Senior Compensation Specialist

Cetera Financial Group; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Mental health benefits

PTO & holidays

401(k) matching

Parental leave

Health Savings Account

EAP & LifeLock

Pet insurance

Job summary

Cetera Financial Group in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior Compensation Specialist to manage external market data, shape Cetera’s job architecture and administer compensation programs. The role blends analysis, design and governance across HR partners and business teams, with a hybrid schedule and in-office days.

You will lead benchmarking, develop pay ranges, ensure compliance, and support the annual merit process while collaborating with compensation leadership to align with organizational

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-years of experience in compensation.
• Bachelor’s degree related field required; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy and deadlines.
• Ability to partner with cross-functional teams and handle confidential information.
• Proficient in Excel including pivot tables and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Regularly evaluate compensation practices for market competitiveness and alignment with organizational goals.
• Conduct benchmarking with external market data and internal pay levels to ensure competitive ranges.
• Analyze benchmarking data, identify trends, and assist in funding decisions and pay range updates.
• Collaborate with Compensation Leadership and HR to implement job evaluations, create job descriptions, and maintain job architecture.
• Assist in planning, administering, and communicating the annual merit process.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing compensation.

Skills

Compensation experience

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Discretion with confidential data

Fast-paced adaptation

Excel data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree related field

Equivalent work experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Compensation Specialist is responsible for managing the collection and analysis of external compensation market data, shaping and maintaining Cetera’s job architecture and a variety of compensation programs, processes and projects that support HR and business teams across Cetera Financial Group.

This position is a hybrid role based in San Diego, CA. We value both collaboration and flexibility with employees working from the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and the first and third Fridays of each month.

The successful candidate will be excited about the opportunity to contribute to the creation, implementation and administration of Cetera Financial Group’s compensation and rewards programs that drive and support Company growth and employee engagement.

What You Will Do

• Responsible for regular evaluation of the existing compensation practices, policies and guidelines ensuring they are market competitive, impactful, engaging, cost effective, efficient, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Conducts regular review and participation of compensation benchmarking (external market data and internal pay levels) to ensure consistent and competitive compensation ranges for each position.
• Responsible for analyzing benchmarking data, identifying trends and opportunity areas, supporting funding and accrual analysis and decisions, building / amending internal pay ranges, etc.
• Works closely with Compensation Leadership and HR partners in executing job evaluations, creating job descriptions, developing career families, conducting FLSA review to ensure proper compliance, and making necessary changes to Cetera’s job architecture that keep pace with business requirements.
• Responsible for assisting in planning, administration, execution, and communication of the annual merit process.
• Responsible for ensuring employee compensation and all compensation practices comply with Federal, state, and local legislation, and other government and regulatory requirements.

What You Will Have

• Minimum 3-years of experience in Compensation
• Bachelor’s degree related field required. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Proven attention to detail, accuracy and delivering results to deadlines
• Proven effectiveness in partnering, engaging, and working with cross-functional teams
• Proven ability to use discretion, good judgment and to handle sensitive employee information in a secure, confidential manner
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced environment delivering accurate information
• Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, v-lookups, and data analysis

What Is Nice To Have

• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) certification
• Experience using PayFactors
• Strong interpersonal, written & verbal communication skills
• Excellent research, problem diagnosis and analytical skills
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible while responding to deadlines and managing service level agreements
• Superior listening skills
• Strong dedicated work ethic with strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to multi-task and manage deadlines
• Adaptable to change along with the needs & priorities of the business

Compensation Range

The salary range for this role is $85,000 - $100,000, plus a competitive performance-based bonus. Compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and specific office location. Compensation ranges may differ in differing locations due to cost of labor considerations.

About Us

What We Give You In Return

• Inclusive health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans built to support diverse lifestyles, offer preventative care, and protect against hardship.
• Easy access to mental health benefits to meet our team members and their families where they are.
• 20+ days of paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and 2 paid wellness days to give our employees the time they need to stay close with their loved ones, recharge, and give back to their communities.
• 401(k) savings plan with a generous company contribution (up to 5%), and access to a financial professional to offer our employees the opportunity to plan-ahead for a strong financial future well beyond their working years.
• Paid parental leave to support all team members with birth, adoption, and fostering.
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Account options to help you save money on healthcare, daycare, commuting, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), LifeLock, Pet Insurance and more.
• Paid caregiver leave to provide time away from work when caring for an ill or recovering family member.
• Additional benefits such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), identity theft protection (LifeLock), pet insurance, and other voluntary benefits to provide extra peace of mind

About Cetera

Cetera Financial Group ® (Cetera) is a leading network of independent retail broker-dealers and registered investment advisers empowering the delivery of objective financial advice to individuals, families, and company retirement plans across the country through trusted financial advisors and financial institutions. Cetera is one of the largest independent financial advisor networks in the nation and a leading provider of retail services to the investment programs of banks and credit unions. Advisor support resources offered through Cetera include award-winning wealth management and advisory platforms, comprehensive broker-dealer and registered investment adviser services, practice management support, and innovative technology. Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is a network of independent retail firms, including those that are members of FINRA/SIPC: Cetera Advisors LLC; Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (formerly known as Cetera Advisor Networks); Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors); and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Entities registered as investment advisers with the Securities and Exchange Commission include Cetera Investment Management LLC and Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera's principal office is located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. is an SEC registered investment adviser within the Aretec Group, Inc. (dba Cetera Holdings, an affiliate of Cetera). All the referenced entities are under common ownership.

Cetera Financial Group is committed to providing an equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. For us, this is the only acceptable way to do business. Accordingly, all employment decisions at Cetera Financial Group, including those relating to hiring, promotion, transfers, benefits, compensation, and placement, will be made without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic characteristics, religion, religious dress and/or grooming, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, U.S. military status, political affiliation, or any other class protected by state and/or federal law.

Agencies please note

This recruitment assignment is being managed directly by Cetera’s Talent Acquisition team. We will reach out to our preferred agency partners in the rare instance we require additional talent options. Your respect for this process is appreciated.

Please review our Workforce Privacy Policy for further details on what information we collect and the purposes for collection.