Total Rewards Optimization Specialist, Full Time

University of Miami; Coral Gables (FL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Miami is seeking a Total Rewards Optimization Specialist to enhance the efficiency and governance of Total Rewards programs, processes, and systems. You will analyze workflows, capture requirements, and collaborate with Total Rewards leadership and stakeholders to drive standardization, automation, and scalable service delivery.

In this role you will document processes, develop SOPs, track projects, and support implementation of changes across compensation, benefits, payroll

Qualifications

• Learning agility: ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Teamwork: ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical proficiency: skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Communication: strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes Total Rewards processes, workflows, and data to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Supports process optimization initiatives by documenting changes to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Reviews data to identify trends, errors, and opportunities for automation or standardization.
• Develops and maintains process documentation including SOPs, workflows, and training materials.
• Coordinates Total Rewards projects by maintaining plans, tracking deliverables, and supporting cross-functional sessions.
• Supports implementation of process changes through design, testing, and stakeholder coordination.
• Creates process maps and operational guides to define roles and responsibilities and SLAs.

Skills

Learning agility

Teamwork

Technical proficiency

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Job description

The Total Rewards Optimization Specialist supports the continuous improvement, operational effectiveness of Total Rewards programs, processes, and systems. This role analyzes processes to identify opportunities for standardization, efficiency, automation, and improved service delivery. The Total Rewards Optimization Specialist partners with Total Rewards leadership, and operational stakeholders to support process improvement initiatives, project coordination, process automation, and employee experience. This role serves as a key resource in helping the Total Rewards function strengthen governance, improve employee and stakeholder experience, and ensure processes are scalable, accurate, and aligned with organizational standards.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

• Analyzes Total Rewards processes, workflows, and data to identify inefficiencies, gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement across compensation, benefits, payroll-related requests, and other Total Rewards programs.
• Supports process optimization initiatives by researching, documenting, and recommending changes that improve operational efficiency, service delivery, data quality, compliance, and stakeholder experience.
• Reviews applicable data to identify trends, errors, and opportunities for automation, standardization, or process redesign.
• Develops and maintains process documentation, including workflows, standard operating procedures, job aids, intake guides, project tracking tools, training materials, and communication templates.
• Coordinates Total Rewards projects and initiatives by maintaining project plans, tracking deliverables, monitoring deadlines, preparing status updates, and supporting cross-functional working sessions.
• Supports implementation of process changes by assisting with design, testing, documentation, communication, stakeholder coordination, and post-implementation follow-up.
• Creates process maps, workflows, and operational guides to clearly define roles, responsibilities, handoffs, escalation paths, and service-level expectations.
• Partners with Total Rewards leadership and team members to evaluate current-state processes and recommend future-state solutions that support improved governance and operational consistency.
• Monitors assigned requests, issues, or project tasks to ensure timely completion, accurate documentation, appropriate follow-up, and alignment with established service standards.
• Prepares reports, dashboards, and summary materials that provide insight into intake volume, turnaround times, issue trends, SLA performance, process bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Assists with audit readiness and compliance support by maintaining accurate records, tracking approvals, documenting process decisions, and supporting internal review activities.
• Facilitates communication with stakeholders by preparing updates, meeting materials, follow-up notes, and written summaries related to Total Rewards projects and process improvements.
• Supports centralized intake and case management processes by helping categorize requests, track assignments, monitor aging items, and identify recurring issues requiring escalation or broader resolution.
• Recommends practical solutions to improve accuracy, reduce manual work, eliminate duplicative processes, and enhance consistency across Total Rewards operations.

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation's premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida. With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status: Full time Employee Type: Staff The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service. A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System ("UHealth") have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation. The University comprises 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 350 majors and programs. Visit welcome.miami.edu/about-um to learn more about our points of pride. The University ranks No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges list and ranked No. 49 in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the USA and offers some of the nation's premiere eye doctors to treat every eye condition for adults. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, part of the Miller School of Medicine, received the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation in 2019. The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several occasions, most recently in 2022. With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe. The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required
• Certification and Licensing: Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant experience required
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
  • Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
  • Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
  • Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.