Compensation and Perks Specialist

Location: Toronto-661 University

Department: HR Operational Services

This posting is to fill a current vacancy.

The Compensation and Benefits Specialist provides expert analysis, advice, and operational support for PHO's compensation and benefits programs. The role is responsible for compensation administration, salary structure management, job evaluation, pay equity, benefits program oversight, market research, cost analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement. Leveraging organizational data, market intelligence, and industry best practices, the Specialist develops recommendations, business cases, and strategic advice to support compensation programs and organizational decision-making. The role serves as a key resource to leaders, managers, employees, and HR partners, and helps ensure compensation and benefits programs are competitive, sustainable, and aligned with legislative requirements, collective agreements, policies, and established practices.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the annual compensation cycle, including merit increases, validation or approved of wage adjustments, and related implementation activities.
- Administer salary structures and compensation programs in accordance with legislation, collective agreements, policies and approved practices.
- Establishes and leverages relationships with external compensation partners, industry peers, and qualified networks to obtain market insights, identify emerging trends, and support evidence-based compensation program design and decision-making.
- Lead job evaluation for new and revised positions using the applicable methodology; document recommendations and support internal consistency and a defensible pay structure.
- Maintain and support PHO's pay equity program and related compliance requirements.




- Provide data-driven advice on compensation matters and support the analysis and resolution of complex issues, including matters that may contribute to grievances.
- Administer and support benefit program activities, including annual enrolment, plan changes, monthly remittances, escalated eligibility or coverage issues and employee appeals within the role's scope.
- Monitor benefit plan performance, cost, utilization, service quality and emerging market practices; identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Monitor vendor performance against established service expectations and metrics and work with vendors and internal partners to resolve issues.
- Support vendor reviews, procurement activities and implementation of approved benefit program changes.
- Respond to or coordinate pension-related inquiries with the appropriate plan administrator and direct employees to the correct source for pension transactions, estimates or retirement advice.
- Assess, interpret and provide guidance on compensation and benefits provisions in legislation, collective agreements, policies, procedures and plan documents.
- Partner with HR Business Partners, HR leadership, managers and employees to provide clear, consistent and practical advice within the position's area of responsibility.
- Assess the impact of new legislation, collective agreements and approved program changes; develop and coordinate implementation plans to meet organizational obligations.




- Recommend and implement improvements to compensation and benefits policies, programs, processes, templates and guidance tools to improve service and reduce organizational risk.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and industry practices.
- Develop and prepare compensation and benefits reports, corporate statistics, costing and detailed analysis and scenario planning to support decision-making.
- Use the HRIS and other tools to monitor data, validate approved position and employee information, investigate anomalies and support accurate reporting.
- Partner with the HR Systems Advisor on system testing, implementation, maintenance, reporting and data integrity relating to compensation and benefits.
- Liaise with Payroll on compensation and perks matters to support accurate and timely pay and deductions.
- Identify opportunities to improve or automate work through data, technology and streamlined processes.
- Coordinate or lead special assigned HR projects and initiatives within the role's scope, ensuring deliverables and timelines are met.
- Develop clear communications, briefing notes, reports, tools and guidance materials for compensation and benefits programs and changes.
- Deliver information sessions and explain complex requirements in language appropriate for employees, managers, senior leaders and HR colleagues.
- Maintain effective working relationships with internal partners, benefit carriers, consultants, pension plan administrators, vendors and industry contacts.
- Escalate material risks, exceptions and complex issues to the Manager, People Experience or other decision-makers, with analysis and recommended options.

Knowledge and Skills

Working knowledge of legisl

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📌 Compensation and Benefits Specialist (Toronto)
🏢 Publichealthontario
📍 Toronto