Director, Total Rewards – Operations

Encoded Therapeutics Inc.

Director overseeing Total Rewards and Operations at Encoded, focusing on compensation and HR systems. Building scalable frameworks as the company grows and matures.

Posted 7/16/2026full-timeRemote • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $200,000 - $240,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in compensation design, benchmarking, and total rewards strategy, with a strong focus on compliance, data integrity, and HR technology integration. Proven ability to lead complex projects and vendor management in a maturing organization.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Compensation BenchmarkingTotal Rewards StrategyHRIS ImplementationVendor ManagementCompliance Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Compensation DesignMarket AnalysisPay Equity ExpertiseJob Architecture MaintenanceEquity Program DesignAudit ComplianceData Integrity ManagementPerformance Management ProcessGrant Guidelines EvaluationCompensation Philosophy

Soft Skills

Project ManagementOperational RigorCross-Functional LeadershipAdaptabilityCommunication

Tools & Technologies

HRISPayroll SystemsBenefits Delivery SystemsCompensation Survey ToolsVendor Management Systems

Industry Keywords

Total RewardsExecutive CompensationMarket CompetitivenessRadford Survey Methodology401(k) ComplianceACA ReportingEEO-1 ReportingSection 125 ComplianceFSA Non-Discrimination TestingGovernance Requirements

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Partner with the VP, People & Culture and the Board's Compensation Committee to design and implement scalable, market-competitive executive and broad-based incentive structures appropriate to a maturing organization.
Partner with Finance on the design and market-competitiveness of the equity program - including grant guidelines, benchmarking grant levels against market, and the evaluation of future equity vehicles (e.g., an ESPP).
Own compensation benchmarking and market analysis, including Radford survey submissions and the maintenance of job architecture, salary structures, and pay bands.
Run the total rewards calendar end to end - merit and bonus planning, mid-year and year-end compensation cycles, and the compensation components of the performance process.
Serve as the subject-matter expert on pay equity, compensation philosophy, and total rewards communications to managers and employees.
Lead the evolution of Encoded's HR operations and service-delivery model, including assessing and, where appropriate, transitioning HR technology, payroll, and benefits delivery to support the company's scale.
Own the HR technology roadmap and serve as system owner for the HR tech stack, with a focus on integration across HRIS, payroll, benefits, and downstream systems.
Own vendor management for key People partnerships - benefits brokers, leave-of-absence providers, HRIS and payroll vendors, and compensation survey providers - including selection, contracting, and performance management.
Oversee the annual operational compliance cycle, including 401(k) plan audit, ACA reporting, Section 125 / FSA non-discrimination testing, and EEO-1 reporting.
In partnership with Finance, build and maintain internal controls and data integrity over HR and payroll data that meet the standards of a maturing, audit-ready organization, and ensure data integrity through audit cycles.
Develop and maintain readiness for evolving compensation, governance, and disclosure requirements; coordinate the external advisors (compensation consultants, counsel) and Finance partners who support these needs.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or HR with 12 + years of progressive total rewards experience, including hands-on compensation design OR a Master’s degree/MBA with 8–10 years of experience featuring strategic program ownership, executive compensation design, and direct board governance exposure.
Demonstrated depth in compensation benchmarking and structure design; fluency with Radford or comparable survey methodology.
Experience owning or leading an HRIS / HR technology implementation or major systems transition.
Strong operational rigor - comfort owning compliance cycles, audits, and the controls and documentation a maturing, audit-ready organization requires.
Proven vendor and project management ability; able to lead a complex, cross-functional transition end to end.
A builder's orientation: comfortable with ambiguity and energized by standing up infrastructure where little exists.

Benefits

Comp & perks

- Comprehensive benefits package, including competitive employer premium contributions
- Meaningful stock option grants
- PTO, sick time and holiday pay
- Generous Parental Leave program
- Pre-tax medical and dependent care programs
- STD, LTD, Life and AD&D
- Professional development opportunities
- Team-building events
- Fully stocked micro - kitchen
- Fitness center at South San Francisco location