Manager Total Rewards

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) is seeking a Manager, Total Rewards to help shape and lead compensation and benefits programs for Tribal Operations.

This is an opportunity for an experienced total rewards professional who enjoys combining strategy with hands-on execution. You’ll work closely with HR, Finance, leaders, vendors, and other partners to ensure our compensation and benefits programs are competitive, well-managed, and aligned with the needs of the organization and our team members.

From compensation philosophy and market analysis to benefits administration, leave programs, and annual enrollment, this role will play an important part in building a thoughtful and effective total rewards experience.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will:

• Lead compensation programs that support SMSC business goals and budget priorities, including merit increases, market adjustments, and bonus-related pay.
• Help establish and maintain compensation philosophy, salary structures, job leveling, market benchmarking, and pay practices.
• Advise HR and Tribal Operations leaders on compensation studies, market trends, pay decisions, and recommendations.
• Partner with leaders and HR on annual compensation reviews, adjustments, and bonus processes.
• Collaborate with Finance on compensation modeling, forecasting, and cost projections.
• Support compliance with applicable compensation requirements, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and pay equity regulations.
• Coordinate annual benefits renewals and open enrollment in partnership with HR leadership, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Oversee benefits eligibility, enrollment, deductions, vendor feeds, and related HRIS/payroll processes.
• Manage and strengthen relationships with benefits vendors, including contracts, renewals, and service-level expectations.
• Help create a smooth team member experience across leave programs while coordinating benefits continuation, payroll, accommodations, and workers' compensation.
• Maintain accurate and confidential compensation, benefits, and leave information within HR systems and personnel records.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Compensation and Benefits team while creating clear expectations and a culture centered on accountability, trust, learning, and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be successful in this role if you bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of compensation experience.
• 4+ years of experience supporting benefits administration, including eligibility, enrollment, life events, deductions, vendor feeds, and reconciliation.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including experience working with data, statistical analysis, and visualization.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR-related technology.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to translate complex compensation and benefits information into practical recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to collaborate effectively across HR, Finance, leadership, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• The initiative and confidence to independently move work forward while remaining highly collaborative.