Compensation Program Manager

Tufts University•Medford, MA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Tufts University Human Resources supports the University in attracting, retaining, and developing a talented workforce. The Compensation team establishes and maintains pay programs and salary structures to support competitive, consistent, and equitable compensation practices. The Compensation Program Manager is a key member of the Compensation team, providing strategic staff compensation expertise, consultation, and program leadership across the University. This highly collaborative individual contributor manages an assigned portfolio and works across compensation programs and processes end to end, combining hands-on execution with strategic advisory responsibilities. The role evaluates positions and market data, advises Human Resources Business Partners and representatives from schools and divisions on complex compensation practices, leads assigned University compensation programs and projects, contributes to compensation strategy and planning, mentors junior team members, and identifies opportunities to improve compensation processes and systems. The position provides strategic compensation advice, program leadership, and subject matter expertise for an assigned portfolio. It evaluates positions and recommends placement within the University's pay structure, advises Human Resources Business Partners on compensation decisions and policy matters, and continually evaluates programs and processes to respond to the University's needs. It also serves as a lead and subject matter expert for assigned compensation and rewards programs, contributes to annual compensation strategy and work prioritization, supports annual budget planning, and provides compensation expertise on HR and cross-functional initiatives. The role offers a highly flexible hybrid work arrangement, with much of the work performed off-site and occasional on-campus attendance based on business needs. Candidates should live within reasonable commuting distance of Tufts University's Massachusetts campuses and be able to attend meetings, workshops, HR events, and other planned or time-sensitive on-campus activities as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
At least 7 years of compensation experience, including significant experience with base pay and annual compensation programs such as merit planning.
Demonstrated experience with job evaluation, market pricing and benchmarking, compensation surveys, internal equity analysis, variable pay, and employee recognition and reward programs.
Demonstrated experience using compensation market-pricing, benchmarking, and salary survey tools to evaluate market competitiveness and develop compensation recommendations.
Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with HRIS and compensation applications.
Demonstrated project and program management skills, including the ability to lead complex initiatives and influence decisions across multiple stakeholder groups.
Excellent consultative communication skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and provide credible, tactful guidance in complex and sensitive situations.
Ability to live within reasonable commuting distance of Tufts University's Massachusetts campuses and attend on-campus activities as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in higher education or another large, complex, decentralized organization.
Experience supporting implementation, enhancement, or optimization of HRIS/ERP technology such as Workday, Oracle, or comparable enterprise platforms.
Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation or progress toward certification.

Responsibilities

Leads administration of assigned compensation programs, including the annual merit process, strategic project bonus programs, and recognition programs; gathers and analyzes information, responds to questions about program frameworks and eligibility, and prepares related metrics and reports.
Evaluates positions and develops compensation recommendations by analyzing job documentation, compensation surveys, external market benchmarks, and internal comparative data.
Consults with Human Resources Business Partners on promotional increases, job offers, pay adjustments, supplemental bonuses, and other compensation policy matters, providing timely, well-researched guidance.
Leads complex, large-scale compensation projects by developing project plans, coordinating resources, and ensuring milestones are achieved.
Participates on cross-functional project teams as a compensation subject matter expert and helps drive change and process-improvement initiatives.
Provides compensation consultation on portfolio reorganizations, partnering with Human Resources Business Partners to evaluate organizational and compensation considerations.
Mentors junior Compensation team members, shares subject matter expertise, and serves as a resource on complex compensation matters.
Maintains knowledge of applicable federal and state wage and hour requirements, evaluates classification considerations, documents approved outcomes appropriately, and finalizes job descriptions.
Completes assigned compensation surveys, ensuring accurate benchmark pay data is submitted within established deadlines.
Evaluates compensation programs, processes, and practices for accuracy and effectiveness; identifies trends and procedural issues and develops potential solutions to system and business needs.
Provides compensation subject matter expertise for systems and process initiatives, identifies opportunities to improve and optimize compensation processes, and contributes to the design, implementation, and enhancement of HR and compensation technology.
Contributes to annual compensation strategy and work prioritization, supports annual budget planning, and provides compensation expertise on HR and cross-functional initiatives.