Senior Director of Total Rewards and Payroll

Seattle Colleges District is looking to hire a Senior Director of Total Rewards and Payroll in the Human Resources Department. 

Salary Range for this position is $144,786 to $199,942 annually (depending on experience). 

Opportunity is open until filled, first review of materials will begin June 1st, 2026. 

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, the Senior Director of Total Rewards and Payroll provides district-wide strategic leadership for Seattle Colleges compensation, benefits, and payroll functions. This position leads a critical, high-service, labor-intensive portfolio that shapes the District's total rewards strategy, ensures compliant and effective payroll operations, and advances enterprise-wide approaches to compensation, benefits, workforce affordability, and operational risk management.

The Senior Director is responsible for setting strategic direction, developing district-wide frameworks, and leading cross-functional implementation for staff compensation, employee benefits, payroll, and related HRIS/reporting processes. The position oversees the design, evaluation, communication, and continuous improvement of programs and systems that support the attraction, retention, and equitable compensation of employees across the District.

This role collaborates closely with executive and HR leadership, payroll, HRIS, labor relations, finance, and external agency and vendor partners to align total rewards and payroll strategy with institutional priorities, fiscal stewardship, compliance obligations, and organizational effectiveness. The Senior Director provides high-level analysis and recommendations to support enterprise decision-making, manages significant operational and compliance risk within the portfolio, and leads a broad body of work that influences district-wide policy implementation and business action planning.

This position supervises Exempt-unrepresented, Exempt-represented, Classified, Temporary, Student, and Work Study employees.

This position is typically scheduled to work Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM. The schedule may vary depending on program needs. May be required to work evenings and weekends as needed. This position works a hybrid schedule of both remote and on-site work

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle Colleg and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation. 

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including: 

• Competitive Pay Rates 
• Promotional Opportunities 
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans 
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave 
• Transportation benefits 
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan 
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Application Procedures:

• Attached current Resume
• Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants: 

Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Seattle Colleges is unable to extend post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to F-1 students who receive STEM degrees.

What you will be working on:

Strategic Leadership for Total Rewards and Payroll

• Provides district-wide leadership for the District's total rewards portfolio, including staff compensation, benefits, and payroll strategy, operations, and continuous improvement. 
• Develops and advances strategic direction, goals, and business action plans for compensation, benefits, and payroll in alignment with District priorities, workforce needs, and fiscal considerations.
• Leads a critical district-wide function with responsibility for program effectiveness, compliance, service delivery, and enterprise risk management within the assigned portfolio. 
• Serves as the District's senior subject matter expert and strategic advisor on compensation, benefits, and payroll matters for executive leadership, HR leadership, managers, and other key stakeholders. 
• Shapes district-wide practices and recommendations related to compensation structures, salary administration, benefits strategy, payroll governance, affordability, and internal equity.
• Leads cross-functional planning and collaboration with finance, HRIS, payroll, labor relations, and other departments to support major institutional initiatives and organizational priorities. 
• Oversees development and implementation of district-wide communication strategies, tools, and guidance related to compensation, benefits, and payroll.
• Establishes functional priorities, service standards, internal controls, and improvement strategies across the portfolio. 
• Provides leadership to managers, leads, and professional staff within the function, including direction related to performance, work allocation, development, problem resolution, and operational effectiveness. 

Compensation Strategy and Administration

• Directs the design, evaluation, and administration of staff compensation programs to support market competitiveness, internal equity, fiscal stewardship, and compliance. 
• Oversees the District's compensation methodologies, job-related pay analysis, salary modeling, survey participation, and market benchmarking processes. 
• Provides high-level consultation and recommendations regarding salary placement, salary structures, proposed salary actions, and broader compensation strategy. 
• Evaluates compensation trends, legislative developments, and contractual requirements to inform district-wide policy and operational decisions. 
• Leads development and refinement of compensation tools, policies, practices, and decision frameworks used by leaders and HR partners across the District. 
• Oversees annual compensation planning activities, including cost modeling, salary increase scenarios, and compensation statement preparation. 

