Total Rewards Specialist

at  SAIT

Our people make SAIT great. The Human Resources team is here to help you make the most of your career at SAIT. Building on the Strategic Plan, our people plan provides opportunities to learn, develop and grow.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

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• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to prepare clear and concise documents, information, and data reports to convey complex concepts to a broad audience

• Ability to manage priorities and workload independently
• Strong customer service focus with sound professional judgment skills
• Continuous improvement mindset, committed to staying abreast of related trends, research, and best practice
• Ability to think critically and strategically to creatively problem solve
• Ability to demonstrate tact and respect for confidential material

SAIT Core Capabilities

• Creativity – the willingness to experiment, improvise, innovate and imagine.
• Critical Thinking – analyzing, evaluating, synthesizing, and reconstructing information to inform and make decisions
• Citizenship – understanding and facilitating the connection between people, society and the planet for the sustainability of systems, both cultural and environmental.
• Curiosity – seeking out current information and experiences and strives for understanding.
• Connection – building effective relationships. Working effectively and communicating with others across differences.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

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• Post-secondary degree, with preference given to specialties in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• 5 or more years’ established experience in Toward Rewards including Compensation, Benefits and Pension.
• Proven track record building and implementing complex Total Rewards strategies and programs.
• Proficiency in advanced excel such as experience building macros, compensation spreadsheets, etc.
• Completion of CCP and/or CEBS designation (or currently enrolled) is desired.
• Preference will be given to related experience in a unionized environment.
  Job classification: P5954 - Sr Pension & Ben Specialist
  Salary range: $95,000 - $105,000
  Hours Per Week: 37.5
  Posting closing date: January 21, 2025
  View a summary of our Benefits & Perks for salaried employees as one of Alberta’s Top Employers, including health & dental care, pension plan, vacation & special leave and flexible work options at our beautiful inner-city campus.

ABOUT SAIT

SAIT is a global leader in applied education. Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we offer the chance to work with a purpose — preparing the next generation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and explorers.
Building on our 100+ year history, we’re looking for innovative, bold and collaborative employees who embrace change and deliver world-class customer experiences. Your future starts now at SAIT.
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is essential to achieving SAIT’s vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about EDI at SAIT.
At SAIT, we understand that experience comes in many forms. We’re dedicated to adding diverse perspectives to SAIT - so if your experience is close to what we’re looking for, please consider applying.
SAIT is committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with applicants to provide accommodations upon request to the Talent Advisor.

Education & Communications

• Educate employees on total rewards programs and communicate these programs effectively to senior leadership, including executives and directors.
• Create and deliver communication materials, total rewards statements, and information sessions to improve education and engagement on total rewards programs.
• Act as a subject matter expert, supporting and educating team members and employees on complex compensation, pension, and benefit matters.
• Respond to employee questions and inquiries in a ticketing system, ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
• Create standardized responses for common, entry-level questions to streamline the communication process.
• Provide feedback on communication needs and contribute to the development of new communication materials to enhance employee understanding and engagement with total rewards programs

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• Strategic Oversight & Governance

• Provide strategic oversight in areas of compensation, pension and benefits, and recognition related programming including the design, maintenance, costing, and continuous improvement of associated systems, structures, and philosophies.
• Collaborate with departments and individuals across Human Resources, Finance and other Business Units to ensure alignment and coordination of advisory, transactional, and strategic functions.
• Support bargaining preparations and work collaboratively with union stakeholders to ensure compliant, efficient and optimal use of related programs.
• Partners with external vendors to develop and maintain ongoing relationships, including the participation in client meetings and consultant data review sessions.
• Ensures the effective resolution of complex issues to ensure a positive employee experience.
• Stay abreast of legislation and the political landscape to ensure compliance of policies and programs and support future state readiness.
• Leads special projects, strategy development, measurement, and analysis of trends related to total rewards.
• Creates and maintains procedural documentation for all day-to-day and periodic processes, ensuring integrity and efficiency.

Program Management

• Lead compensation program management, including the design and maintenance of job evaluation and grading structures, survey participation, pay equity review, and compliance reporting, including required compensation disclosure obligations.
• Conduct benchmarking studies and market analysis to ensure competitive total rewards offerings.
• Develop and implement strategies to promote equity and inclusiveness in compensation and benefits.
• Leads and manages pension programs (defined benefit, defined contribution), group savings programs (TFSA, RRSP), and Supplemental Executive plans, ensuring compliance with pension plan texts, pension legislation, and SAIT policies.
• Manage benefits renewals and day-to-day administration, including maintaining employee benefits records, processing changes, enrollments, and renewals, and verifying and analyzing coverage. This includes managing annual projects, census data, spending accounts, overage dependents, annual benefits statements, rate changes, insurance policy renewals, and reviewing SAIT programs and Policies and Procedures.
• Manage all leave programs, including short-term and long-term disability, parental leave, and lifecycle events such as employee death.
• Support effective pension and benefit program management including the ongoing monitoring of plan utilization, annual renewals, costs, and budget.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of total rewards programs.
• Prepare materials for Board & Committee meetings

• Oversee and audit programs for governance, compliance, and data integrity.

Vendor Management

• Manage relationships with external vendors, including negotiating contracts and ensuring service delivery meets organizational standards.

• Participate in client meetings and consultant data review sessions to develop and maintain ongoing vendor relationships.

Education & Communications

• Educate employees on total rewards programs and communicate these programs effectively to senior leadership, including executives and directors.
• Create and deliver communication materials, total rewards statements, and information sessions to improve education and engagement on total rewards programs.
• Act as a subject matter expert, supporting and educating team members and employees on complex compensation, pension, and benefit matters.
• Respond to employee questions and inquiries in a ticketing system, ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
• Create standardized responses for common, entry-level questions to streamline the communication process.

• Provide feedback on communication needs and contribute to the development of new communication materials to enhance employee understanding and engagement with total rewards programs.

Data Analysis & Trends

• Research, evaluate, and summarize trends related to compensation and other rewards programs to enhance culture and improve the employee experience.
• Ensure accurate data management and financial reconciliations, auditing pension, benefits, payroll, and vendor systems to ensure data integrity.
• Operate as a subject matter expert for related data gathering efforts, survey participation, pay equity reviews, and other compliance related reporting and disclosure obligations.
• Determine key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics for measurement and reporting.