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Southern Methodist University

Compensation Specialist II

Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, United States, 75215


Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Compensation Specialist II administers, assesses, and implements SMU's compensation programs to ensure they are competitive and aligned with compensation and university objectives. This role also oversees and maintains the integrity of SMU's job classification/job architecture framework and compensation structure. This role also provides compensation expertise and consultation to campus constituencies to support best practices involving interpretation and application of federal and state wage and salary laws and regulations, as well as SMU’s compensation practices.

Essential Functions:

Administer, assess, and implement SMU's compensation programs. Oversee and maintain the integrity of SMU's job classification framework and compensation structure (e.g. job titles, job codes, pay grades, etc.). Update and maintain pay structures, grades, compensation guidelines. Administer and oversee position management within HRIS system. Perform job analysis & job evaluation, including review of organizational structure, to determine position classification, job level, pay grade, and FLSA status. Review, evaluate, & approve compensation/classification change requests. Communicate recommendations and outcomes to HR Business Partner and/or department. Update & maintain electronic job description records. Review & approve job requisitions.

Conduct compensation analysis, including job pricing, benchmarking, and market research to determine the internal and external value of jobs. Participate in compensation surveys, conduct research and analysis on market competitiveness, pay equity, and compensation trends. Prepare and analyze survey data. Manage SMU’s biannual compensation market study and serve as liaison with the consultant. Audit pay practices to ensure compliance with federal and state wage and salary laws and regulations. Make recommendations to adjust salary structure in response to market data and SMU needs.

Provide compensation expertise and consultation to campus constituencies to support best practices involving interpretation and application of regulations and SMU’s compensation practices. Advise managers and HR Business Partners on classification and compensation matters and on making effective pay decisions within guidelines. Oversee and manage career paths for employees to assist managers in designing effective development opportunities.

Manage annual merit process, including compiling information, documents, and sending communication. Collaborate with Office of Budget, Financial Business Managers, HR Business Analyst, and HR team members to ensure data and documents are properly collected and processed.

Perform special projects, ad hoc market analysis, and prepare data reports as requested. Monitor and maintain compensation-related data integrity analysis, identify issues, and provide recommendations to correct. Continuously review processes and identify methods to improve the workflow and timeliness. Recommend and create compensation practices procedures as needed or when appropriate.