Compensation Specialist

Killam Development; Laredo (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Killam Development, Ltd. is seeking a Compensation Specialist to design, implement, and administer compensation programs. You will ensure competitiveness, equity, and alignment with business objectives, while maintaining accurate data and preparing leadership budgets.

The role requires 5+ years in compensation, strong Excel and HRIS skills, and knowledge of FLSA and market benchmarking. This is an in-office position based in Laredo, TX.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• CCP certification preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in compensation/HR analytics or related function preferred.
• Experience administering salary structures, merit increases, or incentive programs.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret compensation and financial data.
• Knowledge of FLSA requirements and market benchmarking.
• Advanced Excel proficiency and experience with HRIS systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and evaluate salary ranges, pay grades, job levels, and structures.
• Conduct market pricing and benchmarking to assess competitiveness.
• Review positions to recommend appropriate salary ranges.
• Analyze internal pay relationships for equity or market concerns.
• Provide compensation recommendations for hires, promotions, and adjustments.
• Coordinate and administer merit increase and annual incentive processes.
• Prepare compensation reports, budgets, and leadership recommendations.
• Partner with executives to ensure consistency with performance and budgets.
• Maintain documentation of compensation decisions and changes.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state wage/hour requirements.

Skills

Salary benchmarking

Advanced Excel

HR analytics

Strong communication

Internal equity knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business

CCP certification preferred

Tools

HRIS systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Summary: The Compensation Specialist is responsible for supporting the design, development, implementation and administration of the company’s compensation programs. This position will help ensure compensation practices are competitive, equitable, performance-driven, and aligned with the company’s business objectives.

Requirements

Essential Duties:

• Develop, maintain, and regularly evaluate company salary ranges, pay grades, job levels, and compensation structures.
• Conduct market pricing and compensation benchmarking to evaluate the competitiveness of company positions.
• Review new and existing positions to recommend appropriate salary ranges and compensation levels.
• Analyze internal pay relationships and identify potential compression, equity, or market competitiveness concerns.
• Provide compensation recommendations for new hires, promotions, transfers, adjustments, and retention situations.
• Create and maintain the company’s Job architecture.
• Maintain accurate compensation data and documentation.
• Coordinate and administer the company's compensation and merit increase process.
• Prepare compensation worksheets, reports, budgets, and recommendations for leadership review.
• Partner with Executives and HR leadership to ensure increases are consistent with performance, internal equity, market conditions, and approved budgets.
• Maintain documentation of compensation decisions and changes.
• Manage the annual incentive plan process, including employee eligibility, target incentive percentages, performance measures, calculations, approvals, and payout reporting.
• Track incentive plan participation and maintain accurate historical records.
• Assist with developing or revising incentive programs as business needs evolve.
• Develop compensation reports and dashboards for HR and executive leadership.
• Perform modeling related to merit budgets, salary adjustments, bonuses, AIP payouts, and proposed compensation changes.
• Partner with Finance to evaluate the financial impact of compensation programs and proposed adjustments.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee compensation and sensitive company information.
• Ensure compensation practices comply with applicable federal and state wage and hour requirements.
• Support FLSA classification reviews and compensation-related audits.
• Monitor compensation trends and recommend changes to company practices when appropriate.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) certification is preferred.

Experience

• Experience in the real estate development industry preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in compensation, total rewards, HR analytics, finance, or a related HR function preferred.
• Experience administering salary structures, merit increases, bonuses, or incentive compensation programs strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret compensation and financial data.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables, and data analysis.
• Experience with HRIS systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of compensation principles, market benchmarking, internal equity, and FLSA requirements.

Location

Killam Development., Ltd is located Laredo, Texas; this is an in office position based at our office in Laredo, all applicants will be required to relocate, if necessary.

Skills

Must have the following skills and/or abilities:

• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and HR best practices.
• Strong employee relations and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with employees and leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS systems.
• Professional, approachable, and service-oriented demeanor.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs in a fast-paced environment.

Licenses/Certifications

Must have a current valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform the following physical activity on a frequent to constant basis:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Lift 10-20 lbs. of files, plans, office supplies, or similar items.
• Constantly uses fingers and hands when dialing/answering the telephone and operating a computer or other office machinery, such as a copy machine, scanner, and computer printer.
• Ability to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information through verbal communications in person or detect objects in and around job site over the telephone.
• Average, ordinary visual acuity is necessary to prepare or inspect documents; operate a computer or other office machinery; or.
• Walk short distances on slippery, even, and/or uneven surfaces.
• Stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, turn, or crawl.

Working Conditions

• Majority of work is performed in an office atmosphere located inside a building with no hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions.
• May require infrequent job site visits involve performing work in outdoor weather conditions with exposure to extreme cold, heat, and noise depending upon project site.
• May travel during the workday.

Other Requirements

Must be able to:

• Adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, professionalism, and discretion.
• Project a courteous, professional and positive approach with clients, subcontractors, employees, and authorizing agencies while providing prompt, efficient, and accurate assistance.
• Follow and exchange basic instructions, information, and guidelines.
• Make decisions based on experience or knowledge with minimal supervision.
• Participate in training and development opportunities offered to maintain related software and safety knowledge.
• Adhere to and perform functions according to company and OSHA safety guidelines.
• Maintain regular, timely, and predictable attendance.
• Represent the company in a professional manner to callers and visitors.