Division Chief Compensation, Benefits and HR Services

We improve lives

The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

About this position

The Human Resources Department (HRD) is seeking a strategic, transformational and impact oriented senior leader to manage the Compensation and Benefits practices as a center of expertise (COE), as well as oversee the HR services organization (including payroll, taxes, visas and service center among others).

The successful candidate will be an integral part of the HRD Leadership Team (HRLT), exercising leadership in developing strong relationships with the Board of Executive Directors, Senior Management Team, Client Departments, and country offices within a matrix system. This role involves transforming how we deliver HR services, developing regulations, enhancing processes and methodologies to support the IDB Group strategy, business model to deliver impact. The Division of Compensation and Benefits, along with the HR services, reports directly to the General Manager, Human Resources Department. The candidate will coordinate and collaborate closely with managers, divisional chiefs and other managerial positions to provide outstanding services to stakeholders and business leaders.

What you’ll do

Key Accountabilities

The Division Chief is responsible for setting strategy and delivering results across Total Rewards, Benefits and Well‑being, and HR Services Operations, ensuring financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, and a high‑quality employee experience across the IDB Group. The role provides leadership within HRD, partners closely with senior stakeholders, and supports effective Board engagement through sound governance, clear briefings, and informed decision‑making.

i)Total Rewards & Policy Design

Leads the design, administration, and reform of compensation, benefits, rewards, and HR services policies for staff and consultants at headquarters and country offices. Develops annual compensation, benefits, and recognition proposals for the Board, ensuring competitiveness, alignment with the People Strategy, regulatory compliance, and a strong link between performance and rewards, while safeguarding financial sustainability.

ii) Benefits, well‑being & Modalities

Oversee the IDB Group’s benefits and well‑being strategy, including global mobility benefits, health and life insurance plans, and employee assistance services. Leads governance, financial oversight, reporting rigor, and long‑term strategy for the self‑insured health plan for staff and retirees, ensuring sustainability and quality of service.

iii) HR Operations, Services & Compliance

Leads the transformation of HR services delivery, regulations, processes, and methodologies to support the IDB Group’s strategy and business model. Oversees the HR Service Center in Costa Rica, managing service delivery across more than 70 HR activities, contractual agreements, and service‑level commitments. Ensures effective management of global payroll, tax administration, visa and work permit processes, internal controls, and HR systems, including SAP.

iv) Stakeholder Engagement & Division Leadership

As a member of the Human Resources Leadership Team, champions the implementation of the IDB Group People Strategy in support of IDB Strategy+. Leads a multidisciplinary team of staff and consultants, fosters human‑centered employee experiences, and builds strong partnerships with business leaders, HRBPs, and country offices. Provides strategic direction, oversees annual planning, KPIs, and delivery of the division’s work program, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and emerging business needs.

v) Board Engagement & Governance

Oversees the preparation of Board briefings and presentations, anticipates priorities and decision points, and proactively coordinates with HRD and cross‑functional partners to provide timely analysis, risk assessments, and decision support.

What you'll need

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent degree in human resources management, business administration, economics, accounting, finance, organizational development, or another relevant field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of directly relevant experience in senior-level roles, with a strong technical background in leading HR programs, systems, and practices, particularly in compensation and benefits and HR services.
• Experience leading transformational organizational changes.
• Experience leading technological changes related to process improvements and transformation.
• Proven ability to initiate conceptual developments and deliver results.
• Strong consultation skills to provide strategic guidance to business unit leaders.
• In-depth understanding of the work of multilateral development organizations and how HR operates as a strategic partner to the business.
• Effective manager of resources, fostering a culture of efficiency, good planning, and accountability.
• Experience in workforce dynamics, analytics, and change management in complex organizations.
• Proven track record in building high-performing teams with client services orientation and driving transformation.
• Impeccable integrity and high ethical standards
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and experience in working in multicultural environments
• Collaborative team players who can inspire trust and passion for the IDB group's mission, establish productive relationships and treat all individuals with fairness and respect.

Skills:

• Demonstrable ability to analyze and improve work processes, examine procedures, develop sound proposals, and successfully implement policies.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience working with large data sets, communicating findings, and establishing and tracking program metrics.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interface with all levels of the organization, influence decision-makers, and set and manage expectations.
• Strong financial skills, managing programs and developing key performance indicators.
• Demonstrated ability to lead build lean and versatile teams, mentor in a team environment where collaboration, motivation, and knowledge transfer are critical for success.
• Creates teams that are cost efficient and can adapt quickly and expertly to new challenges and opportunities.
• Ability to bring innovative and workable concepts and ideas to meet clients’ needs, translating them into policies processes and systems, ensuring to Lead change and transformation.
• Results orientation with ability to meet organizational goals and client expectations while producing high quality results.
• Establish experience in managing relationships at the board level
• Ability to effectively translate complex concepts and data and convey them to staff management and the board's
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and take difficult decisions
• Ability to have a big picture perspective but also able to understand the business and design implement and manage complex processes from a strategic and operational perspective
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to quickly establish and maintain trust and credibility with all stakeholders.

Languages:

Oral and written proficiency in English required; knowledge of Spanish preferred, Portuguese and/or French is a plus.

Requirements

• Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries. We may offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your eligible dependents.
• Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.
  

Type of contract and duration

International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.

What we offer

Our culture

We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us at accommodations@iadb.org .