Senior Total Rewards Consultant

Job Title: Senior Total Rewards Consultant

Job Description

The Senior Total Rewards Consultant (contract) will serve as the interim leader for Total Rewards, ensuring continuity and stability across compensation, benefits, and retirement programs while the current leader focuses on a strategic transformation initiative. This role requires more than 10 years of progressive experience in Total Rewards and deep expertise in compensation structures, benefits strategy and administration, and retirement plans including 401(k) and pension governance. The consultant will operate with a high degree of independence, support a large and complex organizational environment, and provide both strategic guidance and hands-on operational support to maintain and enhance Total Rewards programs during a critical period of change.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the interim Total Rewards lead while the Director is dedicated to strategic project work, providing continuity and leadership for all Total Rewards programs.
• Manage day-to-day compensation and benefits operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant administration of all programs.
• Oversee retirement plan administration and governance, including 401(k), pension, deferred compensation, and related vendor relationships.
• Support annual compensation review cycles and incentive programs, including planning, analysis, and execution.
• Provide strategic guidance on benefits and retirement plan design, administration, and long-term program direction.
• Partner closely with HR Business Partners, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to align Total Rewards programs with organizational goals.
• Identify risks across compensation, benefits, and retirement programs and implement measures to ensure continuity of critical Total Rewards processes.
• Lead or support Total Rewards transformation activities as needed, contributing to strategic initiatives and change management efforts.
• Create, refine, and oversee benefit plans, including plan design, implementation, and ongoing optimization.
• Manage benefits and leave administration, including FMLA and related compliance requirements.
• Conduct compensation analysis, including market pricing and benchmarking, to ensure competitive and equitable pay practices.
• Support the development and communication of the employee value proposition and Total Rewards messaging to enhance employee understanding and engagement.
• Participate in or support mergers and acquisitions activities as they relate to compensation, benefits, and retirement programs.
• Collaborate on vendor selection, negotiation, and ongoing relationship management for benefits and retirement plan providers.
• Utilize retirement planning software and HRIS tools to support accurate reporting, analysis, and administration of Total Rewards programs.
• Apply strong project management skills to plan, coordinate, and deliver Total Rewards initiatives on time and within scope.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive Total Rewards experience, with deep expertise in compensation, benefits, and retirement programs.
• Proven experience supporting large, complex organizations and navigating matrixed environments.
• Ability to operate independently and provide both strategic guidance and hands-on operational support.
• Extensive experience with retirement plans, including 401(k), pension, deferred compensation, and related governance requirements.
• Strong background in benefits strategy, administration, and vendor management.
• Expertise in executive and broad-based compensation programs, including design and administration.
• Experience managing annual compensation planning cycles, including merit, bonus, and incentive programs.
• Proficiency in market pricing and compensation benchmarking to ensure competitive pay practices.
• Knowledge of benefits compliance and regulatory requirements, including leave programs such as FMLA.
• Experience in benefits and leave administration, including day-to-day operations and issue resolution.
• Strong skills in compensation analysis and retirement benefits administration.
• Ability to partner effectively with HR Business Partners, Finance, Legal, and external vendors.
• Demonstrated capability in project management and strategy within human resources management.
• Experience working with retirement planning software and related tools.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience partnering with HR leadership and executive teams to shape Total Rewards strategy and programs.
• background in leading or supporting Total Rewards transformations and change initiatives.
• Familiarity with Workday or similar HRIS platforms for data management and reporting.
• Experience with vendor selection, negotiation, and relationship management for benefits and retirement plan providers.
• Consulting background or experience working in highly matrixed organizations.
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions, particularly in integrating and harmonizing compensation, benefits, and retirement plans.
• Ability to contribute to the development and communication of the employee value proposition and Total Rewards communications.
• Strong strategic thinking skills combined with a practical, execution-focused approach.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively across functions and with external partners.
• Interest in long-term opportunities, with potential for future growth based on strong performance in this role.

Work Environment

This role offers a flexible work environment, with the option to work fully remote. The consultant may be asked to travel periodically to locations in Indiana, Kentucky, or Texas to provide on-site support during key phases of the project. The organization operates in a dynamic setting that has recently undergone an acquisition and merger, creating an environment of transformation and growth. The consultant will use HRIS platforms such as Workday or similar systems, retirement planning software, and standard office technology to manage and analyze Total Rewards programs. The culture emphasizes strategic change, collaboration with cross-functional partners, and the potential for the role to evolve into a longer-term opportunity based on performance and business needs.

This is a Contract position based out of Detroit, MI.

The pay range for this position is $58.00 - $72.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.