Head of Total Rewards

Zurich North America is seeking a strategic and experienced Head of Total Rewards to lead and execute our compensation and benefits strategy. This executive role oversees the total rewards function and plays a critical role in aligning programs with business priorities to attract, motivate, and retain top talent. This is a high-impact leadership role offering the opportunity to shape Zurich North America’s total rewards strategy and drive meaningful business outcomes.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this leader will translate Zurich’s mission, vision, and strategy into actionable total rewards initiatives that drive performance, engagement, and organizational success.

The preferred location is our Zurich North American headquarters based in our Schaumburg, IL office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Total Rewards strategy aligned with business objectives and evolving market trends, ensuring competitive and effective compensation, performance management, and benefits programs.
• Lead ongoing evaluation and optimization of compensation and benefits offerings to maintain desired market positioning and incorporate best practices that support talent attraction, retention, and business outcomes.
• Oversee the design and evolution of compensation and benefits frameworks, including job architecture, salary structures, incentive plans, and benefits programs.
• Direct the annual merit planning and performance management processes, as well as the benefits annual enrollment cycle, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Balance market competitiveness, internal equity, and financial considerations to drive employee engagement, retention, and organizational performance.
• Design and manage incentive programs, including sales compensation, in close partnership with business leaders to align performance and reward outcomes.
• Lead executive compensation strategy, including the design and governance of annual and long-term incentive plans aligned with a high-performance culture.
• Partner with Group Total Rewards to ensure alignment with global remuneration frameworks, governance, and compliance requirements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of compensation and benefits professionals, fostering innovation and delivering programs that effectively support business and employee needs.
• Build organizational capability by identifying critical skill requirements, developing talent, and cultivating an engaged, high-performing team.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, HR, and business stakeholders, providing strategic guidance on total rewards to inform key business decisions.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years of progressive HR experience
  AND
• Demonstrated experience in senior HR or Total Rewards leadership roles
• People Management experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep expertise across compensation and benefits, including plan design, job architecture, and market benchmarking
• Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate trends and adapt to evolving business needs
• Strong financial acumen and ability to use data and insights to inform decisions
• Proven ability to lead through change and navigate ambiguity with clarity and direction
• Exceptional stakeholder management and ability to influence at the executive level
• Track record of building high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture
• Strong communication skills with the ability to deliver clear, compelling, and data-driven recommendations
• Global perspective with experience aligning local programs to broader enterprise strategies

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply, your unique background matters to us.

The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed salary range for this position is $220,000.00 - $300,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 35%. This role is also eligible to participate in the company’s long-term incentive program.

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here .]

Why Zurich?

At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.

Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.

Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.

Location(s): AM - Schaumburg
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No

Linkedin Recruiter Tag: #LI-BK1 #LI-EXECUTIVE