Lead Total Rewards Analyst

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. The Lead Total Rewards Analyst is a key member of the HR team and serves as the primary subject‑matter expert in compensation strategy, analysis, and program administration . This role is ideal for a highly analytical compensation professional who excels in market pricing, job evaluation, salary structuring, annual compensation cycles, and compensation governance. While compensation is the core responsibility, this position also offers opportunities to expand into health & welfare benefits , retirement plan administration , and advanced HR analytics . The Lead Total Rewards Analyst will work closely with HR Business Partners, Finance, and business leaders to ensure our Total Rewards programs remain competitive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals. Key Responsibilities Compensation Focus (Primary) Lead the design, evaluation, and administration of base pay, incentive, and other compensation programs. Conduct market pricing analyses, develop salary recommendations, and maintain internal job evaluation methodology. Support the annual merit, bonus, and compensation planning cycles; manage systems, data, analytics, and leader support. Maintain and update salary structures, pay grades, and job architecture. Provide compensation consultation to HRBPs and leaders to ensure internal equity and pay transparency. Support compensation governance, audits, reporting, and compliance. Total Rewards (Secondary & Growth Opportunities) Assist with benefits administration activities, including health & welfare, retirement plans, vendor coordination, and compliance tasks. Support the development of benefits communications and employee education tools. Contribute to Total Rewards projects such as plan reviews, program evaluations, and benchmarking. Data & Analytics Produce insights through compensation and benefits analytics, dashboards, and reporting. Utilize data to support decision‑making, identify trends, and drive Total Rewards strategy. Partner with HRIS and Finance teams to ensure accurate and consistent data management. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Business, HR, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. 5-7+ years of experience in benefits with significant, hands‑on compensation experience. HR Certification Preferred Strong analytical, quantitative, and critical‑thinking skills. High attention to detail with the ability to manage confidential and sensitive information. Effective communicator who can explain complex compensation concepts to non‑HR audiences. Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a small, high‑impact HR team. Interest in expanding subject‑matter expertise in benefits and broader Total Rewards. Essential Utilities, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity / Affi­rmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered‑veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. Essential Utilities is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io). To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to: Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship. Family members cannot work in the same department. #J-18808-Ljbffr Aqua