Compensation Specialist

Position Title: Compensation Specialist/ Project Manager

Location: Lexington, MA USA 02421 (Hybrid)

Duration: 3 years Contract on W2 (Possible Extension)

Pay Rate: $50/hr. - $60/hr.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Compensation Manager, the Compensation Specialist will lead and execute critical compensation projects on a contract basis. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with deep expertise in total rewards, job architecture, and pay structure design, who thrives in a fast-paced, project-oriented environment.

Responsibilities:

The Specialist will be responsible for one or more of the following project areas, depending on the organization’s needs:

General Compensation Support

• Develop and implement compensation programs, policies, and procedures that align with compensation philosophy.

• Ensure compliance with federal and state compensation regulations.

Project Work: Job Architecture Design

• Redesign and enhance the job architecture framework, including job families, career levels, title governance, and FLSA classifications, ensuring consistency and scalability.

• Conduct in-depth analysis of salary grade and band structures, benchmarking against market data and ensuring internal equity.

• Model the financial impact of proposed changes and develop transition strategies.

• Create compensation administration guidelines, toolkits, and manager resources.

• Lead communication and change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of compensation initiatives

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in compensation, including hands-on expertise in job analysis, job leveling, salary structure design and market pricing.

• Project coordination experience (managing timelines, cross functional teamwork, executing project deliverables)

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Proven track record of delivering complex compensation projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency with major compensation survey platforms (e.g., Radford/AON, Mercer, Pearl Meyer, TSG).

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling, pivot tables, and statistical analysis.

• Analytical and Communication Skills

• Strong ability to analyze data, develop insights, and present findings and recommendations to HR leadership and executive audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications: CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) designation is strongly preferred.

• Technical Tools: Experience with HRIS and compensation management platforms (e.g., SAP, SuccessFactors, Payscale MarketPay).

• Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with federal and state compensation compliance requirements.

• Industry Experience: Experience working in an FFRDC or government contractor environment is highly desirable.

Additional Details:

This position is HYBRID. The individual will be required to be onsite 2 days a week.