VP, Total Rewards (Project Management)
Are you ready to shape the future of talent strategy at one of America's leading media companies? The E.W. Scripps Company is seeking a visionary Vice President, Total Rewards to provide executive-level leadership and guidance to our comprehensive Total Rewards program. You'll oversee the design and delivery of our compensation, executive compensation, and benefits programs while playing an essential role in attracting, retaining, and motivating our multifaceted workforce that includes union and non-union, hourly, salaried, and commission-based employees across creative, operational, and corporate roles.
This strategic leadership position requires a deep understanding of how total rewards supports business strategy in dynamic environments—balancing creative talent needs, operational complexity, and public company expectations. You'll bring deep expertise in compensation governance and benefits design, paired with hands-on operational leadership and a keen sense of market trends.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
Leadership & Collaboration
Lead and develop a high-performing Total Rewards team across compensation, executive compensation, and benefits.
Serve as a strategic advisor to the CHRO and executive leadership team.
Partner cross-functionally with HR business partners, Talent Acquisition, Employee and Labor Relations, and Corporate Communications to ensure alignment and delivery of Total Rewards Programs
Leverage data and analytics to assess program effectiveness and guide decision-making.
Total Rewards Strategy
Develop and execute a cohesive Total Rewards strategy that aligns with our talent philosophy, business goals, and evolving workforce needs.
Shape and communicate a total rewards philosophy that supports creativity, accountability, and performance across all functions.
Provide thought leadership on market competitiveness, employee expectations, and innovations in rewards and benefits.
Compensation and Executive Compensation
Oversee compensation design and execution, including annual planning, salary structures, job architecture, and incentive and equity programs.
Evaluate and refine the compensation strategy and philosophy to ensure it aligns with evolving business needs and market trends.
Collaborate with the broader HR team, as well as Finance, Legal and Investor Relations teams to ensure compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, and accounting conventions and requirements impacting executive compensation arrangements.
Assess the effectiveness of executive compensation programs and their alignment with company goals and shareholder interests.
Ensure fair and equitable compensation practices, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and regulations.
Support labor relations and union negotiations with market data and compensation practice insights.
Benefits
Oversee the design and management of a comprehensive benefits strategy, including health, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefits, ensuring offerings are competitive, cost-effective, and aligned with employee needs.
Collaborate with vendors and consultants to ensure high-quality delivery and regulatory compliance, optimizing benefit offerings and cost-efficiency.
Lead the strategy for clear, engaging employee communications about benefits and well-being.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
BA/BS degree in related field preferred; or equivalent work experience
Generally, 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with significant leadership in compensation and benefits
Proven success in a public company environment, including executive compensation governance and proxy disclosure
Knowledge of legal and regulatory compliance for benefit plans - ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA and Section 125 laws
Experience with corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, etc. And governance-related matters including Sarbanes-Oxley, SEC regulations and other regulatory requirements
Experience supporting a broad range of employee types, including union, hourly, creative, sales, and corporate functions
Experience with Compensation Committees or Boards
WHAT YOU'LL BRING:
Strong business acumen and ability to connect Total Rewards strategy with enterprise and workforce objectives
Track record of operational excellence and hands-on program execution
Skilled at building and leading high-performing teams and vendor relationships
Proficiency in analyzing salary surveys, benchmarking data, and other metrics to make informed decisions and recommendations.
Strong verbal and written communication abilities to effectively articulate total rewards strategies and policies to diverse audiences.
Skills to manage and drive organizational change, especially when implementing new total rewards programs or adjusting existing ones.
The ability to negotiate with vendors and other parties to optimize total rewards offerings.
Competence in managing projects, ensuring that initiatives are completed on time and within budget.
Understanding of budgeting, cost management, and financial forecasting in relation to total rewards.
Familiarity with HR technology and systems that support compensation and benefits management, such as HRIS and payroll systems.
WHERE YOU'LL LIVE, WORK AND PLAY:
Cincinnati offers the perfect blend of Midwestern charm and metropolitan sophistication. Known as the "Queen City," Cincinnati sits beautifully along the Ohio River and boasts a rich cultural heritage with world-class museums, a thriving arts scene, and historic architecture in neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine. The city is home to major league sports teams including the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, plus an incredible culinary scene featuring everything from famous Cincinnati chili to innovative farm-to-table restaurants.
The greater Cincinnati area provides excellent quality of life with affordable housing, top-rated schools, and abundant green spaces including the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and numerous parks along the riverfront. With easy access to major highways and a growing tech sector, Cincinnati combines career opportunities with a strong sense of community. The city's central location makes it a perfect hub for exploring the Midwest, while its revitalized downtown and vibrant neighborhoods offer endless entertainment, shopping, and cultural experiences right at your doorstep.
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If you are a current Scripps employee, please do not apply on this site. Please access our internal career site at Worklife > My Info > View Open Positions at Scripps.
SCRIPPS' COMMITMENT TO A CULTURE THAT CREATES CONNECTION:
At Scripps, we are committed to a culture that reflects the audiences and communities we serve. We are intentional about creating an environment where employees, our audiences and other stakeholders feel valued and inspired to reach their full potential and create connections. To successfully deliver on this commitment, we must understand and reflect the values and perspectives those around us embody. That process begins by looking inward to build and celebrate a respectful workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and connection. By continuing to cultivate an environment where all employees have a fair chance to succeed, are included, valued, and seen, we will strengthen the connections that drive positive business impact and align with our core purpose.
ABOUT SCRIPPS:
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Defy TV, Grit, ION Mystery and Laff. Scripps is the nation's largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps' long-time motto is: “Give light and the people will find their own way.”
As an equal employment opportunity employer, The E.W. Scripps Company and its affiliates do not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, color, religion, age, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, citizenship or national origin, and military membership or veteran status, or on any other basis which would be in violation of any applicable federal, state or local law. Furthermore, the company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the company.
