We are seeking a Head of Total Rewards to design, build, and lead the enterprise-wide compensation and benefits strategy for BigBear.ai. This is a high-impact, senior role for an experienced Total Rewards leader who thrives in dynamic, high-growth environments — particularly those at the intersection of technology, defense, and innovation.
Reporting directly to the CHRO, the Head of Total Rewards will serve as a strategic partner to the executive team, ensuring our rewards programs attract and retain exceptional AI, engineering, and mission-critical talent in a highly competitive market. Leveraging and partnering with internal and external resources and stakeholders, this individual will also navigate the unique considerations of a publicly traded government contractor, including clearance-carrying employees, equity compensation, and compliance with federal contracting requirements.
What you will do:
Compensation Strategy & Design
- Develop and execute a holistic compensation philosophy that supports BigBear.ai's talent strategy, competitive positioning, and growth objectives.
- Lead market pricing, job architecture, and salary structure design across all levels — from cleared analysts to senior AI researchers and executives.
- Design and manage sales incentive, short-term incentive (STI) and long-term incentive (LTI) programs, including equity (RSUs, options) for a NYSE-listed company.
- Ensure compensation programs are compliant with SEC regulations, FAR/DFARS requirements for government contractors, and FLSA guidelines.
Benefits & Wellbeing
- Oversee the design, administration, and continuous improvement of health, welfare, retirement, and leave programs.
- Ensure benefits offerings are competitive within both the federal contractor space and the broader technology industry.
- Champion a holistic employee wellbeing strategy — physical, financial, and mental health — aligned with BigBear.ai's culture.
Executive Compensation & Equity
- Provide support for the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on executive pay design, benchmarking, and proxy disclosures.
Analytics & Governance
- Build a data-driven Total Rewards function, leveraging analytics to measure program effectiveness, pay equity, and competitiveness.
- Conduct and manage annual compensation review cycles, including merit, promotion, and equity refresh processes.
- Lead pay equity analysis and remediation programs, ensuring fairness and transparency across the organization.
Leadership & Partnerships
- Lead and develop a high-performing Total Rewards function, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and business partner to HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Finance, Legal, and senior business leaders.
- Integrate acquired company compensation and benefits programs in a timely and thoughtful manner.
What you need to have:
- 12+ years of progressive Total Rewards experience, with at least 4 years in a senior leadership role.
- Deep expertise in compensation design, market pricing, and incentive program management — ideally within a publicly traded company.
- Experience in the government contracting, defense technology, or intelligence community sector strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of executive compensation and experience partnering with Boards and Compensation Committees.
- Strong command of incentive, sales and equity compensation..
- Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, and other compensation regulations as they apply to government contractors.
- Proven ability to use data and analytics to drive compensation and benefits decisions.
- Exceptional executive presence with the ability to influence C-suite stakeholders and present to the Board.
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
What we'd like you to have:
- Master's degree (MBA or MS in HR/Compensation) or professional certifications such as CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) or CEBS.
- Experience managing Total Rewards through M&A integration, including compensation harmonization across acquired entities.
- Prior experience in a high-growth AI, SaaS, or defense technology company.
About BigBear.ai:
BigBear.ai is a leading provider of AI-powered decision intelligence solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. Customers and partners rely on Bigbear.ai’s predictive analytics capabilities in highly complex, distributed, mission-based operating environments. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BigBear.ai is a public company traded on the NYSE under the symbol BBAI. For more information, visit https://bigbear.ai/ and follow BigBear.ai on LinkedIn: @BigBear.ai and X: @BigBearai.
BigBear.ai is an Equal opportunity employer all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.