Senior Compensation Analyst

University of Colorado System; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No-cost or low-cost medical & dental

Tuition benefit

Paid holidays and winter break

RTD EcoPass

Free onsite parking

Job summary

University of Colorado System Administration seeks a Senior Compensation Analyst to support the HR team with complex compensation analysis, pay range updates, and annual cycles. You will guide HR Partners, advise on job levels, and help ensure compliant, equitable pay decisions across CU's system offices.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, collaboration with departments, and leveraging AI tools to improve processes. Hybrid Colorado-based work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in HR/compensation.
• 3+ years in compensation or a related HR function with pay practices.
• Experience with compensation data, job descriptions, and pay range reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual compensation cycles and pay range updates with data analysis.
• Support HR Partners with compliant compensation decisions and workforce planning.
• Develop and improve compensation programs, processes, tools, and AI integrations.
• Provide guidance on job levels, descriptions, and pay structures.

Skills

Compensation analysis

HR business partnering

Data analysis

Advanced Excel

oral & written communication

AI in compensation

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

PeopleSoft HCM

Taleo Enterprise Edition

Data reporting tools

Job description

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in HigherEducation!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado,we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feelsvalued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committedto fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense ofbelonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to ourmission and purpose.

By joining our team, you'll have a direct impact on shaping thefuture of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Boardof Regents, the University of Colorado's system administrationincludes 19 units that provide essential services to CU's campusesin Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as theOffice of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we areproud to serve in the centralized office for the University system.Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education,groundbreaking research, and valuable service to ourcommunities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiencesand perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we doand the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you're passionate aboutmaking a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supportinga mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part ofour journey. Learn more about CUSystem Administration.

Position Summary:

Employee Services provides the CU community with excellent servicesfrom recruitment to retirement. This office provides technicalexpertise while administering benefits, professional development,payroll, individual tax management, and strategic HR programs. Thefunctional areas of Employee Services include Payroll,Technologies, Benefits, Retirement, Financial Education, Learningand Development, International Tax and Human Resources.

The Senior Compensation Analyst serves in a specialist capacity toassist the University of Colorado's System Administration HR teamin performing complex compensation analysis, job level andclassification reviews, support of unique compensation requests,annual pay program cycles and activities, and support of data andtools. This role will provide guidance and consultation to theSystem HR Team HR Partners, and when requested, to Systemdepartments and managers, by advising on best practices to attract,motivate, and retain talent while driving sound and compliantemployment decisions.

This position reports to the Compensation and Talent ProgramManager and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staffsystem.

Where You Will Work:

Applicants must be Colorado residents or able to relocate toColorado within a month of starting employment with University ofColorado System Administration.

This role is eligible to work remotely within Colorado, with theexpectation of being in the office in Denver, CO, 1-3 days amonth.

Please note, leadership may adjust in-office work requirementswith a minimum of three months' notice before any change can beimplemented.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are notlimited to:

• Annual Compensation Cycles & Compensation Project Management
  
  
  
  • Annual Pay Range Updates: Coordinates, prepares, and validatesdata and identifies market. movement and trends, and works tosupport recommendations for annual pay range updates.
  
  
  • Annual Compensation Increases (merit): Coordinates and supportsthe annual compensation increase process, including preparation ofdata and workbooks, tracking department actions, supporting HRPartners through the process.
  
  
  • Talent Reviews: Support department talent review cyclesensuring consistent application of compensation practices.
  
  
  • Promotions and Pay Growth: Collects and provides analysis ofpromotions and pay growth actions.
  
  
  
  


• Identifies process gaps, risks, inconsistencies, andopportunities for improvement throughout annual compensation cyclesand brings recommendations forward to Compensation leadership.


• Supports the development and continuous improvement ofcompensation programs, processes, tools, and resources, includingintegrating AI tools.


• Supports complex projects and initiatives and develops orimplements new practices, processes, tools, and resources withinassigned areas of expertise.


