Senior Associate

Description:

Is the opportunity to join a culture where “We Do the Right Thing,” and “We Courageously Shape Our Future Together” important to you? If so, Guardian is seeking a resolute motivated individual to join our team as a Total Rewards Senior Associate.

This role is a senior individual contributor within the HR/Talent & Culture function, serving as a key partner to the Head of Total Rewards in driving the delivery of strategic initiatives while supporting operational excellence across the Total Rewards organization. This role is designed to provide sustained focus on the Total Rewards strategic roadmap—leading and coordinating complex projects, advancing priority initiatives, and ensuring momentum is maintained amid day‑to‑day demands.

In addition, the role acts as a flexible, high‑impact resource during peak periods in the annual cycle, providing experienced support across compensation and benefits teams as needed. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you bring strong project leadership, analytical expertise, and executive‑ready communication skills to translate strategy into action and support informed decision‑making at the senior leadership level.

You will:

Strategy Development and Execution:
 

• Serve as a primary owner of strategic Total Rewards initiatives, ensuring focus, progress, and delivery across a multi‑year roadmap.
• Lead complex projects including program design, transformation efforts, and governance enhancements.
• Establish project plans, milestones, and success measures; proactively manage risks and dependencies.
• Maintain momentum on strategic priorities while supporting ongoing operational excellence.
   

Executive & Leadership Enablement:
 

• Prepare materials for executive leadership including analyses, presentations, and recommendations.
• Synthesize complex inputs into clear, executive‑ready narratives.
• Support leadership decision‑making through concise insights and trade‑off analysis.
   

Operational Support & Flex Capacity:
 

• Provide hands‑on support during peak periods of the annual Total Rewards cycle.
• Function as an extra pair of hands to address surge workloads and unblock execution.
• Partner with Compensation and Benefits leaders to flex support as needed.
   

Analytics & Insight Generation:
 

• Develop advanced Excel‑based models and analytical tools.
• Conduct workforce, market, and financial analyses to inform strategy.
• Translate data into compelling insights for senior stakeholders.
   

Continuous Improvement & Thought Partnership:
 

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Head of Total Rewards.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, governance, and project execution.
• Stay current on Total Rewards and Talent & Culture trends.
   

You have:
 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field or equivalent experience. Professional certifications (e.g., CCP, CEBS) preferred.
• 6–10+ years of progressive experience in Total Rewards, Compensation, Benefits, or a related Talent & Culture specialty.
• Experience leading complex, cross‑functional initiatives and supporting senior leaders.
• Strong project leadership, advanced Excel and analytical skills, executive‑level communication, sound business judgment, and ability to operate independently in a fast‑paced environment.