Director, Compensation & Retirement

Join to apply for the Director, Compensation & Retirement role at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) provided pay range This range is provided by District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range $115,320.00 / yr - $130,146.00 / yr Position Overview The Office of Employee Services (OES) is dedicated to enhancing student success by attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent in DC Public Schools. By providing exceptional employee services support to our DCPS team members from recruitment to retirement, we aim to empower our employees to focus on what matters most—our students. With a focus on people-centered support and operational excellence, we leverage talent with a goal of all students being supported by staff who feel valued. OES is comprised of the following teams : The Compensation and Retirement team is responsible for ensuring that DCPS administers compensation policies consistently and in accordance with applicable legislation and collective bargaining agreements. The team also provides support to departments during reorganizations, reductions in force (RIFs), and other personnel actions such as hiring, transfers, promotions and demotions. Additionally, they offer counseling, guidance, and strategic planning for employee retirement. The Benefits and Leave team is responsible for administering employee benefits and managing leave of absence (LOA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) processes. This team also oversees the agency's health, life, tax-sheltered annuity, flexible spending, and supplemental benefits programs. The HR Information Systems and Records Management team ensures systems data integrity, manages the data reporting function, processes personnel actions in PeopleSoft, provides position management support for schools and Central Services, provides time and labor support, and manages the personnel filing system for all DCPS employees. The team also serves as a key HR partner to external agencies like the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), the DC Office of Human Resources (DCHR), and the Office of Pay and Retirement Services (OPRS). The Employee Experience (EE) team provides all new employees with robust onboarding support and leads the development and implementation of resources, workshops, and events designed to support employee needs. EE also supports procedural compliance related to background clearance checks for DCPS employees and manages additional support functions including the Employee Services helpline, walk-in visitor reception, and employee offboarding processes. The Strategic Staffing team is responsible for hiring for all positions in DCPS. The team provides budgeting support, works with principals and supervisors to develop their staffing plans and personnel budgets, and works with employees, principals, and hiring managers on staffing changes. The Instructional Talent Acquisition and Retention division is responsible for the recruitment, selection, and retention efforts for educational aides, related service providers, instructional coaches, and teachers. This work includes nationwide recruitment to ensure that DCPS has excellent educators who are able to serve the diverse needs of our students. The Director of Compensation and Retirement is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and administration of compensation structures, retirement programs, and related employee benefits. This position ensures compliance with federal regulations and DC government policies, while also supporting operational excellence, employee satisfaction, and organizational goals. The Director will lead a team comprised of 5 members, manage escalated issues, and serve as the primary point of contact for compensation and retirement matters across DC Public Schools (DCPS). The Director, Compensation & Retirement will report to the Deputy Chief, HR Operations. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The following statements describe the general nature and scope of work for this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and / or skills required. Other duties may be assigned. Strategic Leadership & Team Management Leads the development and execution of compensation and retirement strategies aligned with DCPS priorities. Establishes and upholds high standards for customer service by guiding staff toward excellence through training, support, and clear expectations, while consistently monitoring performance and holding team members accountable to ensure service quality and consistency. Establishes clear, measurable goals for projects and operational initiatives, and tracks progress towards those goals; translates these into actionable work plans for direct reports. Supervises, mentors, and evaluates staff; supports professional development and training. Identifies and implements best practices in operational and project management across the compensation and retirement team. Continuously assesses workflows and systems to improve efficiency, stakeholder communication, and employee support services. Anticipates and resolves complex challenges to ensure the success of compensation and retirement initiatives. Aligns team resources and priorities with broader DCPS initiatives and strategic goals. Compensation Management Ensure salary structures, compensation packages, and employee benefits align with federal regulations and DC government policies. Conduct employee salary reviews and periodic salary audits. Create and update union and non-union salary schedules in accordance with approved COLAs. Determine eligibility criteria for collective bargaining agreement (CBA)-related payments. Submit severance payment requests to the Office of Pay and Retirement Services (OPRS). Provide second-level review and final approval of special payment requests. Retirement Administration Manage and assign retirement cases to team members. Process retirement applications and facilitate disability retirement claims with vendors. Serve as the primary point of contact for retirement miscoding corrections and settlement cases. Draft and disseminate all retirement-related communications. Troubleshoot and resolve retirement escalations. Operational Oversight Track processing and event schedules ensure deadlines are met throughout the school year. Ensure strong fiscal stewardship in the administration of employee compensation and retirement programs by understanding implications to budget, analyzing cost drivers, identifying opportunities for savings, and implementing strategies that balance financial sustainability with employee satisfaction and compliance. Assist with escalated inbox inquiries and processing as needed. Manage additional compensation programs under the Office of Employee Services (OES). Collaborate with HR and Payroll partners to resolve compensation and benefits issues. Facilitate updates to the DCPS website with current HR information, including CBAs, pay schedules, and processing guidelines. Collaboration and Compliance Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree, ideally in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred). Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in compensation, benefits, or retirement administration, including supervisory experience. Strong knowledge of federal and local employment laws, compensation practices, and retirement systems. Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills. Experience working in a public sector or unionized environment is highly desirable. Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus. DCPS Values STUDENTS FIRST : We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do. COURAGE : We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success. EQUITY : We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds. EXCELLENCE : We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions. TEAMWORK : We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically. JOY : We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other. Seniority level Director Employment type Full-time Job function Human Resources, Accounting / Auditing, and Project Management Industries Human Resources Services J-18808-Ljbffr