administration of compensation programs, health and retirement plans and data management.

Additionally, this position is responsible for overseeing the payroll function to ensure proper, accurate, and compliant processing of payroll submissions for different business units and unions, ensuring adherence to CBAs and legal requirements. The role also involves overseeing timely and accurate tax filings and supervising the auditing process in collaboration with the Finance department.

Furthermore, the role includes responsibilities for Labor Negotiations, acting as the subject matter expert, making recommendations, and conducting equity analysis for health, welfare, and compensation demands. Lastly, the position partners with HR leaders on merit cycle and market adjustments recommendations.

The overall scope of the total rewards function aligns with the Kennedy Center’s philosophy, organizational goals, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Overseas the management of the payroll function ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing for diverse business units and unions while enforcing compliance and proper recordkeeping for tax and labor regulations, collective bargaining agreements (CBA), retirement, pension plans heath/welfare and training plan contributions, benefits plans and fiscal and year end activities.
• Manage the strategy, design, and implementation of all employee benefit& wellness plans and programs. Evaluate benefit best practices and the Center’s market competitiveness. Works with key stakeholders to develop cost estimates, forecasts and changes to the rewards and recognition programs. Manage insourced and outsourced components of Plan administration as well as CBA dimensions. Leads the communication of benefit programs to employees while keeping appropriate stakeholders informed and aware of status and implementation of key programs and new initiatives. Conceptualize, recommend, and administer the strategy and execution of the employee wellness program. Target specific providers, initiatives and partnerships that drive cost savings and improve the employee experience while elevating the employe value proposition.
• Administer the Kennedy Center compensation architecture and manages the program update work with external vendors as needed. Maintains current all records related to staff compensation and is responsible for the annual merit cycle, analyses and makes recommendations for market adjustments as needed. Additionally, makes recommendations on job leveling and job market adjustments in collaboration with the Talent Acquisition and HR Operations teams for actions outside the annual merit cycle.
• Responsible for the evaluation, design, implementation, enhancement, and continuous improvement of in support of payroll and benefits.
• Oversee the management of employee data input and output as it relates to benefits, vendor feeds, payroll performance and merit cycles management, and employee surveys, audits, etc. as needed.
• Acts as and advisor and as subject matter expert, making recommendations, and conducting equity analysis for health, welfare, and compensation demands during labor negotiations.
• Actively participate as a key leader with the Human Resources team in development of human capital strategies and tactical approaches to deliver high impact solutions and drive HR initiatives related to total rewards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business management or related field with 7-10 years of hands on experience in employee benefits, including 5 years of benefit design and management
• 3-5 years in a leadership role, and 1-2 years with compensation administration responsibilities. Knowledge of core Benefits administration technologies
• Experience administering benefits in a CBA environment. Experience managing an employee Wellness program. Experience managing an Employee recognition program. Experience managing an employee engagement survey strategy. Experience with survey tools, administration, and analytics. CCP and/or CBP designation preferred.