Position Title:
- Compensation Manager
Job Description:
- The Compensation Manager is a strategic, forward-thinking leader responsible for designing and administering the City's compensation and job classification programs.
This role oversees pay structures, job classification, market analysis, incentive programs and compensation analytics that inform key workforce decisions. The Compensation Manager ensures compensation programs are competitive, equitable, legally compliant and aligned with organizational goals. As the City's lead compensation expert, this role provides data-driven insights and recommendations to support compensation decisions and labor negotiations, helping shape sustainable and fiscally responsible wage strategies.
- The ideal candidate will:
- + Be a compensation leader who can design innovative programs that balance budget constraints, workforce needs, and organizational priorities.
+ Translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations and communicate effectively with City administration, department leaders, negotiating groups and employees. This will require advanced Excel or statistical analysis skills (e.g. pivot tables, modeling, regression analysis). + Proactively anticipate and address issues such as pay compression, pay equity, recruitment challenges, and retention risks. + Bring experience in the public sector and working closely with bargaining units (strongly preferred). _Early application submittal is encouraged. An initial review of resumes will be conducted on_
- _May 18, 2026._
POSITION SALARY RANGE
- $121,948 to $155,822 (E36) estimated annually based on experience and qualifications. Use our
- total compensation calculator (https://tools.slc.gov/totalcompensation/)
- to see your earning potential in this role!
- _Relocation expense reimbursement may be available for candidates requiring relocation to Utah as part of a conditional offer of employment._
- This position is eligible for full city benefits, including:
- + Health Insurance + Dental, Vision and Life Insurance + Paid vacation and personal leave + Six to twelve weeks of paid parental leave from day one of employment + Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k) + A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) + Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually + Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services
JOB DUTIES
- + Leads the development, implementation, design, and maintenance of the city's official classification and compensation plans.
+ Conducts ongoing audits of job descriptions to ensure accurate classification and alignment with city-wide job structures. + Supervises a team of analysts and specialists, providing daily oversight of their workloads and performance. + Leads annual market salary surveys and equity studies to ensure the city remains competitive in attracting and retaining talent. + Manages, coordinates, and supports the city's Citizens Compensation Advisory Committee (CCAC), including draft and transmittal of the Committee's annual report due March 1 of each calendar year. + Collaborates and provides strategic guidance and recommendations to departments in order to forecast costs for pay plan changes and operate within allocated program budgets. + Serves as the lead subject matter expert to provide recommendations, real-time data and technical advice to the primary labor relations negotiator regarding the feasibility of wage and benefit proposals. + Drafts and reviews proposed contract language related to wage scales, shift differentials, and other pay allowances to ensure technical accuracy and administrative feasibility. + Coordinates with Finance and Budget teams to ensure that all proposed wage settlements align with the city's long-term fiscal plans and legislative funding mandates. + Directs the implementation of newly negotiated wage tables into payroll and HRIS systems, ensuring accurate application of pay grades and effective dates. + Interprets and translates ratified collective bargaining agreements into actionable pay rules within the HRIS system. + Effectively builds and maintains relationships of trust with peers, outside partners, vendors, and third-party compensation providers. + Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- + A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field and five to eight years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience including compensation administration.
Education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. + Ability to perform complex modeling, salary benchmarking, and quantitative research to maintain equitable pay structures. + Knowledge of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), EEOC, and state/local employment laws specific to the public sector. + Skill in administering and interpreting employee compensation plans, union contracts, and city policies from a compensation perspective. + Expertise in managing Human Resource Information Systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, or PeopleSoft) and Excel for data visualization. + Ability to translate complex data into clear reports for city leadership and explain compensation decisions to diverse employee groups.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- + Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA).
+ Direct experience in public sector/government HR is highly preferred. + Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). + SHRM-CP/SCP, SPHR, or
IPMA-SCP
(International Public Management Association for HR) certification.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- + Light physical effort.
Comfortable working positions, handling of light weights, intermittent sitting, standing and walking. May be exposed to discomfort associated with constant monitoring of computer display screens. + Frequent exposure to stress as a result of human behavior and the demands of the position. _T_ _he above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified._ _All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities_ .
Full Time/Part Time:
- Full time
Scheduled Hours:
- 40 Salt Lake City is a place where your skills and dedication directly contribute to the community.
With a team serving over 200,000 residents, we take pride in delivering meaningful work—from maintaining infrastructure to shaping public programs—with integrity and professionalism. We value experience, accountability, and results. Our organization recognizes talent and rewards contribution, offering employees opportunities to grow, lead, and make a lasting difference. If you're driven by public service and want to help shape the future of our city, we'd love to work with you. Salt Lake City offers a competitive and well-rounded benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and professional growth. To learn more, visit our Benefits & Wellness (https://www.slc.gov/hr/benefits-and-wellness/) site.
- Health & Wellness
- + 95% City-paid medical insurance + Dental, vision, life insurance + HSA (with $1,000-$2,000 City contribution) + Wellness clinic for employees & families + Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Financial Perks
- + Tuition reimbursement (up to $4,000/year) + Retirement contributions (pension and/or 401(k)) + Discounted pet insurance, legal services, and more Thinking about applying or weighing another offer? Use our Total Compensation Calculator (https://tools.slc.gov/totalcompensation/) to see the
- true value
- of your job offer—including salary, benefits, retirement, and more.
We know time away from work is essential for rest, personal needs, and family life. Salt Lake City offers generous paid leave to help you recharge and stay balanced. To learn more, visit our Benefits & Wellness (https://www.slc.gov/hr/benefits-and-wellness/paid-leave/) site. + 12 vacation days to start + 12 paid holidays + 1 personal holiday + Up to 80 hours personal leave annually + 6 - 12 weeks of paid parental leave + Bonus leave credit for eligible rehires & public sector transfers Our Recruitment Team is ready to assist you throughout the entire hiring process—from questions about job openings to application support. Reach the Recruitment Team at
- 801-535-6699
- Or email: careers@slc.
gov The City is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Salt Lake City will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact
- Human Resources at 801-535-7900.
- Salt Lake City is proud to be a partner of the Utah Patriot Program, providing employment opportunities for Veterans, Military and spouses.
We are also a proud National Service Partner.
