Compensation & Benefits Specialist

Destinus; Madrid; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus, a fast-growing international engineering organization, seeks a Compensation & Benefits Specialist to shape our global framework. You will partner with HRBP, Finance, Payroll, Legal, and business leaders to ensure competitive, compliant, and scalable compensation and benefits practices across markets.

You will design salary structures, manage annual cycles, benchmark pay, and optimize benefits while aligning with local market requirements and regulatory changes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Compensation & Benefits, Total Rewards, HR Analytics, or related HR field.
• Experience in international multi-country environment and adapting global frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of benchmarking, salary structures, variable pay and benefits.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets; familiarity with HRIS and compensation tools.
• Fluent English and ability to translate data into actionable guidance.
• Experience designing job architecture, salary bands, or career frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Manage and improve compensation and benefits programs across multiple countries.
• Design and implement international salary structures, bands, and reward frameworks.
• Conduct benchmarking and market analysis using surveys and data.
• Coordinate annual compensation processes: reviews, promotions, bonuses.
• Provide data-driven recommendations for hires, promotions, relocations, and changes.
• Analyze pay practices across countries to improve internal equity.
• Develop and oversee benefits programs across locations with cost effectiveness and compliance.
• Collaborate with HR, Payroll, Finance, and Legal to ensure compliant implementation.
• Monitor regulatory developments including pay transparency and EU directives.
• Support participation in international compensation surveys and data maintenance.
• Prepare compensation dashboards and analyses for leadership.
• Create clear compensation guidelines and communications for managers and employees.
• Contribute to scalable international HR initiatives as the organization grows.

Skills

Analytical

HR Analytics

Cross-country coordination

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

English fluency

Attention to detail

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Imagine this, you are building the compensation and benefits framework behind a fast-growing international engineering organization, in every country where we operate. As Compensation & Benefits Specialist, you will join our HR team and support the development and management of our compensation and benefits strategy across the organization.

You will work across multiple countries and collaborate closely with HRBP, Finance, Payroll, Legal, and business leaders to ensure our compensation and benefits practices are competitive, consistent, compliant, and scalable. This is a hands-on role, combining strong analytical capabilities with practical expertise in compensation, benefits, benchmarking, and international HR practices. You will play an important role in building and evolving compensation frameworks that support our growth, while taking into account different local market practices and regulatory requirements.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You’ll Do

• Manage and continuously improve compensation and benefits programs across multiple countries
• Support the design and implementation of international salary structures, job levels, compensation bands, and reward frameworks
• Conduct salary benchmarking and market analysis across different geographies, using external compensation surveys and relevant market data
• Coordinate annual compensation processes, including salary reviews, promotions, bonus cycles, and variable compensation programs
• Provide data-driven compensation recommendations for new hires, promotions, internal mobility, and other employee changes
• Analyze internal pay practices across countries and identify market gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities to improve internal equity
• Review and develop employee benefit programs across different locations, balancing market competitiveness, employee needs, cost effectiveness, and local requirements
• Manage relationships with external benefits providers, brokers, and compensation partners
• Work closely with HR, Payroll, Finance, and Legal to ensure the accurate and compliant implementation of compensation and benefits programs
• Monitor compensation-related regulatory developments across the countries in which we operate, including pay transparency and equal-pay requirements
• Support the implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive and other relevant compensation and reporting requirements
• Participate in international compensation surveys and maintain accurate and reliable compensation and benefits data
• Prepare compensation analyses, dashboards, and recommendations for HR leadership and business stakeholders
• Develop clear compensation and benefits guidelines and communications for HR, managers, and employees
• Contribute to broader international HR initiatives and help build scalable processes as the organization continues to grow

What You’ll Need

• 5+ years of relevant experience in Compensation & Benefits, Total Rewards, HR Analytics, or a related HR specialization
• Experience working in an international, multi-country environment
• Strong understanding of compensation benchmarking, salary structures, variable compensation, and employee benefits
• Experience working with different compensation markets and adapting global frameworks to local requirements
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to work confidently with large datasets
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills; experience with HRIS and compensation tools is an advantage
• Ability to translate complex compensation data into clear and practical recommendations for HR and business stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively across countries, functions, and stakeholders
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Professional fluency in English
• Experience in a fast-growing, international engineering, technology, aerospace, or industrial organization is highly valuable
• Experience designing or implementing job architecture, salary bands, grading structures, or career frameworks is highly valuable
• Knowledge of European compensation practices and the EU Pay Transparency Directive is highly valuable
• Experience conducting pay-equity or gender pay-gap analysis is highly valuable
• Experience with bonus schemes, equity, or long-term incentive programs is highly valuable
• Experience designing or harmonizing benefits across multiple countries is highly valuable
• Experience managing international benefits providers, brokers, or compensation survey providers is highly valuable
• Spanish, Dutch, or other European language skills are highly valuable

Who You Are

You are analytical and detail-driven, and you enjoy turning complex compensation data into clear, practical recommendations. You are comfortable working across countries, functions, and stakeholders, and you know how to adapt a global framework to local market practice and regulation. You want to help build an international compensation and benefits framework that is competitive, data-driven, consistent, compliant, and scalable, while allowing for the local differences our markets require. Above all, you become a trusted compensation partner to HR and business leaders, bringing structure, reliable market insights, and practical solutions to compensation and benefits decisions across the organization.

Why Join Us?

• The Thrill of the Future - Work on cutting-edge projects that redefine aerospace.
• Global Innovation Hub - Collaborate with top engineers from all over the world.
• Fast-Paced & High-Growth - Experience the rush of working in a rapidly expanding company.
• Real Impact - Your work won’t be theoretical, it will shape the future of flight.

Destinus is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity in our companies and our teams and do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, color, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status.

Destinus — Advanced defense. Built to scale.

Security screening is an integral component of the selection process, ensuring that candidates meet the organization's security standards and safeguarding against potential risks.