Benefits Strategy and Compliance

• Provides strategic oversight of the District's health and welfare benefits and retirement-related programs, working through Benefits staff and in collaboration with internal and external partners. 
• Leads the District's relationship with state benefits program administrators, external stewards, and related vendors or agencies as applicable. 
• Directs benefits strategy, compliance oversight, and program review to ensure alignment with legal requirements, employee needs, and organizational priorities. 
• Ensures ongoing compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations affecting benefits administration, including ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, and related requirements. 
• Oversees audits, policy reviews, and corrective actions related to benefits plan administration, documentation, and employee communications. 
• Guides benefits communication and education efforts to improve employee understanding, effective utilization, and consistent administration of programs. 

Payroll Oversight and Governance

• Provides strategic and administrative oversight of payroll operations in partnership with the Payroll Associate Director to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll administration district-wide. 
• Oversees payroll governance, controls, escalation pathways, and process improvement efforts related to semi-monthly payroll and required state and federal reporting. 
• Ensures alignment of payroll administration with applicable local, state, and federal requirements, including wage and hour laws and FLSA compliance. 
• Monitors operational risks, compliance issues, and systems-related impacts affecting payroll accuracy and employee pay. 

HRIS, Data, and Organizational Analysis

• Oversees collaboration with the HRIS Specialist and other partners to define systems, automation, integration, and reporting needs across compensation, benefits, and payroll functions. 
• Directs the development and use of reports, dashboards, and analysis to support compliance, workforce planning, cost management, and executive decision-making.
• Uses data and trend analysis to identify opportunities for improved effectiveness, service delivery, and policy or process refinement across the District's HR operations. 

Budget, Planning, and Financial Stewardship

• Serves in a significant cross-functional partnership with the Vice Chancellor of Finance, working in close coordination on enterprise systems, budget planning, financial modeling, compliance, reporting, and District-wide projects affecting compensation, benefits, payroll, and related operational functions.
• Leads strategic planning related to the District's benefits budget and staff compensation budget modeling in partnership with HR and Finance leaders. 
• Develops and presents budget recommendations, cost projections, salary models, and financial analyses related to compensation and benefits programs. 
• Oversees financial administration for compensation- and benefits-related expenditures, including approval and monitoring of purchase orders, invoices, and budget activity as assigned. 
• Evaluates the fiscal impact of compensation structures, salary proposals, benefits changes, and operational decisions on District resources. 
• Supports executive and business planning by translating compensation, benefits, and payroll data into actionable recommendations.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts in terms understandable by the diverse communities which comprise the Seattle Colleges workforce
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field; OR, 4 or more years of related experience
• Demonstrated progressively responsible experience in Compensation, Benefits, and Payroll administration
• Demonstrated experience leading others and ability to build solid collaborative cross-functional relationships to achieve results
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, influencing, negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking skills with the demonstrated ability to dissect and identify core questions/issues and then apply creative problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to effect change and continuous improvement through process, technology optimization, and automation
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Demonstrated knowledge of all federal, state and local regulations and compliance requirements related to compensation and benefits
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills and the ability to develop statistical, quantitative models (e.g. business case and complex forecasting)
• Demonstrated exceptional accuracy and attention to detail
• Demonstrated excellent project management skills with ability to drive consensus in cross functional teams among diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated high ethical standards and integrity, with the ability to exercise good judgment and handle highly sensitive and confidential information
• Highly adaptable, curious, and resilient; able to work effectively in a dynamic and fast paced environment with a wide array of stakeholders

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.

OFFICE SETTING:

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants: 

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion
• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings 

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, hair texture or protective hairstyles, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of "bullying" behaviors, including "cyber bullying."

Students, employees, and applicants at Seattle Colleges can reach the Title IX Coordinator or ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for questions about discrimination, harassment or grievance procedures.

Background Check Statement 

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB 2327 as required.