Total Rewards Manager
Nidec · North America
We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world's dreams, people's dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality.
All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world's and people's tomorrows; the world's first, the world's best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.
Job Summary
Nidec is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric motors, drives, and controls, powering nearly everything that spins and moves, from smartphones and household appliances to electric vehicles, factories, data centers, aircraft, and critical infrastructure.Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Nidec operates more than 300 group companies across 40+ countries, with over 100,000 employees worldwide. Rooted in Japanese craftsmanship and continuous improvement, we combine global capability with local expertise to solve complex challenges and keep the world moving.
Job Description
The Manager, Total Rewards is responsible for the leadership, administration, governance, and continuous improvement of Nidec's U.S. benefits, leave of absence, retirement, and wellness programs. Reporting to the Director, U.S. HR Operations, this role serves as the functional leader for Total Rewards operations and is accountable for ensuring programs are administered effectively, compliantly, and in a manner that supports a positive employee experience.
This role partners closely with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Legal, external vendors, brokers, and service providers to ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and consistent delivery of Total Rewards programs across the organization.
The Manager, Total Rewards provides functional leadership for internal and shared-service resources supporting benefits and leave administration while driving process improvements, vendor performance, and program effectiveness.
What You'll Do
Total Rewards Program Leadership
- Lead the administration and ongoing management of employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, wellness, life insurance, disability, pension, and 401(k) plans.
- Establish annual priorities and operational objectives for Total Rewards programs.
- Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend enhancements that improve employee experience, operational efficiency, and compliance.
- Ensure programs are administered consistently and aligned with organizational objectives.
Benefits & Leave Administration
- Oversee administration of employee benefit and leave programs across all U.S. locations.
- Serve as the escalation point for complex benefits and leave matters.
- Partner with Nidec's leave administrator to ensure effective administration of FMLA, ADA, state paid family and medical leave programs, paid sick leave, and related requirements.
- Ensure employees, managers, and HR partners receive accurate guidance regarding program eligibility, processes, and obligations.
Retirement Program Administration
- Oversee administration of retirement programs, including pension and 401(k) plans.
- Coordinate annual audits, compliance testing, Form 5500 filings, and related activities.
- Partner with vendors, advisors, and internal stakeholders to maintain program effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
- Support employee education and communication related to retirement programs.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Maintain compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, Section 125, FMLA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Oversee required notices, filings, disclosures, and compliance documentation.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, controls, and governance practices supporting Total Rewards programs.
- Support internal audits, external audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance assessments.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess organizational impacts.
Vendor & Service Delivery Management
- Lead relationships with insurance carriers, brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, and external service providers.
- Establish performance expectations and service standards for vendors.
- Review vendor performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive issue resolution.
- Oversee vendor invoicing, billing reconciliation, and contract-related activities.
- Partner with vendors to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and technology enhancements across Total Rewards programs.
- Establish and monitor metrics related to service delivery, compliance, employee experience, and operational performance.
- Ensure accurate administration of employee data across HR systems, benefit platforms, and related technologies.
- Improve scalability, consistency, and effectiveness of program administration.
Functional Leadership
- Provide day-to-day leadership and direction for Total Rewards operations and supporting resources, including shared-service or outsourced support teams.
- Establish priorities, allocate work, and monitor performance of assigned activities and projects.
- Develop processes, documentation, and operating standards that support consistency and service excellence.
- Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, continuous improvement, and customer service.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
- PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, CEBS, or related certification preferred.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in Total Rewards, benefits administration, leave administration, HR operations, or related disciplines.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale benefits, leave, and retirement programs.
- Experience providing leadership to employees, project teams, shared-service resources, vendors, or outsourced support functions.
- Strong working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, state paid leave programs, and related regulations.
- Experience supporting retirement programs, including 401(k) administration, Form 5500 filings, audits, and compliance testing.
- Experience managing brokers, carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365 applications.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong customer service orientation and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, lead change, and drive results.
- Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
What Will Make You Successful
- Strong functional leadership and ownership mindset.
- Expertise in benefits, leave, retirement, and compliance administration.
- Ability to influence and drive results across a matrixed organization.
- Strong vendor management and relationship-building capabilities.
- Commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
- Ability to balance employee experience, compliance, and business needs.
- Strong attention to detail and risk awareness.
Why Join Nidec?
- Lead programs that directly impact the employee experience across the organization.
- Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Legal, and business leaders on high-visibility initiatives.
- Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement within Total Rewards.
- Influence strategy and execution within a global organization.
- Join a collaborative culture focused on innovation, accountability, and employee success.
What Success Looks Like
- Benefits, leave, and retirement programs are administered accurately, efficiently, and compliantly.
- Employees receive exceptional support and guidance regarding Total Rewards programs.
- Vendor relationships are managed effectively and deliver high levels of service.
- Compliance risks are proactively identified and mitigated.
- Operational processes continuously improve through automation, standardization, and governance.
- Total Rewards programs support organizational objectives while enhancing employee experience.
- The Total Rewards function is viewed as a trusted partner by employees, leaders, HR, and external stakeholders.
Additional Job Details
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Nidec
Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Work Shift Schedule
No Soliciting
Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.