Total Rewards Specialist

TVO; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

TVO Media Education Group is seeking a Total Rewards Specialist to support compensation, benefits and pension programs from our Toronto location. You will conduct market research, perform data analyses, administer benefits, and help design Total Rewards initiatives.

You will collaborate with HR leadership, Talent Acquisition and Labour Relations to ensure equity, compliance and data-driven decision making, while maintaining strong vendor relationships and accurate payroll-related tasks.

Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resources Management or equivalent with 3–5 years of Total Rewards/HR analytics experience.
• Professional designation (CCP, CEBS or similar) is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of compensation principles, salary structures and benefits administration.
• Experience with job evaluation, salary benchmarking, benefits renewal and vendor management.
• Advanced MS Excel skills and modelling with large HR/financial data sets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and data integrity discipline.
• Experience in a unionized/public sector environment is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support development, analysis, implementation and communication of Total Rewards programs.
• Lead annual compensation cycle activities including market research and salary increases.
• Respond to Total Rewards queries from staff, coordinate with service providers on claims and coverage.
• Audit payroll, compensation and benefits for accuracy and compliance.
• Design and analyse salary, benefits surveys to inform Total Rewards strategy.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to HR leadership on market trends and retention.
• Advise Talent Acquisition with data-backed compensation guidance for hires and promotions.
• Analyze internal/external salary data to ensure equity across departments.
• Calculate Pension Adjustments and create PA reporting files.
• Ensure programs are evaluated for effectiveness and cost efficiency; propose improvements.

Skills

Data analysis

Market research

Salary benchmarking

Benefits administration

HRIS

Job evaluation

Vendor management

Excel modelling

Communication

Analytical mindset

Education

HR degree or equivalent

Tools

Ceridian

ADP

UKG

Job description

Position Title: Total Rewards Specialist

Employment Type: Full-Time Staff | Non-Union

Annual Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00

Division: People & Culture

Location: 2180 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

TVO Media Education Group ( TVO ) is devoted to inspiring learning that changes lives and enriches communities. We are an internationally recognized digital learning organization that strives to engage, inform, and educate Ontarians of all ages.

Who we are

We are an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Education and a registered charity that contributes to learning, civic engagement, and public service media across Ontario. We provide free, trusted, and accessible educational content that can support Ontarians of all ages, regardless of background, location, or circumstance. To fulfill our mandate, TVO delivers curriculum-connected resources through TVO Learn and TVOkids, offers Ontario’s largest online high school through TVO ILC, and produces journalism, documentaries, current affairs programming, and podcasts with TVO Today that help Ontarians understand the issues shaping their communities.

What we’re looking for

TVO is seeking a Total Rewards Specialist to join our People & Culture team. This position will be responsible for supporting various processes and programs within Compensation, Benefits and Pension including market research, data analysis, benefits program support as well as assisting with the development and management of other Total Rewards Initiatives. If this sounds like you, read on!

How you will make an impact

These responsibilities are cyclical and are carried out at different times throughout the year.

Total Rewards Program Administration:

• Support in the development, analysis, implementation, administration and communication of Total Rewards programs.
• Manage the annual compensation cycle including market research, creating and administering salary increases, bonus/pay for performance data files, and ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Respond to and investigate Total Rewards queries from staff and management. Work with service providers to resolve claims, coverage and service issues.
• Perform audits on payroll, compensation and benefits to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Support the design, administration, participation and analysis of salary, benefits and related surveys to inform the ongoing development of our Total Rewards strategy.
• Provide analytical and modelling support; present data-driven recommendations to HR leadership and business leaders to show overall market trends and competitiveness. Identify opportunities to improve employee retention and engagement.
• Serve as a key consultant to Talent Acquisition and Management, providing data-backed compensation recommendations for new hires, promotions, and internal transfers.
• Conduct analysis of internal and external salary data to assess the competitiveness of our compensation programs and ensure internal equity across all departments and levels.
• Calculate Pension Adjustments (PA) and create PA files for reporting purposes.
• Ensure compensation and benefit programs are evaluated regularly for effectiveness, utilization, and cost efficiency and identify anomalies and make recommendations to improve competitiveness and maintain internal equity to the Director Total Rewards & HRIS.

Job Evaluation:

• Conduct job evaluations for new/revised roles. Participate in the Job Evaluation Committee and foster strong working relationships with the Unions.
• Manage and audit TVO’s job description library, ensuring all content is current, accurately reflects role responsibilities and is graded appropriately.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Responds to Employee and management inquiries, provides guidance on total rewards programs and policies.
• Support the Labour Relations Team in preparation for collective bargaining negotiations, gather and analyze total rewards data, conduct cost modelling, compile reports and documentation.
• Work with service providers and Labour Relations team to implement collective bargaining agreement changes related to total rewards; calculate wage rate increases per collective bargaining agreement and update pay scales.
• Work with Finance for year-end related tasks (e.g. pay for performance) and providing cost estimates as required by Finance.
• Act as a point of contact with Total Rewards Vendors (e.g. Ontario Pension Board, Manulife, Telus Heath) to support a strong partnership and ensure TVO’s needs are met.

Overarching Support:

• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards and analytics related to compensation, benefits and total reward.
• Ensure timely completion of government reports including Workforce Data Analysis, Span of Control Analysis.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and controls in total rewards processes and make recommendations.
• Participate in HR programs, special projects and process improvement initiatives.
• May serve as backup coverage during vacation, absence or peak periods to support business continuity for:
• HRIS Analyst in HRIS administration including ensuring system security by managing end-user access, preparing dashboards on HR metrics, ad hoc reports generation, mass data uploads etc.
• People & Culture Coordinator in responding to employees’ inquiries regarding paid time off, benefit entitlements etc.
• Payroll Specialist in processing and running regular bi-weekly/monthly payroll and administering payroll deductions and remittances.
• Other duties as assigned

What you will bring to TVO

• A degree in Human Resources Management with 3 to 5 years of experience in Total Rewards or as an HR Analyst
• Professional designation (CCP, CEBS or other equivalent designation in progress or completed) is an asset
• Strong knowledge of compensation principles, salary structures, market benchmarking and benefits administration
• Experience with job evaluation, salary benchmarking, benefits renewal and vendor management
• Advanced MS Excel (i.e. pivot tables, VLOOKUP’s, advanced formulas) and modelling with large and complex HR/Financial data sets
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft applications: Outlook, Word and PowerPoint
• A high degree of accountability and pride in accuracy and data integrity
• Track record for results, analytical acumen while managing multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Strong attention to detail and a demonstrated aptitude for data analysis and problem solving
• Solid knowledge of HRIS (e.g. Ceridian, ADP, UKG)
• Motivated to pursue new and alternative strategies along with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Experience working in an unionized environment and public sector is an asset
• Handles confidential information with sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.

What we offer

Working at TVO, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work that impacts millions of Ontarians. You’ll belong to a diverse, tight‑kn­t community of talented colleagues who share a passion for education. With learning at the centre of everything we do, we invest in developing our people and promoting a culture of continuous learning. You might even get to meet Polkaroo!

The posted salary range reflects the target hiring range for the position. Final compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including qualifications, relevant experience, and internal equity.

TVO does not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision‑making tools to screen, assess, or select candidates. All applications are reviewed by the hiring team.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process (e.g., including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms). If you are seeking accommodations during the application or interview process, please advise us as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made by sending your request to [e-mail] .

Please Note:

We are hiring for an existing vacancy on our team and expect to move forward with screening and interviewing candidates shortly after the posting closes.