Total Rewards Specialist

Michael Best; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Best is seeking a Total Rewards Specialist to administer and improve the Firm’s benefits, leave, and compensation programs to deliver an excellent employee experience and strong governance.

Reporting to the Human Resources Manager, this role partners with vendors, Payroll, Finance, and Firm Leadership to provide accurate, compliant, and timely total rewards services, and manages the Firm’s compensation philosophy and pay structures through market insights and analysis.

Qualifications

• 5+ years total rewards experience focused on benefits and compensation.
• Hands-on leave program administration and third-party leave partner.
• Knowledge of COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA compliance.
• Experience in salary surveys, market research, pay equity analysis, or job evaluation.
• HRIS proficiency; UKG experience preferred.
• Clear, professional communication with stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Strong analytical and process-improvement skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Use of approved AI-enabled tools to improve quality and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Manage and continuously improve benefits and leave programs with vendors.
• Lead open enrollment planning and execution including communications and audits.
• Serve as UKG benefits module SME; maintain configuration and reporting.
• Ensure programs comply with COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA and Firm policies.
• Lead benefits compliance efforts and ensure timely employee notices and reporting.
• Provide high-quality support to employees and HR Advisors; coach HR Representatives.
• Support the Firm’s compensation philosophy, pay bands, benchmarking, and governance.
• Partner with leadership to design compensation programs for attraction, retention, and equity.
• Conduct market research and participate in compensation surveys; provide analysis.
• Manage workers’ compensation and unemployment claims with Payroll as needed.
• Oversee leave benefits (FMLA/ parental/ STD) with HR and third-party administrator.

Skills

Leave administration

HRIS proficiency

Compensation program support

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Discretion with confidential info

Collaboration

AI tool usage

Tools

UKG experience

Job description

Michael Best is seeking a Total Rewards Specialist to administer and improve the Firm’s benefits, leave, and compensation programs to deliver an excellent employee experience and strong governance. Reporting to the Human Resources Manager, this role partners with vendors, Payroll, Finance, and Firm Leadership to provide accurate, compliant, and timely total rewards services, and manages the Firm’s compensation philosophy and pay structures through market insights and analysis.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage and continuously improve benefits and leave programs (enrollments, life events, terminations, ) in partnership with vendors.
• Lead open enrollment planning and execution, including communications, HRIS configuration, vendor feeds, and post-enrollment audits.
• Serve as the UKG benefits module subject matter expert; maintain accurate plan configuration, data integrity, file integrations, and reporting.
• Ensure programs and processes comply with applicable laws and requirements (including COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA) and Firm policies; support audits and required filings.
• Lead benefits compliance efforts, monitoring regulatory requirements, partnering with brokers and vendors, and ensuring accurate, timely delivery of all required employee notices, disclosures, and reporting obligations.
• Provide responsive, high-quality support to employees and HR Advisors; coach/mentor the HR Representative on benefits processes and issue resolution.
• Support the Firm’s compensation philosophy and structures, including pay bands/ranges, job benchmarking/leveling support, and governance documentation.
• Partner with Firm leadership to build and maintain a comprehensive compensation program, including compensation philosophy, market benchmarking, salary range design, and compensation governance that support talent attraction, retention, and internal equity.
• Conduct market research and participate in compensation surveys; provide analyses and recommendations related to competitiveness and internal equity.
• Manage workers’ compensation and coordinate unemployment claims with Payroll, as needed.
• Oversee leave benefits such as FMLA/parental/STD in partnership with HR Representative and third-party leave administrator.

Job Requirements:

Education & Experience

• 5+ years of total rewards experience with an emphasis on benefits and compensation administration (health and welfare) and employee support.
• Hands-on experience administering leave programs (e.g., FMLA, parental leave, STD) and partnering with a third-party leave administrator.
• Working knowledge of benefits and compensation compliance requirements and administration practices, including COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA.
• Experience supporting compensation programs, including participation in salary surveys, market research, pay equity analysis, and/or job evaluation.
• HRIS proficiency; experience as a benefits module SME strongly preferred (UKG experience preferred).
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with employees and stakeholders at multiple levels; discretion with sensitive/confidential information.
• Strong analytical and process-improvement skills (Excel/HR reporting) with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong execution and organization; able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High attention to detail and data accuracy; disciplined follow-through.
• Sound judgment and discretion with sensitive/confidential information.
• Service mindset with clear, professional communication.
• Collaborative approach; able to build credibility with partners at multiple levels.
• Required: Use approved AI-enabled tools responsibly and effectively to improve quality, efficiency, and decision-making, consistent with organizational policies, confidentiality, and applicable laws.

The Company

This is an opportunity to work with the Best. We are Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP. We are a full-service law firm with more than 350 lawyers and technical professionals who work in collaborative, interdisciplinary practices to serve clients around the world.

We work with companies in all kinds of industries, as well as trade associations, nonprofits, educational institutions, governments, family trusts, and high-net-worth individuals. Since our firm’s founding in 1848, we’ve continuously evolved to meet our clients’ changing needs and expectations. One thing remains the same: For generations, clients have relied on Michael Best for exceptional legal service and business acumen.

The Location

We have offices in Wisconsin (Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Waukesha); Illinois (Chicago); Utah (Salt Lake City); Colorado (Denver, Broomfield); Texas (Austin); North Carolina (Charlotte, Durham, Raleigh, Wilmington); California (Los Angeles); Nebraska (Lincoln); and Washington DC. Our contemporary office spaces are ideal for concentration and collaboration; supporting our culture of working together to make great things happen for our Clients. This position can be based in any of our offices.

Why You Should Apply

At Michael Best, we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that provides a variety of resources designed to enhance its employees’ overall well‑being, both at work and at home. Competitive base pay, outstanding benefits, opportunities for learning and growth, programs designed to help you plan for the future, and perks that inspire your downtime are all part of our total compensation package.

Learning and Growth

• Challenging and Dynamic Role
• Professional Growth Opportunities
• Performance Management and Coaching
• Specialized Training Programs
• Medical
• Vision Care
• Health Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Program
• Employee and Family Assistance Program

Total Compensation

• Competitive Base Pay
• Annual Merit Review/Incentive Pay

Planning for the Future

• 401(k) with Company Contribution
• Short Term Disability Plan
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Parental/Family Leave

Culture and Workplace

• Respected organization with Collaborative Culture
• Growing Firm with an Exciting Future
• Contemporary Work Environment
• Positive and Respectful Work Climate
• Performance Recognition

The target compensation for this position is $100,000, with flexibility depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP and Michael Best Strategies LLC (collectively known as "Michael Best") are steadfastly committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination based upon age, race, religion, color, disability, marital status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact our Recruiting team at 414.225.4999 or [e-mail] to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.