Total Rewards Manager – U.S. & International Oversight
- Join a leader in mining & metals organization offering outstanding personal development & global career opportunities
- United States – California – Santa Clarita or Greater Los Angeles Area, CA (Boron, CA also supported)
- For California based roles the expected annual salary range is $146,800 – $201,850
About the Role
We are seeking a Total Rewards Manager to join our people team. This role leads the design, governance, and delivery of benefits programs across the U.S. business (~950 employees), while providing oversight and coordination for benefits programs across international locations. In addition, the role provides leadership across compensation and incentive programs through a dedicated specialist. You will ensure programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with business strategy, while delivering a strong employee experience across a multi-country workforce.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead U.S. benefits programs, including health, welfare, retirement wellness, and leave
- Manage benefits programs supporting both union (CBA-based) and non-union employee populations, including retiree benefits
- Oversee defined benefit (pension) and defined contribution (401(k)) retirement programs
- Ensure ERISA compliance and fiduciary governance of benefit plans
- Ensure compliance with Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements, including reporting obligations and monitoring legislative changes
- Oversee and coordinate benefits across international locations for smaller international teams (France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, China, Singapore, India, Brazil, and Japan)
- Ensure that the benefits policies and programs support the strategic direction of the business.
- Manage brokers, insurers, and administrators; drive performance and continuous improvement
- Provide advisory support to HR, leadership, and benefit committees on plan design and complex issues
- Collaborate with Finance, Legal, HR Operations, and external partners
- Provide Total Rewards leadership, including oversight of compensation programs delivered through a specialist
- Oversee salary structure design, market benchmarking, and annual merit and pay review processes
- Oversee short- and long-term incentive programs, ensuring alignment with business strategy and market competitiveness
What You'll Bring
- Commitment to safety and employee wellbeing
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, HR, or related field
- 8–12+ years of experience in benefits or total rewards management
- Strong expertise in U.S. benefits and retirement plans, including DB and DC plans
- Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, and related compliance requirements
- Experience managing union and non-union benefit programs
- Experience across compensation, including salary structures, benchmarking, and incentive programs
- Proven experience in vendor management and program design
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment
- Occasional travel as required
What We Offer
- Safety-focused and inclusive work environment
- Competitive salary with annual incentive eligibility
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
- Strong retirement programs, including company contributions and 401(k) matching
- Generous paid time off and leave programs
- Wellbeing and employee support programs
- Learning and career development opportunities
Why Join Us
This role offers the opportunity to lead total rewards for a large U.S. workforce while shaping programs across a global footprint, with direct impact on employee experience and business performance.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.
Respect and Inclusion
Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.
Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.
R59451
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs—striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.
Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.
Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.
Start your application
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2022 – PresentManager Projects – Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler – 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Working in one of our function’s teams
We supply the materials that drive human progress. You make it all possible.
With business operations that stretch from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Perth, Western Australia, we have exciting opportunities in virtually every discipline imaginable. From HR to marketing, finance to technology, infrastructure to supply chain, and much more, the opportunities are endless. Join us and enjoy:
Our application process
01
Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
02
Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
03
Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
04
Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
05
Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.