--- title: 'Sr. Director, HR Ops & Total Rewards at OpenGov' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-director-hr-ops-total-rewards-opengov-chicago-vahez31wg7xn' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-14' --- # Sr. Director, HR Ops & Total Rewards at OpenGov - **Company:** OpenGov - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Compensation:** $240k–$300k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-07-20 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/opengov/c27505a9-6b27-410a-b529-32bf1aba879a ## Job description OpenGov is the leader in AI and ERP solutions for local and state governments in the U.S. More than 2,000 cities, counties, state agencies, school districts, and special districts rely on the OpenGov Public Service Platform to operate efficiently, adapt to change, and strengthen the public trust. Category-leading products include enterprise asset management, procurement and contract management, accounting and budgeting, billing and revenue management, permitting and licensing, and transparency and open data. These solutions come together in the OpenGov ERP, allowing public sector organizations to focus on priorities and deliver maximum ROI with every dollar and decision in sync. Learn about OpenGov’s mission to power more effective and accountable government and the vision of high-performance government for every community at [OpenGov.com](http://OpenGov.com). Job Summary OpenGov is looking for a Senior Director of HR Operations & Total Rewards to serve as the strategic and operational architect of our HR function's infrastructure. This is a multi-function leadership role spanning Total Rewards (compensation, equity, and benefits), HR and Talent Acquisition Operations, Analytics, Immigration and Compliance. You should see AI not as a tool to bolt on, but as the core way HR works. You will build and lead HR Operations and Total Rewards at OpenGov with an AI Native mindset. This means embedding large language models, machine learning, and autonomous systems into every process you touch. This is the infrastructure role for the HR function and we’re redefining what that means. We’re not looking for someone who builds efficient processes for process’s sake. We’re looking for someone who builds smart infrastructure: AI-native where possible, low-handoff by design, and oriented toward empowering managers and employees to self-serve. ## Responsibilities - Champion an AI-native approach to HR operations and total rewards, identifying and piloting AI-enabled tools across benefits, compensation, reporting, and people analytics to reduce manual work, improve data quality, and free the team to focus on higher-value work. Drive toward a self-service model where managers and employees get answers, complete transactions, and access their data without routing through HR. - Partner with Enterprise Technology and AI Ops to embed AI into HRIS workflows, analytics pipelines, and compliance processes. Current stack includes Workday, Ashby, and Claude Enterprise, deployed internally for manager coaching and HR self-service. - Define and drive OpenGov's global Total Rewards strategy, including compensation philosophy, job architecture, salary structures, equity programs, and benefits design, ensuring market competitiveness, internal equity, and alignment with company growth stage. - Own global benefits strategy in a self insured environment, renewals, and vendor management for US and India. Build self service benefits experiences powered by LLMs so employees get instant answers on coverage, costs, and claims. - You should bring deep Workday expertise on the operations side: benefits administration, compensation management, personnel data integrity, and audits. You know how to configure Workday to run comp cycles cleanly, manage benefits open enrollment, maintain clean headcount records, and run the audits that keep HR honest. - Own the annual compensation lifecycle end-to-end: merit planning, market benchmarking, offer modeling, promotion analysis, executive compensation reviews, and board-level comp reporting. - Serve as the HR function’s primary point of accountability for HR systems, partnering closely with Enterprise Technology on HRIS configuration, data integrity, and platform decisions, providing business requirements, subject matter expertise, and end-user perspective to ensure HR technology investments deliver against people operations needs. - Support the Talent Acquisition function from an operations standpoint, owning ATS configuration and administration (Ashby), building and maintaining TA reporting and dashboards, and ensuring the recruiting tech stack integrates cleanly with broader HR systems and data workflows. - Ensure HR compliance and risk management across policy governance, handbook maintenance, EEO and AAP reporting, required training programs, and multi-state employment law adherence. - Build and deliver the workforce data and analytics infrastructure that powers the broader HR function, equipping HRBPs, the CAO, and ELT with the headcount, compensation, and operational insights needed