Head of Total Rewards

Head of Total Rewards ABOUT HANDSHAKE Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. 20 million knowledge workers, 1,600 educational institutions, 1 million employers (including 100% of the Fortune 50), and every foundational AI lab trust Handshake to power career discovery, hiring, and upskilling, from freelance AI training gigs to first internships to full-time careers and beyond. This unique value is leading to unparalleled growth; in 2025, we tripled our ARR at scale. Why join Handshake now: - Shape how every career evolves in the AI economy, at global scale, with impact your friends, family and peers can see and feel - Work hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world’s top educational institutions - Join a team with leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, among others - Build a massive, fast-growing business with billions in revenue THE ROLE: As the Head of Total Rewards at Handshake, you will lead the strategy and execution of our global compensation and benefits programs during a period of hyper-growth. This role requires both strategic vision and operational rigor. You will bring clarity and structure to a fast-evolving organization, ensuring our compensation and benefits programs scale thoughtfully with the business. - Lead the strategy and execution of total rewards programs, spanning base compensation, equity, incentives, and benefits, aligned to business priorities and long-term value creation. - Design scalable total rewards structures that attract and retain top talent while balancing affordability, equity burn, and cash discipline. - Bring strong and meticulous program management to total rewards, ensuring key initiatives and targeted solutions are clearly documented, tracked, and delivered with precision. - Partner closely with executive, business, and hiring leaders to provide high-context guidance on offers, promotions, retention, and org changes. - Build and evolve incentive programs that align individual and team outcomes with company performance, with clear mechanics and strong adoption across leaders. - Own benefits strategy and vendor partnerships across health, wellness, leave, and retirement, ensuring programs are competitive and experience-forward. - Build and scale a high-performing total rewards function by leveraging the team and the right tools, systems, and partners to expand impact. YOU HAVE: MUST-HAVES: - 8+ years of experience in total rewards analysis and strategy, with a focus on hyper-growth, VC-backed, pre-IPO companies. - Proven track record of developing compensation frameworks in dynamic environments. - Deep expertise in equity compensation - Expertise in using compensation survey tools like Pave and Radford for data-driven decision making. - Strong analytical skills, with experience in data audits and variance analysis. - Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders. - Deep knowledge of compliance standards, including FLSA and pay equity laws. BONUS POINTS: - Experience in leading compensation strategies through IPO - Familiarity with HR systems such as Workday and Ashby. - Previous experience in high-growth tech companies. WE OFFER Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life. The below benefits are for full-time US employees. 🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company 💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching 🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching 💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, $500 wellness stipend 📚 Growth: $2,000 learning stipend, ongoing development 💻 Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office 🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days 🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses Explore our mission, values, and compreh ... (truncated, view full listing at source)