Senior Compensation & Benefits Analyst

Wake Forest University; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC seeks a Senior Compensation & Benefits Analyst to strengthen the university’s total rewards strategy. The role is onsite and full-time, partnering with the Executive Director to support market research, analytics, governance, and compensation planning.

The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of compensation management experience, strong data analysis skills, and the ability to present insights to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of progressive experience in compensation management, financial analysis, or human resources.
• Knowledge of federal regulations regarding employment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive HR information.
• Ability to analyze complex information and report data for executive audiences.
• Professional communication style with high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze, and interpret compensation, benefits, and workforce data from internal and external sources.
• Create reports, dashboards, and presentations to support compensation and benefits decisions.
• Maintain the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of compensation and benefits data.
• Participate in annual compensation planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Prepare compensation recommendations and supporting analysis for senior leadership review.
• Develop compensation models and scenario analyses to support decision-making.
• Monitor compliance with federal, state, and regulatory requirements affecting compensation and benefits.
• Coordinate compensation-related work across HR, Payroll, Finance, and external consultants.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Time management

Decision making

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

HRIS

Job description

Wake Forest University is seeking a Senior Compensation & Benefits Analyst in Winston-Salem, NC to help strengthen the university’s Compensation and Benefits strategy. In this onsite, full-time role, you will partner with the Executive Director and support total rewards teams through market research, analytics, governance, and compensation planning.

What you’ll do

• Collect, analyze, and interpret compensation, benefits, and workforce data from internal and external sources.
• Create reports, dashboards, and presentations to support compensation and benefits decisions.
• Maintain the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of compensation and benefits data.
• Participate in annual compensation planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Support employment agreement administration, compensation adjustments, retention programs, and benefits administration.
• Manage and develop short and long-term incentive programs.
• Coordinate compensation-related work across HR, Payroll, Finance, and external consultants.
• Help evaluate and implement compensation policies and programs.
• Identify opportunities to improve compensation and benefits processes and reporting methods.
• In partnership with the Executive Director, conduct market analyses and benchmark executive compensation against peer institutions, higher education associations, and relevant labor markets.
• Manage executive compensation timelines, calendars, and transactions.
• Support evaluation of program components including base salary, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, supplemental retirement plans, and executive benefits.
• Prepare compensation recommendations and supporting analysis for senior leadership review.
• Develop compensation models and scenario analyses to support strategic decision-making.
• Assist in evaluating and monitoring the performance of the external consulting partner.
• Research emerging trends in compensation and benefits and provide analytical support for organizational needs and projects.
• Contribute to compensation philosophy development and long-term workforce planning efforts.
• Provide functional project management support for total rewards initiatives.
• Monitor compliance with federal, state, and regulatory requirements affecting executive compensation and benefits, including IRS regulations applicable to nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions.
• Support annual executive compensation reviews and documentation processes.
• Prepare materials for compensation and benefits meetings and maintain records and documentation supporting decisions and governance requirements.
• Responsible for your own work.

What you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of progressive experience in compensation management, financial analysis, or human resources.
• Knowledge and understanding of federal regulations regarding employment.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive HR information.
• Ability to analyze complex information, define and solve problems, and collect, analyze, and report data for executive audiences.
• Courteous, professional communication style.
• High attention to detail.
• Efficient and effective decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel), HRIS, internet research, and other relevant software.
• Ability to present with a professional demeanor at all times.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to organize workflow, coordinate activities, maintain customer relations, and multitask with minimal direction.
• Strong critical thinking, decisive judgment, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret and advise on governmental and University policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of constituencies in a diverse and inclusive community.

Preferred experience

• Experience in a higher education environment.
• Experience analyzing base compensation data and performing market analysis and related research.
• Prior experience using Workday.

Tools and systems

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
• HRIS
• Workday

Position details

• Location: Winston-Salem, NC (onsite)
• Full-time time type
• Physical requirements: sedentary work; talking, hearing, and repetitive motions; ability to lift up to 20 pounds; close visual acuity
• Environmental conditions: inside environmental conditions; not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions

Additional notes: This position profile identifies key responsibilities and expectations and may not include every specific task required. Employees must follow other job-related instructions from the supervisor. The role is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Accommodations: If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, contact [e-mail] or [phone].