Senior Compensation Specialist

Wheels, Inc; Schaumburg (IL); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Wheels, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL is seeking a Senior Total Rewards Analyst to design, govern, and continuously improve compensation and rewards programs that attract, retain, and engage employees.

You will deliver market analysis, compliance support, and data-driven insights to ensure programs remain competitive and equitable. In this hybrid full-time role, you will collaborate with HR partners on pay structures, incentive plans, and total rewards communications, while ensuring data integrity in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business Admin, Economics or related field; equivalent exp accepted.
• Minimum 5 years of compensation, benefits, or HR generalist exp; Compensation Analyst experience preferred.
• CCP or WorldatWork credential preferred; professional certifications valued.

Responsibilities

• Designs, analyzes, and improves compensation and rewards programs for competitiveness and equity.
• Supports annual compensation cycle including merit, bonus, and salary planning with budgets and guidance.
• Audits and administers annual and sales incentive plans.
• Manages Wheels Rewards program including budget tracking and vendor coordination.
• Provides consultative guidance on job evaluations, FLSA status, and internal equity.

Skills

Consultative influence

Stakeholder partnership

Financial modeling

Data visualization

Analytical rigor

Communication

Project management

Ethical judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Finance/Business

CCP or WorldatWork credential preferred

PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP a plus

Tools

Workday

Payfactors

Job description

Job Description: JOB OVERVIEW

The Senior Total Rewards Analyst supports the design, administration, governance, and continuous improvement of compensation and rewards programs that attract, retain, and engage employees. The role provides market analysis, compliance support, data-driven insights, and consultative recommendations to ensure programs remain competitive, equitable, well-controlled, and aligned with business needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Compensation, Rewards, and Recognition Programs

• Administers, analyzes, and recommends improvements to compensation and rewards programs to ensure practices remain competitive, equitable, well-controlled, and aligned with business objectives.
• Supports the annual compensation cycle, including merit, bonus, and salary planning, by preparing budget models, planning tools, manager guidance, and related communications.
• Supports the design, administration, and auditing of annual and sales incentive compensation plans.
• Administers the Wheels Rewards recognition program, including platform and vendor management, budget tracking, award and badge issuance, participant support, and day-to-day program operations.
• Analyzes recognition program participation, utilization, and spend, and partners with the Director on program strategy, design enhancements, communications, and employee and manager enablement initiatives.

Market Pricing and Job Architecture

• Leads market pricing activities by analyzing survey data, industry trends, and best practices to inform salary structures, incentive programs, compensation planning, and pay equity recommendations.
• Develops and maintains salary structures, pay grades, job levels, and career paths to support internal equity, market competitiveness, and consistent job architecture.
• Manages compensation survey vendor relationships and timely, accurate survey submissions to maintain reliable benchmarking data.
• Leads job description development and classification reviews and provides consultative guidance on job evaluations, FLSA status, salary grade alignment, internal equity, and compensation governance.

Analytics, Reporting, and Systems

• Builds compensation models, scenario analyses, and cost-impact assessments for new hires, promotions, reorganizations, compensation programs, and headcount planning.
• Prepares and interprets compensation reports to identify trends, risks, insights, and improvement opportunities and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Configures and maintains Workday compensation data, including job profiles, compensation plans, grades, and data loads, and performs audits to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and effective controls.

Compliance, Consultation, and Communication

• Partners with the Director, Compensation and Rewards, on pay equity reviews, compliance audits, and adherence to federal, state, and multi-state compensation requirements, including pay transparency, IRS, DOL, and FLSA regulations.
• Provides consultative recommendations for new hires, promotions, transfers, reorganizations, and other pay actions to support sound, equitable, and consistently governed compensation decisions.
• Builds consultative relationships with managers and HR partners to understand job responsibilities, organizational structures, and compensation needs.
• Develops total rewards communications, total compensation statements, manager guidance, and employee education resources, and supports training on compensation philosophy, salary planning, and bonus planning.
• General Models company culture and values while collaborating effectively with HR, management, and cross-functional partners.
• Supports special projects, cross-functional initiatives, and other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES - SKILLS

• Consultative influence, stakeholder partnership, and relationship building
• Business acumen, compensation judgment, and total rewards expertise
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights and recommendations
• Integrity, confidentiality, and ethical judgment
• Analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and financial modeling skills
• Data visualization, reporting, and continuous improvement mindset
• Project management and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Recognition program management, employee engagement, and inclusive collaboration

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent experience required. Minimum 5 years of compensation, benefits, or human resources generalist experience, including experience as a Compensation Analyst. Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or other WorldatWork credential preferred; PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP a plus. Demonstrated knowledge of employment laws and regulations, including Pay Transparency, Pay Equity, IRS, DOL regulations, and FLSA. Demonstrated experience with Payfactors and Workday, including the advanced compensation module and job profile and compensation data configuration. Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive compensation data with discretion and sound judgment.

