Director, Total Rewards

This position requires in-person collaboration up to five days a week. This arrangement is subject to change based on business requirements.

Why WestJet:

Since our story took off in 1996, WestJet has strived to enrich the lives of everyone in our world; a career with us is no exception. We’re proud to be one of Canada’s most admired and respected corporate cultures and continuously aim for the highest standards of service and success.

Join us, this is where your career story takes off.

Overview of role: 
 
Reporting to the VP, People, this role is accountable for the design of the WestJet Group Total Rewards strategy.  

Leading teams of compensation, benefits, and savings/pension professionals, the role ensures the design, development, and operational execution of all programs and plans aligned with WestJet's strategic objectives. The role ensures these programs are progressive, legislatively compliant, and financially sustainable over the long term.

This role is accountable for developing a comprehensive Group Total Rewards strategy by collaborating with the business to ensure programs support the organization's culture and strategic objectives. Drive compensation, benefits, and savings/pension strategy across all employee groups, from executives to frontline employees, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Identify opportunities to simplify plans wherever possible while ensuring long-term value and cost effectiveness.

Key deliverables include:

• Lead Total Rewards teams and maintain and further a culture of effective collaboration with other teams within the People function.  

• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders by delivering subject matter expertise through a team of high-performing, experienced professionals.  

• Support CBA negotiations for both compensation and benefit provisions. Implement negotiated CBA provisions into plan rules and systems requirements, including retroactive adjustments where applicable.  

• Oversee the organization's pay equity program, including plan development and maintenance, stakeholder collaboration, pay equity analyses, and implementation of required adjustments, ensuring ongoing legislative compliance and group-wide equitable compensation practices.  

• Deliver executive compensation and incentive plan materials to the Compensation & Governance Committee, enabling informed Board-level decisions that support attraction, retention, and pay-for-performance principles.  

• Oversee benefit renewals, funding arrangements, claims trends, insurer performance, eligibility administration, and escalations.  

• Perform comprehensive financial modeling to generate actionable insights and deliver strategic recommendations to business leaders. Identify key cost drivers and uncover opportunities for cost containment. Contribute to Total Rewards benchmarking initiatives and monitor industry trends to inform future program design and strategy.  

• Oversee strategic partnerships with external consultants, actuaries, carriers, and benefits providers to ensure service excellence, cost effectiveness, and alignment with organizational objectives.  

• Continuous Improvement & IPO Readiness: Lead and implement projects involving technology-driven solutions and develop change management plans to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Total Rewards programs. Monitor program performance to ensure Total Rewards offerings are comprehensive, financially responsible, and support the organization's successful transition from a private to a public company.  

• Oversee the development of engaging communication materials and information sessions for leaders and employees, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the organization's total compensation philosophy and practices.  

• Stay informed of legislative requirements that affect compensation, benefits, pension, and savings policies, and develop action plans to ensure governance, compliance, and implementation.  

• Participate in and lead project work that may involve the development or redesign of programs to support the WestJet Group's growth plans or meet governance requirements.  

• Lead group-wide Total Rewards transformations and change initiatives as required. 

Experience and qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in a related discipline (Human Resources, Finance, or Commerce).  

• 15+ years of direct experience leading Total Rewards programs and teams in a large, complex organization, including experience in privately held and/or publicly traded enterprises.  

• Demonstrated ability to build highly effective and collaborative working relationships at all levels of the organization.  

• Dedicated team player who is highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently while taking initiative.  

• Experience with labour bargaining and operationalizing associated collective agreements from a Total Rewards perspective.  

• Demonstrated experience in the administration, communication, and implementation of Total Rewards programs.  

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proven track record of completing complex data analysis and transforming it into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.  

• Ability to work in a time-sensitive environment with strong attention to detail.  

• Well-developed communication skills, along with a high degree of discretion, tact, and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive matters.  

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.  

• CCP and/or CEBS designation considered an asset. 

The benefits of being a WestJetter:

WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:

• A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
• Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
• Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs 

Think we’re a great fit? Apply now!

About WestJet Group of Companies 

WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Since the Sunwing Airlines integration in 2025, more than 15,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to our global network of more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. The WestJet Group is a major Canadian employer and includes WestJet Airlines, WestJet Encore and Sunwing Vacations Group. We’re Canada’s leading value airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.

Our safety promise

At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. Safety and security are shared responsibilities all team members are expected to use safe work practices to ensure their well-being and the safety of others. WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet's operations at risk. All roles that are identified as Safey-Sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet's Alcohol and Drug Policy.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We embrace what makes each of us unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. We welcome diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds so if you're passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply – even if you don't meet every qualification listed. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity and accessibility throughout the selection process. If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at talent@westjet.com.

We value the time and effort you put into your application. Our recruitment process is highly competitive and while every applicant will receive communication regarding their application status, only those selected to move forward will be contacted with next steps. If this role isn’t the right fit, we encourage you to explore future opportunities with us.

For more information about everything WestJet, please westjet.com/aboutus.

If you wish to withdraw your application or request that your personal information be deleted, please contact us at talent@westjet.com.