Associate Director, Compensation Center of Excellence (CCoE)
About The Position
Lead Strategic Compensation at a World Class Institution. Join UW - Madison as Associate Director, Compensation Center of Excellence Are you ready to shape the future of compensation at one of the nation's top public universities? The University of Wisconsin - Madison is seeking a visionary Associate Director to join our Compensation Center of Excellence (CCoE) to help shape strategic compensation practices that drive transparency and market alignment across campus. In this influential leadership role, you will collaborate with HR professionals across a vibrant academic community, guiding compensation strategies that support thousands of employees and advance the university's mission. Why UW - Madison? Be part of a prestigious institution known for innovation, research, and academic excellence. Join a dynamic HR team committed to continuous improvement and inclusive practices. Lead initiatives that shape compensation policies and practices across a complex organization. Enjoy a collaborative culture where your expertise is valued and your impact is far-reaching. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for shaping compensation philosophy and a drive to make a meaningful impact in higher education, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity. This position provides workplace flexibility, with two to three days a week onsite at 21 North Park Street, Madison, WI.
Requirements
- Proven leadership experience in team management and operations oversight
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities to navigate complex HR policies and challenges
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills to align business needs with HR strategies
- Proven ability to manage through ambiguity and change, fostering resilience and adaptability in dynamic environments.
- Skilled in handling difficult conversations with professionalism and empathy
- Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration, fostering a supportive and strategically aligned workplace
- Proficiency in HR technology, including HRIS systems, data analysis tools, and digital platforms for effective operations
- Advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills in navigating complex human resources structures, regulatory compliance, and organizational challenges.
Nice To Haves
- Background in complex organizations with multiple stakeholders, including experience motivating and aligning groups.
- Experience with change management and project leadership to support ongoing HR initiatives
- Leadership experience in position evaluation and management, including compensation analysis, job titling, and alignment with organizational frameworks
- Ability to design and implement training programs that support strategic objectives
- Experience utilizing an HRIS or other HR technology platforms to inform strategy, support decision-making, and leverage data for organizational insight
Responsibilities
- Audits the unit budget and approves expenditures
- Coordinates HR activities, such as recruitment, pay administration programs, new hire orientation, employee benefits, and health and safety plans, through managerial HR staff
- Serves as an advisor and liaison to unit managers and staff providing organization information and interpretation of human resources policies and procedures
- Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- Implements, operationalizes, and monitors the use of policies and procedures to comply with laws, regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives
- Leads the development and stewardship of strategic relationships with campus, peer institution, and external partners, collaborating closely to advance institutional priorities.
- Identifies needs and recommends improvements to leadership regarding HR matters such as workforce performance and competency gaps, organizational structures, compensation discrepancies and assists with the development of training plans and mitigation strategies as needed
- Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for one or more human resources function
Benefits
- This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.
- For a summary of benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Industry
Educational Services
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
