Compensation Compliance Specialist

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Primary Purpose:

Supports the effective administration of compensation and payment practices by evaluating compliance risks, ensuring consistent application of university policies, and helping prevent unsupported payments and unnecessary independent contractor expenditures. Exercises judgment in resolving routine issues, assessing requests that fall outside established guidelines, and recommending appropriate actions or escalation of significant concerns. Provides leadership with analysis and insight into recurring risks, policy gaps, and opportunities to enhance compliance, strengthen internal controls, and improve operational processes.

Job Category: Exempt

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Basis: Annually

Subject to Grant Funding? No

Essential Job Functions:

1. Independently evaluates, approves, rejects, or returns compensation and personnel action requests that do not comply with university policy, regulatory requirements, or compensation guidelines.
2. Interprets compensation policies and regulatory requirements, determines appropriate application to unique circumstances, and provides authoritative guidance to university leadership.
3. Evaluates requests for compensation exceptions and develops recommendations for senior leadership regarding policy exceptions, compensation programs, and compliance risk mitigation.
4. Designs, administers, and oversees compensation compliance auditing programs; identifies systemic risks and recommends corrective actions and policy enhancements.
5. Participates in the development, revision, and implementation of university compensation policies, procedures, and internal controls.
6. Identifies compensation-related compliance risks affecting the institution and independently determines appropriate corrective actions or escalation protocols.
7. Identifies unsupported, duplicate, incomplete, or inconsistent payments.
8. Works with centers to correct issues before payment.
9. Escalates significant exceptions, repeated violations, and disputed interpretations.
10. Confirms that each independent contractor request reflects a legitimate business need.
11. Verifies scope, rationale, approvals, and supporting documentation.
12. Flags potential worker-classification, financial, operational, or policy concerns.
13. Maintains clear records of reviews, exceptions, findings, and outcomes.
14. Tracks unresolved items and corrective actions through completion.
15. Provides leadership with trend reporting, exception data, and areas requiring action.
16. Serves as a professional resource for centers on payment and contractor requirements.
17. Communicates findings and required corrections clearly and consistently.
18. Recommends improvements to procedures, documentation, training, and policy clarity.
19. Completes special projects as assigned.
20. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Job Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge

1. Working knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures, records management practices, and office operations in a high-volume HR or Compensation environment.
2. Working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing, and reporting applications, including intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel such as sorting, filtering, formulas, lookups, pivot tables, and data validation.
3. General knowledge of customer service principles and practices, including effective inquiry handling and service delivery.
4. General knowledge of English grammar, business writing, and professional document standards.

Skills

1. Strong Excel and data management skills, including the ability to organize, reconcile, analyze, and report on compensation-related data accurately.
2. Strong written communication skills, including the ability to draft, edit, and proofread communications for HR partners, managers, and employees.
3. Strong customer service skills with the ability to manage high-volume, time-sensitive, and information-sensitive inquiries with professionalism, tact, and responsiveness.
4. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing requests, auditing records, identifying discrepancies, and maintaining documentation.
5. Sound judgment and problem-solving skills, including the ability to recognize issues requiring escalation.
6. Effective organization, prioritization, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and shifting priorities.
7. Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across Compensation, HR, Payroll, HRIS, Shared Services, Finance, and other stakeholder groups.
8. Analytical and critical thinking skills to interpret information, identify inconsistencies, and support sound decision-making.

Abilities

1. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling compensation, employee, and organizational information.
2. Ability to work accurately and efficiently with competing priorities and frequent interruptions.
3. Ability to learn, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, and guidelines to routine and non-routine questions and transactions.
4. Ability to identify risk, ambiguity, or exceptions and escalate matters appropriately and in a timely manner.
5. Ability to produce clear, concise, and professional written communications and supporting documentation.
6. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships while delivering responsive, service-oriented support to internal customers.

Physical Requirements:

1. Near Vision - Must be able to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
2. Speech Recognition - Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person.
3. Speech Clarity - Must be able to speak clearly so others can understand you.
4. May be required to work nights or weekends.

Required Certifications/Licensures:

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree

Major: Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, or a related field

Required Experience: Two (2) or more years of human resources, administrative, or analytical experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, lookups, and reconciliation of data from multiple sources.

Is this a safety sensitive position? No

Background Screening Required? Yes

Pre-Employment Conditions:

Sensitivity Disclaimer: Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.