• Compensation Analysis and Business Partnership
  
  
  
  • Consult with and provide guidance to HR Partners regardingcompensation knowledge, data, tools, and resources needed to makeinformed, consistent, and compliant compensation decisionsincluding:
  
  
  • Workforce planning (new positions, backfills, drafting jobdescriptions)
  
  
  • Review of internal equity and compliance
  
  
  • Succession
  
  
  • Emerging capabilities (AI and other skills)
  
  
  • Processing and routing approvals
  
  
  
  


• Partners with other HR Specialists team to develop, administer,and continuously improve training, communications, and resourcesthat increase understanding of compensation programs andprocesses.


• Oversee tool to track all position reviews andtransactions.


• Manage positions in HRIS system and manage JD Library.


• Conduct assessments on Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) andColorado State System exemption status.


• Providing analysis and solutions for unique business problemsincluding one-time pay bonuses, pay programs, temporary paydifferentials, counter offers, and retention programs.


• Responsible for regular data and reporting to System HR team,HR Partners, and on an as-needed basis for departments andleadership.


• Ensure compensation practices meet compliance with particularfocus on the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

What We Offer:

Salary:

Salary: The anticipated hiring range has been established at $80,000 - $82,000.

CU System Administration takes into consideration a combination ofthe selected candidate's education, training and experience as itrelates to the position, as well as the position's scope andcomplexity, internal pay equity and external market value whendetermining a salary level for potential new employees.

Benefits:

With our unparalleled range of benefits, includingtop-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enrichingprofessional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, weensure your holistic growth and happiness.

• No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.


• Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.


• Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.


• Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent careflexible spending accounts.


• Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick andvacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includesa dedicated week off for winter break.


• 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys ofparenthood.


• A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.


• Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 GrantStreet Office.


• Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive BenefitsGuide. Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staffposition)

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of highereducation, or equivalent professional experience (professionalexperience may be substituted for the educational requirement on ayear-for-year basis)


• Three (3) years of experience serving in a human resourcescapacity including multiple of the following:
  
  
  
  • Experience working in or directly with an HR Compensationfunction
  
  
  • Experience reviewing job descriptions and making determinationson position levels and pay
  
  
  • Experience creating, updating, or administering pay ranges
  
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) years' equivalent human resources experience, asindicated above, including:
  
  
  
  • At least three (3) of those years working in a dedicated Compensation role
  
  
  
  


• Familiarity with human resources systems and procedures(Peoplesoft HCM, Taleo Enterprise Edition, or similarplatforms)


• Experience working with or for an institution of highereducation


• Experience using AI in a business setting


• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To be successful in this position a candidate will need thefollowing:

• General knowledge and understanding of business/organizationalstructures


• Customer service skills, including the ability to activelylisten, address customer needs, defuse tense situations, andmaintain an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor


• Oral, written, and listening communication skills, includingthe ability to accurately interpret what others are saying andconvey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately andclearly


• Computer skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Officeprograms (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and learnand experiment with new software and systems


• Comfort working with databases, website and electronicresources


• Ability to connect managers and teams to resources and guidethem on process


• Collaboration skills, including the ability to work with othersfrom different areas and backgrounds to reach a common goal


• Ability to influence managers and department leaders in supportof strong decisions


• Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meetgoals, coordinate and facilitate meetings, and make decisions


• Deep excel knowledge and analytical skills


• Ability to compile and report on large data sets


• Ability to prompt artificial intelligence via a large languagemodel (LLM)


• Knowledge of Colorado Labor and Pay Transparency laws


• Knowledge of federal labor and FLSA laws and statutes

Sponsorship Statement:

We are unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for thisposition.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado is committed to providing a safe andproductive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, weconduct background investigations for all final applicants beingconsidered for employment. Background investigations include acriminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financialand/or motor vehicle history. The Immigration Reform and ControlAct requires that a verification of employment eligibility bedocumented for all new employees by the end of the third day ofwork. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity andequality in education and employment.

ADA Statement:

We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process.We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodationthrough the search process such as alternative formats of thisposting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodationsthroughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinatorat: [e-mail].