This role is responsible for formalizing Total Rewards as a dedicated HR capability, serving as the primary compensation and benefits subject matter leader. The manager will administer and continuously improve compensation, job architecture, salary structures, benefits, recognition, and related Total Rewards programs. A near-term priority will be to operationalize and govern recently implemented tools for consistent use in pay decisions.
Responsibilities
Own day-to-day administration and governance of Whelen's compensation programs, job architecture, Career Pathways, and salary structures
Maintain job families, levels, titles, and salary bands; evaluate new or changing roles and ensure consistent job mapping and market positioning
Conduct market pricing and benchmarking, maintain compensation survey sources, and recommend periodic updates to salary structures and pay practices
Maintain practical compensation guidelines and decision tools for offers, promotions, internal moves, retention adjustments, and other pay actions
Use the job architecture and salary bands as the foundation for consistent pay and career decisions across the organization
Lead the annual merit and salary planning cycle in partnership with Finance, HR Business Partners, and HRIS & HR Operations, including budgeting, manager guidance, execution, and reporting
Provide HR Business Partners with market data, pay guidance, and recommendations for individual compensation decisions while preserving the HRBP as the primary business-facing advisor
Administer and improve variable pay and other compensation programs, supporting design changes as business needs evolve
Monitor internal equity, range positioning, pay compression, market competitiveness, and other compensation trends and recommend appropriate actions
Oversee benefits program management in partnership with Whelen's broker, vendors, and internal stakeholders
Oversee renewals, plan changes, vendor performance, employee communications, and resolution of significant service issues
Monitor cost, utilization, service, and employee experience metrics and identify practical opportunities to improve program value and delivery
Support the administration and continuous improvement of Whelen's employee recognition programs
Partner with Employee Engagement and Communications Lead to create clear tools and communications that help employees and managers understand compensation philosophy, salary bands, Career Pathways, benefits, and the broader value of Total Rewards
Equip HR Business Partners with resources and guidance for effective manager and employee conversations about pay and rewards
Partner with the Manager, HRIS & HR Operations to maintain job, compensation, merit, and related Total Rewards processes in Workday, including data quality, configuration requirements, testing, and reporting
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Maintain policies, process documentation, controls, and governance needed for consistent, compliant, and defensible Total Rewards decisions
Produce clear compensation and benefits analyses for HR leadership, Finance, HR Business Partners, and other stakeholders
Build a strong operating partnership with HR Business Partners, who remain the primary relationship owners for business leaders and a critical delivery channel for Total Rewards programs
Partner with Talent Management to ensure job architecture, Career Pathways, and compensation programs support career development, internal mobility, succession, and talent priorities
Partner with Finance, HRIS & HR Operations, and external advisors on workforce cost modeling, program administration, compliance, and process improvement
Serve as a core member of the HR Leadership Team and contribute Total Rewards expertise to broader HR priorities
Requirements
6+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least three years focused on compensation or Total Rewards
Demonstrated experience administering and improving compensation programs, salary structures, annual merit processes, and related pay practices
Experience operating and governing job architecture, job levels, salary bands, and market-pricing processes
Strong analytical skills, including experience with compensation surveys, market data, Excel modeling, and data-driven recommendations
Experience partnering with HR Business Partners and Finance on compensation decisions, planning cycles, and business needs
Working knowledge of benefits programs and experience partnering with brokers, vendors, or external advisors
Strong communication and judgment, with the ability to explain compensation and benefits decisions clearly to HR, managers, and employees
Conversant in English
Nice to have:
Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, industrial, or multi-site environment
Familiarity with Workday Compensation, Advanced Compensation, or a comparable HCM platform
Experience managing compensation survey subscriptions, benefits vendors, or external Total Rewards consultants
CCP, GRP, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or related credential
Important Details
All employees shall comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements
Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards
Attend scheduled EH&S training program
Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans
Recommend improved EH&S practices
About the Company
Whelen Engineering Company is an American corporation that designs and manufactures audio and visual warning equipment for automotive, aviation, and mass notification industries worldwide.
