Lead Compensation and Benefits Specialist (Remote)

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health & retirement benefits

Generous paid time off

Remote-first culture

Professional growth support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Compensation and Benefits Specialist to design and oversee global comp and benefits programs in a fully remote setting. You will drive benchmarking, salary structures, and incentive plans while managing external vendors and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in C&B, strong financial modeling, and excellent communication skills to influence stakeholders across regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Finance, Business Administration or related field.
• Master's degree or CCP/CBP is highly desirable.
• 8+ years in compensation & benefits, including 3+ in lead/specialist roles.
• Proven global compensation & benefits program experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage global compensation and benefits programs.
• Conduct market benchmarking and salary band development.
• Oversee merit cycles, bonuses, and communications.
• Manage vendor relationships for benefits administration.
• Ensure compliance with regulations across jurisdictions.
• Develop communication strategies for programs to staff and managers.
• Analyze C&B data to identify trends and improvements.
• Collaborate with HR partners to align rewards with business goals.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Communication

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Finance/Business Administration

Master's degree or CCP/CBP

Tools

HRIS systems

Compensation management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding multinational corporation with a strong commitment to its global workforce, is seeking an experienced Lead Compensation and Benefits Specialist to join their entirely remote team. This critical role will oversee the design, implementation, and administration of comprehensive compensation and benefits programs that attract, retain, and motivate top talent across the organization. As a fully remote employer, we emphasize a culture of trust, innovation, and flexibility. The Lead Specialist will be instrumental in ensuring our reward strategies are competitive, equitable, and aligned with our business objectives. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned C&B professional to shape and lead impactful programs in a dynamic, virtual-first environment, driving significant value to the organization and its employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and administration of the company's global compensation and benefits programs, including base pay, incentives, equity, health insurance, retirement plans, and other statutory and non-statutory benefits.
• Conduct market research and benchmarking to ensure the competitiveness and cost-effectiveness of all compensation and benefits offerings.
• Develop and maintain compensation structures, job grading systems, and salary bands to support fair and equitable pay practices.
• Oversee the annual merit review and bonus cycles, ensuring timely and accurate processing and communication.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and brokers for benefits administration, ensuring service level agreements are met and costs are optimized.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant national and international regulations related to compensation and benefits.
• Develop communication strategies to effectively explain and promote compensation and benefits programs to employees and managers.
• Analyze C&B data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and provide recommendations for improvements.
• Partner with HR colleagues and business leaders to ensure C&B programs support talent attraction, retention, and engagement goals.
• Provide guidance and support to HR Business Partners and managers on compensation and benefits-related issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master's degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., CCP, CBP) is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in compensation and benefits, with at least 3 years in a lead or specialist role.
• Proven experience in designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive global compensation and benefits programs.
• Strong understanding of compensation philosophies, job evaluation methodologies, salary benchmarking, and incentive plan design.
• Experience with benefits administration, vendor management, and compliance.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and financial modeling skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in HRIS and compensation management software.
• Experience in a fully remote work environment is a significant advantage.
• Ability to manage complex projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, virtual setting.

Benefits

Our client provides an attractive compensation package, including a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, retirement planning support, and generous paid time off. As a remote-first organization, we offer flexibility in work arrangements and invest in our employees' professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities. Join our client and play a key role in shaping their global reward strategy from the comfort of your remote workspace.

• competitive salary
• comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• retirement planning support
• generous paid time off
• flexibility in work arrangements
• invest in our employees' professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities