Compensation and Benefits Specialist

PALFINGER; Schaumburg (IL); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Wellness resources

Career development opportunities

Job summary

PALFINGER is seeking a Compensation & Benefits Specialist in a hybrid role based at the North American Headquarters in Schaumburg, IL. You will design, analyze, and administer compensation and benefits programs to attract, retain, and engage top talent.

You will work with HR partners and business leaders to ensure practices are competitive, equitable, and compliant, while supporting health, welfare, and retirement plans. This role offers growth opportunities within a global engineering leader.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent professional experience may be substituted.
• Minimum 5 years of compensation experience and 3 years of benefits administration experience.
• Advanced Excel expertise with pivot tables, formulas, macros/VBA, and Power Query.

Responsibilities

• Conduct job evaluations, benchmark positions, and market analyses to ensure competitive compensation programs.
• Partner with HR teams on promotions, transfers, salary adjustments, merit increases, and bonus planning.
• Administer health, welfare, retirement, and ancillary benefit programs as primary benefits contact.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, ACA, and other regulations, including audits and reporting.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Communication

Data analysis

Pivot tables

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, HR, Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Power Query

Macros/VBA

Job description

For more than 90 years, PALFINGER has set benchmarks with innovative crane and lifting solutions worldwide. As a leading technology and mechanical engineering company, we transform customer needs into seamlessly integrated solutions while providing opportunities for our people to grow, collaborate, and push beyond limits. We foster an environment where we reach up, reach out, and reach beyond. Become part of our team and let’s lift each other to create what’s next.

Reach Beyond at PALFINGER as a Compensation & Benefits Specialist, where you'll play a key role in designing, analyzing, and administering compensation and benefits programs that help attract, retain, and engage top talent. In this hybrid position based in our Schaumburg, IL, North American Headquarters, you will partner closely with HR Business Partners and business leaders to ensure compensation practices are competitive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with business objectives. You will also serve as the primary resource for benefits administration, supporting health, welfare, and retirement plans while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This role offers the opportunity to influence employee experience, support strategic HR initiatives, and contribute to programs that drive organizational success.

Your Responsibilities

• Conduct job evaluations, benchmark positions, and perform market analyses to ensure competitive compensation programs.
• Partner with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and business leaders on compensation initiatives including promotions, transfers, salary adjustments, merit increases, and bonus planning.
• Administer health, welfare, retirement, and ancillary benefit programs while serving as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and issues.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, ACA, and other federal, state, and local regulations, including audits, filings, and reporting requirements.
• Manage benefits processes, vendor relationships, invoice reconciliation, system audits, and special projects that support continuous program improvement.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience may be substituted.
• Minimum of 5 years of compensation experience and 3 years of benefits administration experience.
• Advanced Excel expertise, including pivot tables, complex formulas, data analysis tools, macros/VBA, Power Query, and advanced reporting capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly and effectively.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to maintain confidentiality, and proven success collaborating with HR and business leaders.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary ranging from$88,000 - $105,000 annually, plus bonus eligibility.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance offerings.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
• Paid time off, company holidays, and wellness resources.
• Career development opportunities within a global industry leader.
• Hybrid work environment with three days per week onsite in our Schaumburg, Illinois office.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled