Director, Total Rewards

City

Irvine

State

California

Job Location

Irvine Regional Office (Derian)

Position Type

Regular

The Director, Total Rewards will serve as a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing compensation, benefits, and recognition programs. Reporting to the VP, HR & Assistant General Counsel, this role will play a critical part in ensuring that our total rewards strategy aligns with business objectives, strengthens our employee value proposition, and positions Essex as an employer of choice within the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) industry.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Provide strategic direction for the development, implementation, and administration of salary structures, short-term incentives, and long-term incentive plans, ensuring competitiveness and compliance.
• Maintain and refine the company’s job classification and job leveling frameworks, ensuring consistency, pay equity, and transparency across the organization.
• Lead Essex’s compensation survey participation and market benchmarking efforts, analyzing market data and recommending program updates to maintain alignment with industry trends.
• Oversee the annual compensation review cycle, ensuring fairness, internal equity, and market competitiveness.
• Direct the administration of health, welfare, retirement, and wellness programs, ensuring accurate policy interpretation, regulatory compliance, and effective communication to employees.
• Lead open enrollment efforts, including auditing enrollment data, resolving discrepancies, and driving successful implementation of benefit changes.
• Guide special projects, such as compensation analyses, bonus plan design, and incentive program enhancements, ensuring timely delivery and measurable impact.
• Provide strategic oversight of headcount planning and budgeting, partnering with senior leadership and Finance to align workforce planning with long-term business objectives and financial targets.
• Serve as a consultative partner to senior leaders, providing insights and recommendations on compensation, benefits, and incentive strategies to support business objectives.
• Partner with recruitment teams to ensure competitive and compelling compensation packages are offered to attract and retain top talent.
• Collaborate with performance management teams to ensure reward programs are aligned with performance outcomes and career development frameworks.
• Stay ahead of emerging market trends, regulatory changes, and workforce expectations to propose and implement program enhancements that reinforce Essex’s culture and values.
• Provide vision, leadership, and development for a team of four, fostering growth and engagement while building organizational capability.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field; HR certification (CCP, CEBS, or similar) a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in compensation and benefits, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Direct experience managing total rewards programs in California is required (Washington a plus), with proven expertise in state-specific employment laws, pay transparency requirements, and benefits compliance.
• Demonstrated success designing and leading total rewards strategies in a complex, multi-location organization.
• Deep understanding of compensation methodologies, executive compensation, incentive design, benefits strategy, and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Proven ability to influence and advise senior leaders on sensitive compensation and benefits matters.

WHAT THE JOB REQUIRES:

• Proficiency with market pricing tools such as Market Pay or PayScale is preferred, and experience in Workday is a plus.
• Ability to navigate and adapt to evolving market conditions, workforce expectations, and regulatory environments.
• Strong communication skills, capable of simplifying complex concepts and presenting effectively to executives.
• Proven ability to lead multiple initiatives, prioritize effectively, and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Must be able to operate in a fast-paced work setting. Requires the ability to multitask and adapt quickly to changing priorities. May involve tight deadlines and high-energy work situations.
• Work is primarily conducted in an office setting. Requires sitting at a desk or workstation for extended periods. Involves the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers.
• The position includes in-person work requirements consistent with the hybrid policy located at Essex's corporate offices in Woodland Hills, Irvine, Bellevue or San Mateo. The hybrid policy is subject to change at Essex’s sole discretion.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE:

• A strategic mindset with the ability to balance competitive market practices and fiscal responsibility.
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented leadership style that builds trust and engagement across teams.
• A passion for designing programs that not only reward performance but also reinforce Essex’s culture and values.
• High integrity and discretion when managing sensitive and confidential information.
• The ability to think innovatively while maintaining compliance and governance standards.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-AS1

All full-time regular associates are offered competitive salaries, experience career growth, and are eligible for benefit packages that include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, 401k employer match, excellence rewards, wellness programs, and much more. With our Sunday property operations office closures, 10 paid holidays, and 15 PTO days, work/life balance is a priority! Additionally, most positions are eligible for a housing discount of 20%.

Essex provides great communities in which to live, work and invest. We are a purpose-driven company, and we pride ourselves on promoting an internal culture of growth and opportunity by engaging, enabling, and empowering our teams. Working at Essex is not a destination. It is a journey where you can confidently build your career.

The pay range for this position is $138,000.00 - $207,000.00 per year. New hires generally start between $138,000.00 - $172,000.00 per year. The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, including but not limited to skill sets; relevant experience; internal equity; and other business and organizational needs.

This role is also eligible to participate in Essex’s discretionary Annual Bonus program that is commensurate with the level of the position.