Senior Compensation Analyst

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

6d•$80,000 - $82,000•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Compensation Analyst serves as a specialist supporting the University of Colorado System Administration HR team. The role performs complex compensation analysis, job-level and classification reviews, supports unique compensation requests and annual pay program activities, and maintains compensation data and tools. The analyst advises System HR Team HR Partners and, when requested, System departments and managers on practices that support attracting, motivating, and retaining talent while promoting sound, compliant employment decisions. Employee Services provides services to the CU community from recruitment to retirement and administers benefits, professional development, payroll, individual tax management, and strategic HR programs. This position reports to the Compensation and Talent Program Manager and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff system. The position may be performed remotely within Colorado, with an expectation of working in the Denver office one to three days per month. Applicants must be Colorado residents or able to relocate to Colorado within a month of starting employment. Leadership may adjust in-office requirements with at least three months’ notice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience substituted year for year.
Three years of experience serving in a human resources capacity, including multiple of the following: working in or directly with an HR Compensation function; reviewing job descriptions and determining position levels and pay; or creating, updating, or administering pay ranges.
Customer service skills, including active listening, addressing customer needs, defusing tense situations, and maintaining an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor.
Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including accurately interpreting and clearly conveying messages, information, concepts, and details.
Computer skills, including Microsoft Office programs and the ability to learn and experiment with new software and systems.
Comfort working with databases, websites, and electronic resources.
Ability to connect managers and teams to resources and guide them through processes.
Collaboration skills and ability to work with people from different areas and backgrounds toward a common goal.
Ability to influence managers and department leaders in support of sound decisions.
Organizational skills, including setting and meeting goals, coordinating and facilitating meetings, and making decisions.
Deep Excel knowledge and analytical skills.
Ability to compile and report on large data sets.
Ability to prompt artificial intelligence through a large language model (LLM).
Knowledge of Colorado labor and pay transparency laws.
Knowledge of federal labor and FLSA laws and statutes.

Nice To Haves

Five years of equivalent human resources experience, including at least three years in a dedicated Compensation role.
Familiarity with human resources systems and procedures such as PeopleSoft HCM, Taleo Enterprise Edition, or similar platforms.
Experience working with or for an institution of higher education.
Experience using AI in a business setting.
Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).

Responsibilities

Collect and analyze data for annual compensation cycles and projects, including annual pay range updates, annual compensation increases, talent reviews, promotions, and pay growth.
Coordinate, prepare, and validate data; identify market movement and trends; and support recommendations for annual pay range updates.
Coordinate and support the annual compensation increase process, including preparing data and workbooks, tracking department actions, and supporting HR Partners.
Support department talent review cycles to promote consistent application of compensation practices.
Identify process gaps, risks, inconsistencies, and improvement opportunities in annual compensation cycles and bring recommendations to Compensation leadership.
Support the development and continuous improvement of compensation programs, processes, tools, and resources, including integration of AI tools.
Support complex projects and initiatives and develop or implement practices, processes, tools, and resources in assigned areas of expertise.
Consult with and guide HR Partners on compensation knowledge, data, tools, and resources for informed, consistent, and compliant decisions related to workforce planning, internal equity and compliance, succession, emerging capabilities, and approval processing.
Partner with other HR Specialists to develop, administer, and improve training, communications, and resources about compensation programs and processes.
Oversee the tool used to track position reviews and transactions.
Manage positions in the HRIS system and manage the job description library.
Conduct assessments of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Colorado State System exemption status.
Provide analysis and solutions for unique business needs, including one-time bonuses, pay programs, temporary pay differentials, counteroffers, and retention programs.
Provide regular data and reporting to the System HR team and HR Partners, and as needed to departments and leadership.
Ensure compensation practices comply with applicable requirements, with particular focus on the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Benefits

No-cost or low-cost medical and dental plan options, some including IVF assistance.
Disability, life, and vision insurance options.
Multiple retirement planning options, including a mandatory 401(a) plan with a stated CU contribution of 10% of gross pay, a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
Pre-tax health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Sick and vacation leave and at least 12 paid holidays, including a dedicated winter break week.
Six weeks of parental leave.
Tuition benefit program for the employee and/or dependents.
Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at the 1800 Grant Street office.
Additional perks and programs through CU Advantage.
Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.
Wellness programs.
Professional development.
Work-life balance.