to drive fast, confident decisions. Move beyond reporting: build predictive and actionable analytics including attrition signals, and comp equity monitoring. - Lead and develop a high-performing team of HR operations and compensation professionals, modeling clear priorities, strong execution standards, and a culture of continuous improvement. - Represent the HR function as a strategic partner to business leaders, Finance and Legal, aligning compensation, benefits, and headcount planning with headcount modeling and regulatory requirements. ## Requirements & Preferred Experience ## Requirements - 10+ years of progressive HR experience with deep expertise in at least two of the following: compensation design, HR operations, HR systems, or total rewards strategy. - Proven track record leading compensation programs at scale, including salary structure design, equity compensation, executive pay, and annual review cycle management. - Experience in a senior leadership role with direct team management and cross-functional executive influence. - Strong working knowledge of HRIS platforms (Workday required). You can define business requirements, evaluate capabilities, and partner with IT/Engineering on implementation without needing a translator. - Demonstrated ability to build and deliver people analytics and workforce reporting to senior and executive audiences. - Deep understanding of multi-state HR compliance, including EEO, FLSA, and state-specific employment regulations. - Demonstrated fluency with AI-enabled tools in an HR context, not just awareness, but hands-on experience evaluating, piloting, or deploying AI or automation to improve how a team operates. - Builder's mindset: comfortable moving from strategy to implementation. You know the difference between a process that adds value and a process that adds headcount. - Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent work experience. ## Preferred Experience - Background in SaaS and / or high-growth technology. - Experience managing people programs for global teams, including India or international regions. - Hands-on experience with agentic AI tools, workflow automation platforms (e.g., Claude, TextQL), or AI-native HRIS/TA tooling. - Familiarity with LLM-based tools for HR use cases — internal chatbots, policy assistants, manager coaching tools. - SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or CCP certification. - Exposure to M&A people integration, including due diligence through Day 1 and beyond. - MBA or advanced degree in a related field. Compensation: Chicago, IL: $240,000 - $265,000 On target ranges above include base plus a portion of variable compensation that is earned based on company and individual performance. The final compensation will be determined by a number of factors such as qualifications, expertise, and the candidate’s geographical location. Why OpenGov? A Mission That Matters. At OpenGov, public service is personal. We are passionate about our mission to power more effective and accountable government. Government that operates efficiently, adapts to change, and strengthens public trust.  Some people say this is boring.  We think it’s the core of our democracy. Opportunity to Innovate The next great wave of innovation is unfolding with AI, and it will impact everything—from the way we work to the way governments interact with their residents. Join a trusted team with the passion, technology, and expertise to drive innovation and bring AI to local government. We’ve touched 2,000 communities so far, and we’re just getting started. A Team of Passionate, Driven People This isn’t your typical 9-to-5 job; we operate in a fast-paced, results-driven environment where impact matters more than simply clocking in and out. Our global team of 800+ employees is united in our commitment to challenge the status quo. OpenGov is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dubuque, Dallas, and Pune. A Place to Make Your Mark We pride ourselves on our performance-based culture, where every employee is encouraged to jump in head-first and take action to help us improve. If you have a great idea, we want to hear it. Excellent performance is recognized and rewarded, and we love to promote from within. ## Benefits That Work for You Enjoy an award-winning workplace with the benefits to match, including: - Comprehensive healthcare options for individuals and families - Flexible vacation policy and paid company holidays - 401(k) with company match - Paid parental leave, wellness stipends, and HSA contributions - Professional development and growth opportunities - A collaborative office environment with weekly catered lunches. ## About OpenGov ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: OpenGov provides a cloud-based platform of AI-enabled software solutions designed to modernize and streamline operations for local and state governments across the United States. - **Entity Type**: Private (acquired by Cox Enterprises in February 2024; previously venture-backed with $178M in total funding) - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States (additional hubs