Compensation and Benefits Specialist - Total Rewards Management

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical aid

Pension fund

Annual leave

Training & development

Remote work arrangement

Access to advanced HR analytics tools

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Compensation and Benefits Specialist to lead our Total Rewards initiatives in Richards Bay / KwaZulu-Natal. You will design and manage salary structures, incentive plans, and employee benefits, aligning rewards with market trends and organizational goals.

You will analyze compensation data, benchmark against industry standards, and collaborate with vendors while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, or business admin; postgraduate certs are a plus.
• 5+ years of progressive compensation and benefits experience, with total rewards focus.
• Strong knowledge of SA labor laws impacting compensation and benefits.
• Excellent analytical, numerical, and reporting skills (Excel, HRIS).
• Vendor management and contractor negotiation experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage compensation and benefits programs (salary structures, incentives, health insurance, retirement plans).
• Conduct market benchmarking to ensure competitiveness of total rewards packages.
• Analyze compensation data and recommend salary range adjustments and incentive changes.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors and brokers, including contract negotiations.
• Administer benefit plans: enrollment, claims processing, inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations (e.g., Basic Conditions of Employment Act).
• Develop communications to educate employees about compensation and benefits.
• Support annual salary review and bonus processes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Excel proficiency

HRIS systems

Vendor management

Communication skills

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / Finance / Business Admin

Post-graduate qualification or professional certification (e.g., CCP, CBP)

Tools

HRIS platforms

Salary benchmarking software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the industrial manufacturing sector, is seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Compensation and Benefits Specialist to lead their Total Rewards initiatives. This critical role will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing competitive and equitable compensation and benefits programs that attract, retain, and motivate our valued employees. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring our reward strategies align with market trends and our organizational goals. This exciting opportunity is based within the key industrial hub of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal , offering a chance to significantly impact our employee value proposition.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, administer, and communicate comprehensive compensation and benefits programs, including salary structures, incentive plans, health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee perks.
• Conduct market research and benchmarking to ensure our total rewards packages are competitive and aligned with industry standards.
• Analyze compensation data, identify trends, and make recommendations for adjustments to salary ranges and incentive programs.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors and brokers, negotiating contracts and ensuring service level agreements are met.
• Administer all employee benefit plans, including enrollment, claims processing, and employee inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations pertaining to compensation and benefits (e.g., Basic Conditions of Employment Act).
• Develop communication materials to educate employees about their compensation and benefits.
• Support the HR team in the annual salary review and bonus process.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and recommend improvements to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A relevant post-graduate qualification or professional certification (e.g., CCP, CBP) is a significant advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in compensation and benefits administration, with a strong focus on total rewards strategy.
• Proven experience in developing and managing salary structures, incentive plans, and broad-based benefits programs.
• In-depth knowledge of South African labor laws and regulations impacting compensation and benefits.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in Excel and HRIS systems for data analysis and reporting.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Experience in managing vendor relationships and negotiating contracts.
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Previous experience in the Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal region or related industries is beneficial.

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary, reflecting the expertise and impact of this role.
• Comprehensive private medical aid and robust pension fund options.
• Generous annual leave allowance, encouraging work-life balance.
• Opportunities for specialized training and professional development in total rewards.
• A remote work arrangement, offering flexibility and autonomy.
• Access to advanced HR and analytics tools.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement within the organization.