DIRECTOR OF COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Job Duties
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, the Director of Compensation & Benefits is a key member of the Human Resources leadership team and serves as the Universities of Wisconsin's lead strategist and subject matter expert for compensation, workforce analytics, classification structures, and total rewards administration.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Lead the development, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of compensation strategies, policies, and programs across the Universities of Wisconsin.
Oversee the maintenance and administration of compensation structures, salary schedules, title frameworks, and classification systems to support institutional needs and workforce objectives.
Direct compensation studies, market benchmarking initiatives, salary analyses, and labor market assessments to support recruitment, retention, and workforce competitiveness.
Lead pay equity reviews and compensation analyses to identify trends, inform decision-making, and support equitable compensation practices.
Partner with UW university leaders and human resources professionals to provide consultation and guidance on compensation, classification, organizational structure, and workforce planning matters.
Develop and maintain workforce analytics, dashboards, reports, and metrics that provide meaningful insights for executive leadership and support data-driven decision-making.
Analyze workforce trends related to recruitment, retention, turnover, compensation, and employee demographics and provide strategic recommendations based on findings.
Monitor emerging compensation and workforce trends, best practices, and regulatory developments and recommend appropriate actions.
Leadership & External Relations
Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development for staff responsible for compensation, analytics, benefits, and retirement administration.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and customer service excellence.
Represent the Universities of Wisconsin in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Employee Trust Funds, and other state agencies on compensation, benefits, and workforce-related matters.
Convene and participate in committees, workgroups, and strategic initiatives related to compensation, classification, benefits, retirement, and workforce planning.
Provide strategic oversight and guidance on compensation and benefits matters related to collective bargaining agreements, ensuring compliance with negotiated contract provisions and applicable laws and policies.
Build and maintain strong relationships with university leaders, human resources professionals, governance groups, and external stakeholders.
Benefits, Leave & Retirement Administration
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for benefits, retirement, leave, and well-being programs across the Universities of Wisconsin.
Oversee the administration of insurance programs, retirement programs, and leave structures for employees across all employment categories.
Lead the strategic oversight of the Universities of Wisconsin's centralized benefits counseling function to ensure exceptional customer service and support.
Evaluate benefits administration processes and service delivery models and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and employee experience.
Oversee the development of resources, communication strategies, and educational programs that help employees understand and maximize the value of available benefits and retirement offerings.
Promote effective administration and communication of benefits and total rewards programs across the Universities of Wisconsin.