Total Reward Compensation Analyst

Compensation Analyst – Total Rewards
HR Specialist III 
Location: Lake County, IL (Hybrid)
Schedule: Tuesday–Thursday Onsite | Monday & Friday Remote
Duration: Initial 12-Month Contract
Pay Rate: $34–$38/hr, based on benefits selection

About the Opportunity:

Orion Group is seeking an experienced Compensation Analyst to support the Total Rewards Excellence team for our global pharmaceutical client.

This opportunity is ideal for an analytical compensation professional with hands-on experience evaluating compensation data, conducting market pricing and benchmarking analyses, and working with HRIS platforms such as Workday.

The role will focus heavily on compensation analysis, market data, Excel reporting, and HR systems, supporting accurate and competitive compensation decisions across the organization.

We are looking for someone who understands compensation data, can confidently navigate HR systems, and is comfortable analyzing large datasets to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities.


Key Responsibilities

Compensation Analysis & Market Data

• Conduct compensation analyses to support new hires, promotions, transfers, and other employee actions.
• Analyze external market compensation data to evaluate salary competitiveness and internal alignment.
• Support market pricing, salary benchmarking, compensation surveys, and job evaluations.
• Review salary ranges, compensation structures, and market data to support compensation recommendations.
• Identify compensation trends, discrepancies, and potential areas requiring further review.
• Support annual compensation planning and other Total Rewards initiatives.

HRIS & Compensation Data Management

• Utilize Workday or comparable HRIS platforms to access, review, maintain, and validate compensation data.
• Run compensation reports and analyze employee and salary information.
• Conduct data audits to ensure accuracy and consistency across HR systems.
• Investigate discrepancies and collaborate with HR partners to resolve data-related issues.
• Maintain accurate compensation records, reports, and supporting documentation.

Excel & Reporting

• Use Microsoft Excel extensively to analyze compensation and market data.
• Work with large datasets using Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, and other analytical functions.
• Prepare compensation reports, data comparisons, and salary analyses.
• Organize and interpret data to provide meaningful insights and support compensation decisions.

Collaboration & Total Rewards Support

• Partner with HR, Talent Acquisition, and Total Rewards teams on compensation-related requests.
• Provide accurate compensation information and analysis to support business decisions.
• Support compensation projects, reporting initiatives, and process improvements.
• Manage multiple requests while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and established timelines.

Required Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in Compensation Analysis, Total Rewards, or a closely related role involving compensation data.
• Hands-on experience with compensation analysis, market pricing, benchmarking, or salary survey data.
• Experience using Workday or another HRIS platform to access, analyze, or manage employee and compensation data.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and advanced formulas.
• Experience analyzing large datasets, identifying discrepancies, and preparing compensation reports.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret compensation data and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with Workday Compensation or similar compensation management systems.
• Experience participating in compensation surveys and conducting market pricing analyses.
• Knowledge of salary structures, pay ranges, and internal equity considerations.
• Experience supporting annual compensation planning cycles.
• Familiarity with compensation tools such as HRSoft or similar platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Analytics, or a related field.

Ideal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate is a hands-on Compensation Analyst who has experience working with market compensation data, analyzing salary information, and supporting compensation decisions.
They are proficient in Excel, comfortable navigating Workday or another HRIS platform, and understand how to use compensation surveys, benchmarking information, and internal data to support accurate compensation analysis.
This position is best suited for someone who enjoys working with numbers, understands compensation processes, and can independently analyze data while collaborating with HR and Total Rewards stakeholders.


People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.