Compensation Specialist

OU Health; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

OU Health seeks a Compensation Specialist to support base and variable pay programs, conduct market benchmarking, and drive job architecture initiatives. You will partner with HRBPs, Payroll, and HRIS to ensure accurate data, timely cycle execution, and strong controls.

The role involves data analysis, reporting, and compliance-focused audits to promote internal equity and external competitiveness. Strong Excel and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in human resources or a related field.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification at hire or within 12 months.
• Knowledge of compensation principles, market pricing, and pay administration.
• Strong data analysis skills and ability to document recommendations clearly.
• Proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, lookups, complex formulas).
• Experience with job analysis and FLSA classification considerations.
• Commitment to data integrity, confidentiality, and audit-ready processes.

Responsibilities

• Supports compensation administration for offers, promotions, market adjustments, and pay changes.
• Participates in job architecture and job evaluation with quality control.
• Conducts market pricing and benchmarking; documents pricing recommendations.
• Supports job analysis activities and classification with FLSA considerations.
• Maintains salary structures; assists with range analyses and grade assignments.
• Supports annual compensation cycles (merit/incentive) with data prep and audits.
• Prepares cost impact models and budget summaries for compensation initiatives.
• Develops compensation templates and tools; ensures audit readiness.
• Assists with variable pay calculations and reconciliation controls.
• Produces routine and ad-hoc compensation reports for stakeholders.
• Enters and validates compensation data in HRIS; runs related reports.
• Resolves compensation data issues with Payroll and HRIS; documents root causes.
• Drafts communications related to compensation processes and changes.
• Maintains documentation and audit trails for compliance.

Skills

Compensation principles

Market pricing

Salary structure

Pay administration

Data analysis

Job analysis

Audit mindset

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

HRIS

Job description

The Compensation Specialist supports the administration and continuous improvement of compensation programs, including base pay and variable pay processes. This role performs market benchmarking, job architecture work, job analysis support, compensation reporting, and compliance-focused audits to promote internal equity, external competitiveness, and consistent pay practices. The analyst partners with HR Business Partners, Payroll, HRIS, and OU Health leadership to ensure accurate compensation data, timely cycle execution and strong controls.

Essential Responsibilities

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities, with or without an accommodation, may result in disqualification from the position.

• Supports compensation administration processes for offers, promotions, market adjustments, and pay changes in accordance with established guidelines.
• Participates in job architecture and job evaluation work, including job description quality control and FLSA-aligned classification support.
• Conducts market pricing and benchmarking using survey data; prepares documentation supporting pricing recommendations.
• Supports job analysis activities by reviewing job content, updating job descriptions, and assisting with classification and FLSA considerations.
• Assists with salary structure maintenance activities, including range analysis, grade assignment support, and differential review.
• Supports annual compensation cycles (merit and incentive planning) through data preparation, validation, audits, and deadline coordination.
• Prepares cost impact models and budget summaries for compensation initiatives and pay actions.
• Develops and maintains compensation templates and tools; validates inputs and outputs to ensure accuracy and audit readiness.
• Supports variable pay and incentive calculations, including eligibility validation, payout calculations, and reconciliation controls.
• Produces routine and ad-hoc compensation reports and summarizes findings for stakeholders.
• Enters and validates compensation-related transactions and data in HRIS; runs HRIS reports to support audits and decision-making.
• Partners with Payroll and HRIS to investigate and resolve compensation-related data issues; documents root cause and corrective actions.
• Drafts manager and employee communications related to compensation processes and program changes.
• Supports compliance activities by maintaining documentation, audit trails, and consistent application of pay practices.

General Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required.

Experience: At least 3 years of experience in human resources or a related field required.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required

SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification at the time of hire or attainment within 12 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of compensation principles, market pricing, salary structure concepts, and pay administration practices.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate results into clear recommendations and documentation.
• Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and complex formulas; ability to work in large datasets with accuracy.
• Ability to support job analysis work, including job description review and classification support.
• Strong attention to detail and audit mindset; commitment to data integrity and confidentiality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain pay guidance clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder requests in a fast-paced environment.

OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.