in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Dubuque, and Pune, India) - **Founded**: 2012 - **Founders**: Nate Levine, Dakin Sloss, Joe Lonsdale, Zachary Bookman (Zac Bookman) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Government Technology (GovTech) – cloud software for public sector - **Target customers**: B2G – cities, counties, state agencies across the U.S. - **Mission**: “To power more effective and accountable government” [opengov.com/about/](https://opengov.com/about/) ## Products & Services For each major offering: - **OpenGov Permitting & Licensing**: AI-enabled platform for permits, licenses, inspections, and code enforcement – automates workflows, renewals, and applicant portals. - **OpenGov Enterprise Asset Management**: Tracks infrastructure assets (roads, bridges, water mains, parks) with work order management, lifecycle tracking, GIS integration, and reporting. - **OpenGov Financial Management**: Modern ERP cloud suite including general ledger, accounts payable, budgeting, procurement, and reporting – replaces legacy systems. - **OpenGov Budgeting & Performance**: Tools for operational, capital, and workforce budgeting with transparency dashboards and ERP integration. - **OpenGov Tax & Revenue Collection**: Centralizes tax billing, filing, and payments for business and property taxes. - **OpenGov Procurement & Contract Management**: Workflow automation for the entire procurement lifecycle, from requests to contracts, with AI and compliance controls. - **OpenGov Public Service Platform**: Unified platform integrating all modules, powered by AI, open APIs, and real-time analytics. [opengov.com/](https://opengov.com/) ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: $1.8 billion (acquisition price paid by Cox Enterprises in February 2024) [linkedin.com/company/opengov-inc](https://www.linkedin.com/company/opengov-inc) - **Key Metric**: Total funding raised prior to acquisition: $178 million across multiple rounds (Series B, D, etc.) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, Weatherford Capital, Formation 8, Thrive Capital; early supporters include Marc Andreessen, John Chambers, Laurene Powell Jobs, Scott Cook. Parent company: Cox Enterprises. - **Growth Signals**: Serves 2,000+ communities; 4,500+ software implementations; 1 in 3 Americans receive digital services via OpenGov; 845 employees (+17.3% year-over-year growth); expanded to 9 countries (India, Argentina, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, etc.) [linkedin.com/company/opengov-inc](https://www.linkedin.com/company/opengov-inc) [opengov.com/about/](https://opengov.com/about/) ## Competitive Advantages - **Purpose-built for government**: Every product is designed specifically for local and state government workflows, not adapted from enterprise software. - **AI-enabled automation**: Embedded AI and automation reduce manual work, delays, and errors across permitting, procurement, and financial management. - **Integrated platform**: Single, secure platform with open APIs and robust integrations, replacing siloed legacy systems. - **Deep domain expertise**: Professional services team includes former public servants who understand government operations and best practices. - **Scale and trust**: Over 2,000 communities served and a proven track record of 4,500+ implementations. [opengov.com/](https://opengov.com/) ## Strategic Focus - **Current priorities**: Continue modernizing government operations through AI and automation; expand the number of communities served (targeting every U.S. community); deepen integration with existing ERP systems and third-party tools. - **Direction for growth**: Leverage the partnership with Cox Enterprises to scale faster, invest in product innovation, and broaden the platform’s capabilities to cover more government functions. [opengov.com/about/](https://opengov.com/about/) ## Why Work Here - **Culture highlights**: Mission-driven environment focused on public impact. Core values include “We Do What We Say We’ll Do”, “We Go the Extra Mile”, “We Care, A Lot”, “We Challenge the Status Quo”, and “Win As One”. Team celebrates wins with Gong ringing, ping pong nights, and sports events. - **Remote/hybrid/office policy**: Strong in-office culture – “Work from Work is a Perk” and hubs foster face-to-face collaboration. Offices in San Francisco (dog-friendly), Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Dubuque, and Pune. - **Notable perks**: Dog-friendly SF office, collaborative workspaces, team outings, and a focus on learning and growth. Engineering roles emphasize innovation and autonomy. - **Impact**: Employees directly contribute to making government more efficient and accountable, touching the lives of millions of Americans. [opengov.com/careers/](https://opengov.com/careers/) ## Sources 1. [OpenGov Careers Page](https://opengov.com/careers/) 2. [OpenGov About Page](https://opengov.com/about/) 3. [OpenGov Main Website](https://opengov.com/) 4. [OpenGov LinkedIn Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/opengov-inc) 5. 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