COMPANY SUMMARY

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observation Deck, ranked the #1 Top Attraction in New York City for the fifth consecutive year in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of March 31, 2026, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 8.0 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 743 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Total Rewards will be responsible for leadership of the design, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of the organization’s Total Rewards program, which includes payroll/compensation, benefits, 401K, and other related areas. This position will dually report to the EVP, Chief Financial Officer and SVP, HR Strategy & Operations, but will require collaboration and buy-in from all departments. This position requires a proven track record with the ability to manage direct reports, deliver measurable business outcomes, ensure compliance, and drive efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead payroll operations and administration to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance

Maintain oversight of the Company’s 401K plan including vendor assessment, negotiations, and regulatory matters

Ensure accurate budgeting and recording of compensation related costs and review the recurring monthly compensation accounting entries posted by Corporate Accounting

Maintain organized database of all aspects of compensation (history of salary, bonus, equity grants) and ensure accurate record-keeping (including all offer letters, grant documents)

Execute annual and mid-year compensation processes in partnership with SVP, HR Strategy & Operations

Ability to lead successful transition to new Total Rewards/HRIS system

Direct all aspects of benefits strategy and administration, including health and wellness programs and retirement plans

Manage the process to obtain, process, and communicate annual compensation (Cash/Equity) updates including valuation of equity awards

Develop compensation budgets, forecast spend and build a process to ensure our annual and mid-year changes fall within budget and are aligned to business goals; Prepare and document thoughtful analysis to summarize variances against budgets and forecasts to aid in decision making

Work closely with the HR department to ensure accurate budgeting and recording of compensation related costs and prepare the recurring monthly compensation accounting entries

Oversee and execute pay equity analysis with outside vendors as needed

Ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements (e.g., ERISA, GDPR, WARN, TUPE)

Partner with IT and cross-functional stakeholders to maximize the use of HRIS, analytics tools, and automation technologies

Drive continuous improvement and transformation initiatives across HR, enabling greater transparency, consistency, and efficiency

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Seamlessly integrate into our existing payroll and benefits processes, with an intent to enhance efficiency and ensure compliance

Employee engagement and customer service is at the forefront of our culture and must be modeled in this department

Anticipate future trends and align programs with long-term organizational goals

Collaboration is needed to build trust and alignment across teams and with employees

Deliver scalable, compliant, and efficient HR solutions

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES

Experience with Union employee payroll is required; Experience with SEIU Local 32BJ, IUOE Local 94, and IUOE Local 30 preferred

Extensive experience with HRIS/Payroll systems; ADP Workforce Now preferred

Practical experience with financial analysis

Strong communication, leadership, and collaboration skills

Proficient in accounting systems (preferably Yardi Voyager)

Strong skills in Excel and Microsoft Office

Executive compensation experience preferred

CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) certification a strong asset

Experience with process automation software such as Alteryx and/or Power BI highly preferred

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 10 years of professional experience working in an organization with exposure to multiple departments, service line leaders and teams

Minimum of 6 years of experience with payroll management and compensation

Minimum of 6 years in a supervisory role

Bachelors degree required; MBA is a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a collaborative work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. As a Great Place to Work® Certified employer, we are committed to maintaining our positive work culture where employees are engaged and can grow and develop. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -

Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently

Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT

Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work

Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude

Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder

Ethical – you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture

Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through

BENEFITS

Competitive base salary and bonus

Health/Dental/Vision insurance

Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance

Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program

Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs

401(k) with 100% match up to 5%

Paid parental leave

Pre-tax transit accounts

Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support

WELL-BEING

Generous paid time off

Flex remote work time

Flex Summer Fridays

Employee engagement programs

Volunteer time off

Continuing education

Complimentary Empire State Building Observatory access

Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits

Employee Discount Programs

$175,000 - $200,000 a year

Salary is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, job location, size of property where applicable, and/or certifications. In addition to your base salary, ESRT provides discretionary annual bonuses.

ESRT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, reproductive choices, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue hardship for the Company are available for applicants and employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Director, Total Rewards

Job Description - Director, Total Rewards