CORE VALUES

At Wheels, we believe in fostering a culture that is built on our Core Values and Guiding Principles. We cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation by upholding these values, driving our collective success and growth. Integrity – Always act with integrity and honesty. One Team – Treat others with dignity and respect; act as a cohesive, inclusive and accountable team that is making a difference. Innovation – Drive continuous improvement, spark creativity and embrace next generation thinking. Customer Success – Ensure that customer and driver success is at the heart of everything we do.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

Discipline Drives Quality – Plan the Trip

Think proactively, hold a high bar, follow through by leveraging experience and systems. To produce quality outcomes, we must be intentional and deliberate in everything we do, from big bets to daily execution.

Intellectually Curious – Fuel Your Minds

Be bold, challenge assumptions, think differently, look outside the box. Strive to unlock your own thinking and create new possibilities.

Commit and Deliver – Own It

Take responsibility for your work, from start to finish, and be accountable for the results. Think and act like an owner of the business.

Relationships Matter – Share the Ride

Trust is central, both with key internal and external stakeholders. Relationships are not a side effect of work but a driver of success.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Environment: This position is IL and operates in a professional office environment.

Position Type/Standard Schedule: This is a hybrid full-time position, Monday through Friday. Three days onsite in office.

Travel: No Travel required for this position.

Physical Demands: This role requires the ability to speak, hear, see, use a computer keyboard and phone, sit or stand for extended periods, and reach above the head to pull paper attachments.

DISCLAIMER

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Our Benefits Wheels recognizes benefits are a significant part of your employee experience, and we've created a robust benefits package that is market-leading, competitive offerings so you and your family can receive outstanding care.

Pay Range

94,000 - 111,000 The base salary range for this position is listed above. This position is eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan which is based on company performance and individual performance. Compensation ranges are based on several factors including job function, level, and geographic location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience, education, certifications, skill level and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed here.

EEO Statement

Wheels is a Drug‑Free Workplace. All employment is contingent on successful completion of drug and background screening. Wheels is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law. Wheels is committed to taking affirmative steps to promote the employment and advancement of minorities, women, persons with disabilities and protected veterans.

Wheels Is Committed to Making Our Organization One of the Best Places to Work As one of the largest fleet management companies in North America, Wheels features a portfolio of 900,000+ vehicles under management across the continent, a global alliance in 61 countries, and a client base that consists of some of the best‑known businesses in the world.

No matter the industry type or business size, we’re proud to work across sales and service fleets, trucks and equipment, and last mile delivery to ensure we power your potential.

The culture at Wheels is the secret to our 80+ years of success. And the reason people choose to join — and stay with — our team.

When you join the team, you'll work with professionals who are passionate, friendly and smart. We foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, combined with the encouragement to continuously learn and grow.

From day one, we invest in your long‑term development through annual performance goals and reviews, educational and wellness programs, awards and celebrations, and more.

Ready to experience the Wheels culture for yourself?

10 years average employee tenure 10 times recognized as one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

50+ health, wellness and engagement benefits 2,500+ online learning programs Wheels is Invested in the Well‑being of the Community and the World We Inhabit Diversity

Community: We are heavily involved in the communities where we operate. We offer opportunities for employees to make a positive impact through mentorship and tutoring elementary school students, participating in blood drives, donating to United Way and other charitable organizations in the greater Chicagoland and Toronto areas.

Sustainability: Wheels is actively committed to becoming a cleaner fleet management company through recycling programs, public transportation support and more.

We Are Dedicated to the Safety and Health of our Employees Our employees are critical to delivering on our commitment to client success, which is why we offer a variety of programs focused on the health and wellness of our people.

Wheels Fosters More Than Just Work Relationships We hire people who have a customer‑focused mindset and a strong collaborative nature. Because at Wheels, customer service and teamwork don't just happen in the office. It is during the informal moments when employee trust is strengthened and friendships are made.

We value these moments, which is why we host departmental contests, summer gatherings, family events, holiday celebrations and more. At Wheels, your well‑being is our priority.

As part of our commitment to your health and well‑being, we’re proud to offer access to the Advocate Health Care Wellness Portal—a personalized platform designed to help you take charge of your health journey.

The 2026 Wellness Program is designed to support you in achieving your personal health goals.

Best of all, it’s flexible and fits into your busy lifestyle.

This program is designed to support your overall well‑being—physically, emotionally, and financially—by providing tools and incentives that encourage healthy living.