SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Xanadu is building quantum computers to solve the world's most challenging problems. The Director, Total Rewards will lead the evolution and day-to-day delivery of Xanadu's global compensation, equity, and benefits programs, reporting to the Chief People Officer.
This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role that combines executive-level partnership with operational execution. You will shape Xanadu's Total Rewards philosophy and build the programs, practices, and governance required as the company scales as a public entity, while ensuring core reward programs operate effectively daily.
Key responsibilities include:
**Total Rewards Strategy & Architecture:** Build reward programs that attract, retain, and motivate exceptional talent while supporting performance, internal equity, and long-term shareholder value. Develop and maintain compensation architecture including job levels, market benchmarks, salary ranges, and geographic differentiation. Balance cash and equity to create a compelling employee value proposition. Translate strategy into scalable policies, programs, and governance. Monitor external developments and recommend changes.
**Executive Compensation & Public Company Governance:** Develop analyses and recommendations for the Compensation Committee on executive compensation, incentive design, benchmarking, and equity programs. Lead executive compensation benchmarking and modeling. Partner with Legal, Finance, and external advisors on disclosure and securities/governance requirements in Canada and the US. Maintain strong compensation governance and controls. Support design of short- and long-term incentive programs aligned with company performance and shareholder value.
**Equity & Long-Term Incentives:** Lead evolution and operation of equity and long-term incentive programs. Develop modeling on equity participation, grant practices, share-pool utilization, dilution, and burn rate. Oversee RSU, stock option, and other equity program administration. Partner with Legal and Finance on governance and public-company requirements. Ensure employees understand equity program value and mechanics.
**Global Compensation & Benefits:** Lead annual compensation processes including salary reviews, promotions, incentive planning, and bonus payouts. Provide hands-on compensation advice to People team, leaders, and Talent Acquisition. Establish governance for compensation decisions. Lead assessment and evolution of health, welfare, retirement, and wellness programs. Manage Total Rewards vendors and consultants. Ensure compliance with pay transparency, pay equity, and regulatory requirements. Partner on global mobility and international employment matters.
**Analytics, Operations & Infrastructure:** Develop reporting on compensation costs, equity utilization, market competitiveness, and pay equity. Partner with Finance on forecasting, budgeting, and scenario modeling. Ensure Total Rewards data, processes, and controls are accurate, efficient, scalable, and audit-ready. Optimize HiBob as the core People platform and ensure integration with Shareworks, payroll, and supporting systems.
**Requirements:**
- Significant progressive experience in Total Rewards with deep expertise across compensation, equity, executive rewards, and benefits
- Experience operating in a public company environment, including executive compensation, equity programs, and Compensation Committee or Board support
- Direct Total Rewards experience across both Canada and the United States with strong understanding of different compensation, benefits, regulatory, and market environments
- Experience developing compensation architecture, market benchmarking, incentive programs, and equity strategies
- Hands-on experience with Shareworks, including public-company equity administration, grants, reporting, and employee equity programs
- Strong working experience with HiBob or similar HRIS systems to support compensation, employee data, and Total Rewards processes
- Executive presence and communication skills to advise senior leaders and contribute to Board and Compensation Committee discussions
- Collaborative working style with demonstrated ability to partner with Finance, Legal, Talent Acquisition, and business leaders
- Comfort operating in ambiguity and building structure where it does not exist
- Willingness to be hands-on and solve problems
**Preferred Qualifications:**
- Experience in technology, deep-tech, R&D-intensive, or similarly specialized talent environments
- Experience helping an organization mature Total Rewards practices following an IPO or during significant organizational evolution
- Experience balancing cash and equity compensation where equity is an important component of employee value proposition and capital stewardship is critical
- Experience with global mobility, international benefits, and cross-border compensation matters
- CCP, CEP, or other relevant professional designation
