Director of Compensation, UC Human Resources

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,000 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 350,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called “the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $88.8 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu.

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.

Job Overview

The University of Cincinnati is currently accepting applications for a Director of Compensation. Reporting to the CHRO, we are seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Compensation to lead the design, implementation, and administration of UC’s compensation programs. This role will be responsible for ensuring our pay practices are competitive and aligned with business objectives, while also fostering an engaging employee experience. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in compensation strategy, strong analytical skills, and the ability to partner effectively with stakeholders to attract, retain, and reward top talent.

Essential Functions

• Develop and direct strategic planning in the design and implementation of compensation programs and systems for the University of Cincinnati (e.g. classification structures, job descriptions, job evaluation process, market pricing software, salary structures, local/state/national survey participation, incentive/bonus programs, compensation processes, etc.).
• Provide leadership, strategic direction and business consultation to Senior Leadership and all university business units in relation to overall talent management including, but not limited to the ability to attract, motivate, and retain talent, position management, workforce analysis, labor costs and budget, reorganizations and work re-design.
• Develop, implement, interpret and ensure compliance with university rules policies and procedures, and federal and state regulations including, but not limited to, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Pay Act, Equal Opportunity Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Collaborate and partner with Labor Relations on issues regarding compensation and wages for both represented and unrepresented employees.
• May provide direct and/or indirect supervision to exempt and non-exempt staff (i.e., hiring/firing, performance evaluations, disciplinary action, approve time off, etc.).
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Required Experience

Eight (8) years of experience in Human Resources, Compensation.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Experience leading job architecture and compensation structure design projects
• Experience providing consultative and advisory services to partners outside of HR on HR matters with the goal of problem solving and creating positive solutions in a customer focused environment
• Knowledge of all federal, state and local regulations and compliance requirements related to compensation programs and practices
• Demonstrated experience in evaluating market and economic trends to recommend compensation ranges, adjustments to salary ranges, and geographic differentials
• Must have an understanding FLSA standards, including overtime exemption requirements and duties test
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, such as creating pivot tables, charts, data organization and analysis
• Excellent communication skills; both written and verbal

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. ( UC Benefits Link ) Highlights include:

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:

Vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)

6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
• Professional development & mentorship opportunities

To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our careers page at

UC is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. A list of acceptable documents can be seen here:

Important : To apply you must create a profile and submit a complete job application through the UC applicant portal. We are unable to consider “easy apply” applications submitted via other websites. For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.

REQ: 99788

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