Senior Director, Total Rewards & HR Operations

Do you want to join a team where the mission is meaningful, the challenges are complex, and you can directly see the results of your hard work? Lundbeck is a global biopharmaceutical company focusing exclusively on brain health. With more than 70 years of experience in neuroscience, we are committed to improving the lives of people with neurological and psychiatric diseases. Lundbeck employees are inspired and driven by our purpose to advance brain health and transform lives. Join us on our journey of growth!

Remote/Commuter Opportunity - Open to candidates within the United States

SUMMARY:

Provides enterprise-wide leadership for Total Rewards and HR Operations in the US, shaping and executing a comprehensive strategy that aligns with the organization’s long-term business objectives and global priorities. This role is accountable for the vision, design, governance, and optimization of compensation, benefits, and HR operations across the United States, while influencing global frameworks as a member of the global compensation advisory group.

Acts as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on total rewards philosophy, workforce investment, and people-related analytics. Ensures total rewards programs are competitive, scalable, compliant, and aligned with business strategy to enable the organization to attract, retain, and motivate top talent. Leads HR operations by leveraging technology and automation to deliver best-in-class data integrity, analytics, and technology capabilities that inform enterprise decision-making and drive organizational performance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Defines and evolves the U.S. total rewards strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals, financial plans, and global frameworks.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to senior executives on compensation, benefits, workforce trends, and human capital investments.
• Establishes a forward-looking total rewards philosophy that differentiates the organization in a competitive talent market.

• Total Rewards Design & Governance

• Oversees the design, implementation, and continuous evolution of base pay, short- and long-term incentives, executive compensation support, health and welfare benefits, and retirement programs.
• Provides governance and oversight for compensation planning, equity programs, and enterprise-wide rewards processes.
• Leads the development and approval of total rewards strategies and annual budgets in partnership with HR and Finance leadership.

• HR Operations & People Analytics

• Sets the vision and operating model for HR operations, ensuring excellence in HRIS, data governance, reporting, and analytics capabilities.
• Champions data-driven decision-making by advancing dashboards, predictive analytics, and workforce insights in partnership with global and U.S. analytics teams.
• Drives optimization, automation, and scalability of HR processes through technology and global shared services.

• Global Collaboration & Influence

• Partners closely with global total rewards leadership to align U.S. programs with enterprise strategy while influencing global design decisions.
• Contributes to global governance, policy setting, and cross-market harmonization efforts.
• Is an active contributor in defining global enterprise incentive and compensation philosophy and program design.

• Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborates with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and Talent Management to ensure rewards programs support workforce planning, talent strategies, and organizational effectiveness.
• Partners with Finance, Legal, and Procurement to align rewards strategies with financial targets, compliance requirements, and vendor management.

• Executive Communication & Change Leadership

• Leads a comprehensive total rewards communication strategy in partnership with Communications, ensuring clarity, transparency, and employee engagement.
• Develops executive and manager-facing materials, including employee and manager training on compensation decisions, pay transparency, and rewards philosophy.
• Drives large-scale change initiatives related to rewards, systems, and organizational transformation.

• Market Intelligence & Innovation

• Continuously evaluates external market trends, competitive practices, and regulatory changes to ensure leading-edge and compliant programs.
• Identifies and implements innovative solutions to enhance employee value proposition and organizational performance.

• Financial Stewardship & Risk Management

• Oversees total rewards budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization strategies.
• Provides enterprise-level analysis of rewards investments and ROI.
• Ensures compliance with all federal and state regulations; proactively identifies and mitigates risk.

• Mergers, Acquisitions & Integration

• Leads total rewards due diligence, assessing financial, operational, and compliance risks.
• Oversees integration of compensation, benefits, and HR systems for acquired entities, ensuring seamless alignment with enterprise standards.

• Vendor & Partner Management

• Establishes vendor strategy and governance, including selection, negotiation, and performance management of consultants, brokers, and service providers.
• Drives value optimization while maintaining high service quality.

• Leadership & Talent Development

• Builds and leads a high-performing team, setting vision, priorities, and development plans.
• Coaches team members, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Accredited Bachelor’s Degree
• 12+ years of experience in benefits and compensation programs
• 8+ years demonstrated experience in developing and administering complex strategies and ability to balance strategic thinking with detailed focus on execution
• 5+ years managing a team of direct reports to include hiring, training, coaching performance and professional development
• Demonstrated experience with overseeing or managing HR operations, systems and tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements (i.e., ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, IRS, ADA, Pay Equity and Pay Transparency, Section 125 regulations, 5500, Health Care Reform, Workers Compensation, Medicare, Social Security, DOL, FLSA)
• Clear, precise and effective verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Results driven with ability to operate independently and proactively
• Proven ability to establish rapport and work across all levels of organization and cultivate relationships to include executive leadership, HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Procurement, Legal and Finance
• Experience with HRIS systems such as Success Factors, BenefitFocus and/or Ceridian Payroll
• Strong business acumen and analytical capabilities
• Ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously with regularly adjusting priorities

PREFFERED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or related field with an emphasis in business or finance
• Knowledge in financial/business analysis techniques highly desirable
• Industry certifications (CCP, CEBS, SPHR, PHR, etc.)
• Experience working with and benchmarking Life Sciences/Specialty Pharmaceutical Organizations
• Demonstrated experience using technology and/or automation to streamline HR operations processes.
• Strong Preference to be based in Deerfield, IL Office

TRAVEL:

• Willingness/Ability to travel up to 10% domestically. International travel may be required.
• If based remotely, additional travel will be required to Deerfield, IL, to meet the needs of the role and the business

The range displayed is a national range, and if selected for this role, may vary based on various factors such as the candidate’s geographical location, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. Salary Pay Range: $235,000 - $295,000 and eligibility for a 30% bonus target based on company and individual performance, and eligibility to participate in the company’s long-term incentive plan. Benefits for this position include flexible paid time off (PTO), health benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision and company match 401k. Additional benefits information can be found on our career site. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. 

#LI-CP1  #LI-Remote

Why Lundbeck

Lundbeck offers a robust and comprehensive benefits package to help employees live well and protect their health, family, and everyday life. Information regarding our benefit offering can be found on the U.S. career site.

Lundbeck is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to disabled veterans and other individuals with disabilities during our employment application process. If, because of a disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit the U.S. career site.

Lundbeck is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law, rule, or regulation. Lundbeck participates in E-Verify.