Lead Compensation and Benefits Specialist

Senior Compensation and Benefits Analyst - Job Overview

Company Overview:

LCEC is a trusted provider of efficient and competitively priced electricity, serving over 242,000 customers across a five-county region in Southwest Florida. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 435 skilled professionals, we are among the more than 900 electric distribution cooperatives in the United States. LCEC is consistently recognized as a leader in the industry, receiving accolades for our community involvement and various civic, environmental, and professional achievements.

Role Summary:

The Senior Compensation and Benefits Analyst is tasked with the creation, development, and execution of a comprehensive Compensation and Benefits strategy, which encompasses policies, practices, and guidelines. This role also involves overseeing LCEC's job description repository, ensuring that all job descriptions reflect the most current responsibilities and qualifications. Additionally, the Analyst will ensure compliance with all applicable government regulations concerning compensation and benefits. A key responsibility includes designing and managing a holistic Wellness Program aimed at enhancing the physical, mental, and financial well-being of employees. This includes overseeing the onsite Wellness Center and the services and programs available to employees and their families.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a strategic partner in the design, development, implementation, and management of a Total Rewards program that attracts, engages, and retains talent to fulfill business objectives.
• Conduct in-depth analyses, review utilization and experience data, and identify trends to assess program effectiveness; provide timely and actionable recommendations for improvements.
• Perform advanced administrative, technical, and analytical tasks to support compensation governance regarding salaries, allowances, incentives, and both fixed and variable bonuses, along with the organization’s benefits and welfare plans.
• Utilize professional judgment to ensure compliance with ERISA, FLSA, IRS, and other governmental regulations related to Compensation and Benefits.
• Audit compensation practices to ensure adherence to federal and state wage and hour laws and internal pay policies.
• Conduct comprehensive internal and external job evaluations to apply an appropriate job evaluation system, determining the relative importance of positions and assigning suitable job grades.
• Establish a competitive salary structure and effective salary administration processes that link compensation to performance.
• Manage annual compensation activities, including market pay adjustments, merit increases, and short-term incentive plans, ensuring internal equity.
• Oversee specialized activities related to compensation administration, salary surveys, position audits, and collective bargaining agreements; support the collective bargaining process by updating contract language related to compensation and benefits.
• Manage vendor relationships, including contract reviews, plan design, system coordination, communication, and competitive benchmarking.
• Collaborate with Pension and 401(k) Administrators, Trustees, Insurers, and other entities to ensure cost-effectiveness and smooth program administration.
• Prepare annual budgets for compensation and benefits plans, assess actual personnel costs, and propose necessary budget adjustments.
• Act as an internal consultant for management, HR teams, and employees on compensation and benefits matters.
• Develop and implement the organization’s wellness strategies aimed at improving the overall well-being of employees.
• Oversee the Wellness Center's operations, including services, prescriptions, immunizations, and programs for employees and their families.
• Promote wellness initiatives and educate staff and families about available opportunities.
• Provide timely and accurate information to employees regarding compensation and benefits.
• Facilitate employee onboarding and training related to compensation and benefits programs.
• Manage the open enrollment process for annual benefits.
• Address employee inquiries and concerns regarding compensation and benefits, escalating complex issues to the appropriate vendor.
• Prepare reports and presentations on compensation and benefits; create communication materials and deliver presentations to stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees and Executive Steering Committee.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. (Required)
• Master's Degree in Human Resource Management or a related field. (Preferred)

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in job evaluation and best practices in compensation analysis, including oversight of all related programs and guidelines. (Required)
• A minimum of seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in benefits design, administration, and compliance, with knowledge of self-funded insurance plans. (Required)

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills; ability to interpret statistical and financial data and provide data-driven recommendations. (Required)
• High level of professional discretion and capability to handle confidential information. (Required)
• Experience with Human Capital Management (HCM) Systems. (Required)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team. (Required)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with advanced skills in Excel. (Required)
• Strong vendor management capabilities. (Required)
• Familiarity with wage and hour regulations and compensation principles. (Required)
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, with proven project management skills. (Required)
• Exceptional time management skills; ability to meet deadlines. (Required)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders. (Required)
• Ability to build effective working relationships at all organizational levels. (Required)
• Customer service-oriented with a collaborative approach. (Required)
• Hands-on problem-solving attitude. (Required)
• Results-driven mindset. (Required)
• Strong business acumen. (Required)
• Experience in data analytics and modeling. (Preferred)
• Prior experience in a Union environment. (Preferred)
• Prior strategic-level work experience. (Preferred)

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• Occasional standing and walking.
• Constant sitting.
• Rarely lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, grasping, feeling.
• Constant talking and hearing.
• Frequent repetitive motions and coordination.

Work Environment: Predominantly air-conditioned office environment, with rare exposure to extreme temperatures, humidity, noise, hazards, and vibrations.

Emergency Response Requirements: Participation in emergency response and recovery activities is a condition of employment, as LCEC provides essential services during emergencies. Employees are expected to fulfill their regular job duties or other assigned tasks during such events, with appropriate compensation provided according to company guidelines.

Note: Candidates will undergo a background check and drug screening upon receiving a job offer.