Senior Compensation Specialist

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded) , this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package that can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page and annual salary range which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location

Work will primarily take place at Enterprise Square.

This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

About Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment:

“Hire great people and give them freedom to be awesome.” — Andrew Mason

Thriving organizations are built on people. The Human Resources, Health Safety and Environment (HRHSE) portfolio is composed of exceptional people creating a people focused culture to support the institution's vision.  

We are committed to questioning the status quo, driving excellence, and leading with purpose. We lead with purpose in creating a workplace culture that supports the institution in strengthening its core teaching, research, community engagement, and student enrichment experience. 

HRHSE is a values based portfolio; we incorporate our values of trust, accountability, relationship building and safety in everything we do. Our employees are committed to living our values and are grounded in the conviction that leadership should be demonstrated, encouraged and supported at all levels of the institution. 

In HRHSE, we are made up of six teams that are responsible for providing the highest quality services to our campus community; Total Rewards, Talent Management, Organizational Development, Health, Safety and Environment, Employee and Labour Relations and HR Service Partnerships. 

Join our practical, results-driven, energized, and engaged team and see firsthand how we live our values, drive change and lead with purpose! 

Position

Reporting to the Director, Total Rewards, the Senior Compensation Specialist will play a crucial role in the design, implementation and management of compensation policies, programs and practices which align with the University of Alberta’s compensation philosophy and strategic plan.

You will be responsible for ensuring that our compensation strategies align with industry standards, support our organizational goals, and attract and retain top talent.

This role will advise University leadership and Human Resource Partners on the administration of compensation policies, programs and practices in a consistent and equitable manner, ensuring all actions are compliant with collective agreements, legislation and best practice.

If you have a strong background in compensation analysis, a deep understanding of compensation program design, and a passion for driving fair and competitive compensation practices, we invite you to apply for this challenging and rewarding position.

Duties

• Promote the general understanding of the University of Alberta’s compensation philosophy, policies, and practices 
• Provide expert level advice and guidance to HR Service Partners and University leaders with respect to the University’s compensation programs, policies and procedures.
• Lead the development of creative compensation program solutions for unique business challenges.
• Develop and implement comprehensive compensation programs, policies, and procedures for the University, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation and best practices
• Partner and collaborate with leaders, HR Service Partners and Centre of Expertise (COEs) and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders across the University.
• Build, maintain and advance salary management guidelines for various employee types and ensure current practices are aligned
• Develop and maintain a salary/market survey strategy for the University of Alberta. Lead the completion of various salary surveys.
• Create data frameworks to guide compensation analysis
• Lead Total Rewards market research and review of industry best practices to help design a competitive total rewards framework.
• Lead complex analysis, modelling and forecasting on total rewards programs, develop reporting and strategic insights.
• Conduct regular market research and benchmarking to evaluate the competitiveness of our compensation programs and make recommendations for adjustments as needed
• Lead and conduct detailed market analysis and modelling, identify key trends, and provide sound recommendations. Create compelling and influential data visualizations/storytelling and strategic insights.
• Conduct job evaluations and apply expertise to accurately evaluate positions with clear and sound rationale.
• Lead and manage annual salary review cycle
• Lead the annual salary review process, including developing salary increase budgets, conducting salary equity analyses, and preparing reports for executive review
• Participate in salary surveys and maintain relationships with external compensation survey providers
• Provide advice and supporting data to collective agreement negotiations
• Analyze compensation problems or issues to identify underlying causes and systemic issues
• Provide holistic solutions to multidimensional problems, situations or issues where no precedents may exist
• Review requests for compensation exceptions (e.g., salary or market adjustments) and ensure compliance with policy and alignment with precedent
• Identify trends in compensation data, generates ideas and tests potential solutions
• ead and execute projects on the development and maintenance of compensation strategies, programs and policies
• Provide expertise and guidance on complex compensation issues
• Stay current on industry trends and emerging practices in compensation and make proactive recommendations to enhance our programs
• Collaborate with HRIS and data analytics teams to ensure accurate and up-to-date compensation data and reporting

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation is an asset.
• 5-10 years of related and progressive experience required
• Demonstrated experience leading a strategic compensation design function for a large organization
• In-depth knowledge of compensation concepts, principles, practices, and applicable legislation
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to analyze complex data sets and present findings to diverse audiences
• Proficiency in using compensation survey tools and market data sources
• Demonstrated experience in conducting job evaluations and salary benchmarking
• Distinguished in establishing effective relationships with executive leaders, colleagues in Finance and Human Resource teams.Keen presenter of complex compensation concepts and design elements
• Ability to take complex data and create compelling analysis. Tell the “story” behind the data.
• Ability to devise, design and implement custom compensation surveys
• Ability to provide coaching and technical guidance and training to staff
• Exceptional communicator with the ability to influence a broad and diverse range of stakeholders through effective relationships, verbal and written communication
• Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with team members and stakeholders
• Ability to acknowledge and work through conflict effectively
• Experience in an Academic or public sector environment is an asset
• Adaptability to rapidly changing demands

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with the Korn Ferry Hay Job Evaluation Methodology

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.