Sr Compensation Specialist - HR

Ascend Learning; Leawood (KS); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and generous paid time off

Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance

401(k) employer matching program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Ascend Learning in Leawood, KS, is seeking a Sr Compensation Specialist to join our People team. This role is essential for delivering competitive compensation programs that attract and motivate top talent. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience in compensation analysis and advanced Excel skills.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule and a range of benefits, including paid time off and a 401(k) matching program. We celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in compensation analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to convey results to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Participate in administration of compensation programs.
• Collaborate on annual merit and bonus planning.
• Support maintenance of compensation-related data.

Skills

Compensation analysis

Advanced Excel skills

Data management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field

Tools

SAP/SuccessFactors

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Sr Compensation Specialist - HR

Category: Human Resources
Req ID: 1146
Date: Jul 2, 2026
Location: Leawood, KS, US, 66211 Burlington, MA, US, 01803

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Ascend Learning is hiring a Senior Compensation Analyst to join our dynamic People team, reporting to the Vice President, Total Rewards. This role is instrumental in delivering compensation programs that attract, retain, and motivate top talent. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical capabilities, compensation program administration experience, and a collaborative mindset to ensure our programs are competitive, equitable, and aligned with business goals. This role offers the opportunity to partner on compensation program delivery across the organization in support of strategic talent outcomes.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position can work a hybrid schedule from our Leawood, KS office location preferred. Working hybrid from our Burlington, MA office location will also be considered.

HOW YOU'LL SPEND YOUR TIME

Compensation Program Delivery

• Participate in the administration and delivery of compensation programs that support business objectives and talent strategies.
• Collaborate in supporting the annual merit and bonus planning cycle including timely and accurate system setup, preparation of communications and training, supporting users, and preparation of reports and data analyses.
• Support the maintenance of compensation and job-related data in People systems (e.g., SAP/SuccessFactors), ensuring accuracy and compliance. Conduct audits as needed. Understand and advise users on system workflows related to compensation.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports.
• Collaborate on the development of salary structures and compensation recommendations based on market trends and other relevant factors.
• Contribute to and lead compensation-related projects, as assigned.

Market Benchmarking & Analytics

• Evaluate jobs and conduct market benchmark analyses, resulting in recommended job levels, pay ranges and compensation actions.
• Prepare data submissions for compensation surveys, ensuring accuracy and on-time delivery.
• Manage the compensation benchmarking tool, ensuring data integrity and effective utilization for analytics and reporting. Identify and recommend tool features that may enhance Ascend’s benchmarking and analyses.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication

• Advise HR Business Partners and leaders on compensation matters that fall within guidelines; collaborate on recommendations for exception situations.
• Participate in conveying compensation philosophy and program guidelines to the People team, managers and employees.

Compliance & Governance

• Collaborate to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local compensation laws and regulations.
• Maintain documentation and audit readiness for compensation-related processes.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• 5+ years of progressive experience in compensation analysis and compensation program delivery.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency working with HR systems (SAP/SuccessFactors) and Microsoft Office Suite products.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage and analyze large sets of data.
• Ability to clearly convey results and findings to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work effectively cross-functionally and within teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• High level of discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field and CCP certification preferred.

BENEFITS

• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) employer matching program
• Parental leave
• Wellness resources
• Charitable matching program
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
• Community outreach groups
• Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.