Total Rewards Manager

Position Overview
Position Title:

Total Rewards Manager

Compensation Range:

69,581.00 - 77,250.00 USD per year

Employment Classification:

Professional Administrative

Department:

Human Resources Office

Target Hire Date:

8/17/2026

Position Summary
This position serves as the University’s lead operational resource for Total Rewards programs, including compensation administration, benefits program oversight, workforce analytics, and position management. The position partners with the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources to support competitive, compliant, and employee-centered Total Rewards practices.

The position provides oversight, guidance, and issue resolution support for benefits programs administered by benefits staff supporting multiple employee populations, including employees covered under State of Colorado benefit programs and employees covered through the Colorado Higher Education Insurance Benefits Alliance (CHEIBA). While benefit plans and program offerings are externally established, this position ensures effective administration, interpretation, communication, compliance, and operational support related to those programs.

This position supervises 2.0 FTE Benefits Administration staff and provides technical guidance, consultation, issue resolution support, process oversight, and staff development across compensation and benefits functions.

This position reviews, analyzes, and evaluates HR programs and processes; identifies operational needs; develops recommendations; and supports policy and procedural updates. The position works collaboratively with campus stakeholders, Payroll, external partners, and subject matter experts.

Works with limited supervision, considerable latitude, and regularly exercises independent judgment.

Job Duties
(35%) Compensation Administration (Essential)

Lead compensation studies, market benchmarking, salary structure maintenance, internal equity reviews, and pay program analysis to support competitive and compliant compensation practices

Execute job evaluation processes by reviewing position descriptions, analyzing job content, and conducting market pricing analysis.

Participate in compensation benchmarking and survey submissions; review results to identify market trends and support pay recommendations.

Support annual compensation processes, including salary structure updates, distribution modeling, and parity analysis.

Analyze compensation requests related to hiring, promotions, reclassifications, and internal movement.

Support internal equity and external competitiveness analysis through compensation data collection and reporting.

Prepare compensation-related reports and presentations as needed.

Ensure compensation practices comply with applicable federal and state requirements including FLSA, Equal Pay for Equal Work, and pay transparency laws.

(25%) Benefits Administration Oversight and Staff Support (Essential)

Provide oversight and support for administration of employee benefits programs for State of Colorado and CHEIBA-covered employee groups.

Supervise and support Benefits Administration staff (2.0 FTE) responsible for day-to-day benefits administration and employee service.

Serve as a resource for complex benefits administration questions and issue resolution.

Ensure accurate administration of enrollment, qualifying life events, open enrollment, leave-related benefit impacts, and employee transitions.

Partner with external administrators and internal stakeholders to implement and communicate benefit program updates and operational changes.

Develop and maintain procedures, documentation, and training resources to support consistent administration practices.

Monitor benefits-related processes and recommend improvements to service delivery and efficiency.

Ensure compliance with applicable benefits regulations and institutional requirements.

(15%) HR Metrics and Data Analysis (Essential)

Collect and analyze workforce data in response to internal and external stakeholder requests.

Conduct ad hoc analyses to investigate operational issues and support decision making.

Review and evaluate HR processes using operational metrics and reports.

Create repeatable and actionable reporting that identifies trends and opportunities for improvement.

(10%) Position Management and Organizational Analysis (Essential)

Support and maintain processes related to position creation, organizational structure evaluation, and organizational change.

Review and analyze organizational requests and provide recommendations aligned with established procedures.

(10%) HR Operations Support and Process Improvement (Essential)

Support department objectives through staff supervision, planning, and evaluation of assigned work.

Maintain staff through recruiting, onboarding, training, and development activities.

Partner with Payroll to ensure compensation and benefits transactions are processed accurately and timely.

Develop procedures and maintain records in accordance with regulations and institutional standards.

Recommend and implement process improvements to improve efficiency and service delivery.

(5%) Project Coordination (Essential)

Coordinate assigned HR projects and monitor progress toward completion.

Support implementation of process improvements and operational changes.

Prepare status updates and documentation as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

Bachelor’s degree in the field of HR, Business Administration, Economics, Statistics or related field.

Experience

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible related experience.

Abilities

Analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action

Identify problems and recommend sound solutions

Communicate effectively in English both written and verbal with a wide range of constituents

Follow and give oral and written directions

Perform mathematical calculations with accuracy

Interpret, apply and initiate University and HR policies and procedures

Maintain a cooperative working relationship with others

Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for a diverse population

Organize information accurately & quickly

Able to work with multiple interruptions

Great analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

Proven management and organizational skills

Ability to impact operations and effect change without being confrontational

Detail oriented, analytical and inquisitive

Extremely organized with strong time-management skills

Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.

Proven ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and adapt quickly to changing demands.

Ability to evaluate and edit the content, structure, and format of a range of written material.

Ability to plan, develop, and coordinate multiple projects.

Benefits
Benefits include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, and several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50% of in-state tuition charges.

EEO Statement
The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNC community. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’s compliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations
The University of Northern Colorado is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 970-351-2718 or human.resources@unco.edu.

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one month of hire.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.

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