Director, Classification & Compensation

Department: Human Resources

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

Human Resources supports the University mission through the development and implementation of policies, programs, and practices that attract, compensate, retain and reward faculty and staff.

About the Position:

Reporting to Assistant Vice President, Total Rewards, the Director of Classification and Compensation will lead the classification and compensation team the strategic planning, design, implementation, and administration of the university's classification and compensation programs while building and fostering cross-functional and interdepartmental alliances. This role ensures that compensation and classification structures are competitive, equitable, and aligned with the university's goals and objectives. The Director will collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute strategies that attract, retain, and motivate a high-performing workforce. Further more, the Director of Classification and Compensation will support and advance HR’s role as a strategic business partner and align the needs and priorities of the university with its talent to drive the university’s objectives.

In addition to a first-class culture at Virginia’s largest public university, this position offers:

• Potential for flexible and hybrid telework scheduling
• A competitive salary
• Outstanding benefits, including:
  • Health and life insurance
  • Multiple industry-leading retirement plans, including the state VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan
  • Accrued paid days off per year
  • Paid holidays and winter break
  • Paid sick leave
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Tuition reimbursement at George Mason University
  • Employee assistance programs

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Develops and implements classification and compensation strategies that support the university’s business objectives and talent management goals; and
• Conducts market analyses to ensure the university’s compensation programs are competitive within the industry and region.

Program Design and Administration

• Designs and manages job classification systems and compensation structures, including salary ranges, incentive programs, and bonus plans; 
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local compensation laws and regulations; and
• Oversees job evaluation processes to maintain internal equity. 

Collaboration and Consultation

• Works closely with HR business partners, department heads, and senior leadership to understand compensation needs and provide strategic guidance;
• Serves as a consultant to managers on compensation issues, providing expertise on pay decisions, policy interpretations, and job evaluations; and
• Conducts organizational assessments at the request of department heads and provide recommendations to achieve unit goals, including reorganizations and identifying required capability and capacity needs on a short and long-term basis.

Analysis and Reporting

• Prepares reports and presentations for senior management on compensation-related topics;
• Analyzes trends and best practices in compensation and classification; 
• Compiles complex data and metrics to provide leaders/managers with easy-to-use reports and tools to determine the impact of their compensation decisions and priorities for future workforce investments;
• Provides functional expertise in the implementation of Banner upgrades and any other software that impact positions or compensation; and
• Collaborates with the Administrative Data Mart Stakeholder group, Budget Office and HRTS team to improve reporting accuracy and capabilities.

Training and Development

• Develops and delivers training programs for managers and employees on compensation practices, policies, and procedures; and
• Stays current with industry trends and best practices, and provide ongoing education to HR staff and leadership. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Progressive experience in compensation and classification, with experience in a leadership role;
• Analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to lead and influence at all levels of the organization;
• Proficiency in compensation analysis and HRIS systems;
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local compensation laws and regulations;
• Advanced skills in Excel, Access, Word, Position Management software, HRIS software (preferably Banner) and reporting tools;
• Detail oriented, well organized with strong time and project management skills; and
• Knowledge of the legal environment surrounding compensation including FLSA, leave policies, equal pay, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field; 
• Experience managing classification & compensation for a complex, multi-faceted organization;
• Experience in higher education; and
• Advanced professional certification preferred (CCP, CBP, CEP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or PHR).

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Director, Classification & Compensation at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent and a Resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: December 16, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  January 24, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes