Compensation Consultant

Dahl Consulting; Minnetonka (MN); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Dahl Consulting in Minnetonka, MN, invites an experienced Compensation Consultant to lead enterprise compensation strategy. This role is hybrid—onsite 3+ days per week (Tue–Thu required)—and reports to Total Rewards, overseeing a team of three senior consultants to design, implement, and govern compensation programs.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in compensation, strong leadership, and expertise in base, incentive, and executive compensation with regulatory knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive compensation experience.
• Experience supporting sales and/or executive compensation programs.
• Leadership experience managing compensation professionals.
• Expertise in compensation design, salary administration, market pricing, incentives, and job evaluation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven recommendations.
• Strong communication, consulting, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of compensation regulations and pay governance practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise compensation programs including base salary, annual incentives, sales compensation, and executive initiatives.
• Develop and maintain job architecture, salary structures, and governance processes.
• Manage and develop a team of three Senior Compensation Consultants; establish goals and ensure priorities.
• Partner with HRIS, Payroll, and HR leadership to optimize compensation systems and workflows.
• Advise leaders on job evaluations, market competitiveness, and pay equity considerations.

Skills

People leadership

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

HRIS platforms

Compensation analytics tools

Job description

Job Details

Title: Compensation Consultant

Location: Minnetonka, MN | Hybrid – onsite 3+ days per week (Tuesday – Thursday required)

Job Type: Contract (3 months)

Compensation: $72.16 - $81.73/hr

Industry: Health Insurance

About the Role

Our client, a leading nonprofit health benefits organization serving individuals, families, employers, and government programs, is seeking an experienced Compensation Consultant to lead and evolve its enterprise compensation strategy. This organization is committed to improving access to high-quality healthcare and delivering innovative solutions that support the well-being of the communities it serves. Reporting within the Total Rewards function, this is a highly visible leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and managing compensation programs that drive business performance, support talent acquisition and retention, and ensure equitable and competitive pay practices across the organization. This is a hands‑on leadership position with direct management responsibility for a team of three senior compensation consultants. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in compensation program design, including executive and/or sales compensation, along with strong leadership, analytical, and stakeholder management capabilities.

Compensation Strategy & Program Management

Lead the development, implementation, and administration of enterprise compensation programs, including: Base salary structures, Annual incentive plans, Sales compensation programs, Executive compensation initiatives. Ensure compensation programs remain competitive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with organizational and business objectives. Serve as the organization’s subject matter expert on compensation practices, trends, and regulatory requirements. Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and pay evaluations to support data‑driven compensation decisions.

Team Leadership & Development

Manage, coach, and develop a team of three Senior Compensation Consultants. Establish performance goals, monitor progress, and ensure successful execution of team priorities. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high‑performing team culture. Provide guidance on complex compensation issues and support professional growth across the team.

Compensation Architecture & Governance

Develop and maintain job architecture, salary structures, compensation frameworks, and governance processes. Oversee compensation systems, processes, and reporting to ensure accuracy, scalability, and compliance. Partner with HRIS, Payroll, and HR leadership to optimize compensation‑related systems and workflows.

Business Partnership & Consulting

Collaborate closely with HR Business Partners and business leaders to understand workforce needs and provide strategic compensation guidance. Advise stakeholders on job evaluations, compensation recommendations, market competitiveness, and pay equity considerations. Communicate compensation philosophy, program changes, and compensation decisions to leaders and key stakeholders.

Project Leadership & Continuous Improvement

Lead and participate in cross‑functional Total Rewards and organizational effectiveness initiatives. Identify opportunities to improve compensation programs, processes, and governance practices. Monitor compensation trends, emerging market practices, and legislative changes to recommend enhancements.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive compensation experience.
• Strong experience supporting sales compensation and/or executive compensation programs.
• Previous people leadership experience, preferably managing compensation professionals or similar HR specialists.
• Demonstrated expertise in compensation program design, salary administration, market pricing, incentive design, and job evaluation.
• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication, consulting, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and cross‑functional business teams.
• Knowledge of compensation regulations and pay governance practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation.
• Experience within healthcare, health insurance, managed care, or highly regulated industries.
• Experience leading compensation transformation initiatives or implementing compensation frameworks and job architecture programs.
• Advanced proficiency with compensation technology, HRIS platforms, and compensation analytics tools.

Benefits

Dahl Consulting is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees that will allow you to choose the best coverage to meet your family’s needs. For details, please review the DAHL Benefits Summary: https://www.dahlconsulting.com/benefits-w2fta/.

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an equal opportunity employer, Dahl Consulting welcomes candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

If this position sounds like the right opportunity for you, we encourage you to take the next step and connect with us. We look forward to meeting you!