Director, Total Rewards & People Operations

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in August 2025. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Director, Total Rewards & People Operations, reporting to the SVP, People, to lead the development, implementation, and management of our total rewards strategy, including compensation, benefits, and employee recognition programs. This leader will also oversee the People Operations team, ensuring efficient processes and compliance across HR activities, and leading people analytics to influence data-driven decisions that support Vast to achieve its business goals and support employees’ needs. This role requires a strategic leader with deep expertise in compensation and benefits, a strong understanding of HR process, operations, and systems, a collaborative and customer-centric partnership mentality, and an appreciation for data integrity and analyses. 

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

• Total Rewards Strategy 

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive total rewards strategy that supports organizational objectives and attracts, retains, and motivates top talent 
  • Oversee the design and implementation of compensation structures, including base salary, variable pay (if applicable), and short/long-term incentive programs 
  • Lead benefits strategy, including health and wellness programs, 401(k) plans, and other employee benefits
  • Ensure that reward programs are competitive and aligned with market trends and regulatory requirements 
  • Drive transparency and education of Vast’s total rewards program with managers and employees alike

• People Operations 

  • Manage HR operations to ensure effective administration of HR programs and services, including HRIS management, employee records, and compliance 
  • Optimize HR processes and systems to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness 
  • Collaborate with HR business partners and leaders to support HR initiatives and address operational challenges
  • Partner effectively with key vendors to drive cost, process, and time efficiencies for HR processes and systems

• People Analytics

  • Define Vast’s HR reporting, metrics, governance, analytics, and data integrity efforts, leveraging data analytics platforms to present data accurately and intuitively
  • Lead on HR reporting, metrics, governance, analytics, and data integrity, utilizing a variety of data analytics platforms to present data clearly and accurately in a user-friendly format
  • Support leadership by providing critical interpretation of data, leading with innovative analysis and communication of information and insights

• Leadership & Management

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of HR professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence 
  • Drive cross-functional projects and initiatives to support the HR function and organizational goals 
  • Provide guidance and support to senior leadership and C-Suite members on total rewards and HR operations matters 

• Compliance & Reporting

  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations 
  • Develop and deliver regular reports and metrics on compensation, benefits, and HR operations to senior leadership and stakeholders

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Collaborate with external vendors and consultants to benchmark compensation and benefits, and to stay abreast of industry best practices 
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on total rewards and HR operations strategy and execution 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field 
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in total rewards and HR operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role 

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Deep knowledge of compensation and benefits principles, practices, and regulatory requirements 
• Strong experience with HRIS systems and HR operatio