Senior Compensation Advisor
Top Benefits
About the role
Position Information
Position Title
Senior Compensation Advisor
Department/Unit
People and Culture
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posting Number
S150-25
Employee Group
DPMG
Position Type
Term
Duration of Contract (if applicable)
2 years
Employment Type
Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE)
1
Salary
$68,105 - $91,237 per annum
Classification
ADM-06
Provisional Statement
This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.
Job Summary
Dalhousie University’s People and Culture team strives to ensure Dalhousie’s people and culture goals and core values are aligned and fully embedded across the institution so that all members of the university community feel included, motivated, and supported to excel in their careers and in advancing the mission of the university. Reporting to the Vice-President, People and Culture, the Compensation Advisor provides specialized guidance and analysis to support the university’s compensation strategies for unionized and non-unionized employee groups, including faculty and senior leadership.
Key Responsibilities
-
Lead compensation reviews and benchmarking across diverse employee groups, including executive and senior leadership roles, ensuring market competitiveness and internal equity.
-
Conduct in-depth salary analysis and provide guidance on market differentials, unique compensation methods, and job-specific salary calculations.
-
Support strategic workforce planning by developing and maintaining compensation structures, monitoring sector trends, and contributing to pay equity reviews and compliance initiatives.
-
Provide expert guidance on compensation provisions within collective agreements, support salary administration in line with bargaining agreements and policies, and collaborate with labour relations to deliver costing and compensation data for collective bargaining.
-
Facilitate clear communication and education on total compensation and related policies by advising leaders, supporting staff, and engaging with relevant units across the institution.
-
Develop and maintain accurate compensation reports, dashboards, and models to support data-driven decisions, while collaborating on related projects and system improvements.
Note
The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.
Required Qualifications
-
Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field with a minimum of five years’ experience in compensation analysis or total rewards (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
-
Direct experience supporting compensation for management and leadership roles.
-
Strong knowledge of compensation theory, salary benchmarking, and total rewards strategy.
-
Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional projects and initiatives, with a proven track record of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
-
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
Assets
-
Experience interpreting and applying collective agreement provisions related to compensation.
-
Familiarity with Nova Scotia’s post-secondary and public-sector compensation environment.
Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:
-
Self-Awareness & Professionalism
-
Integrity
-
Respect & Inclusion
-
Thinking and Acting Strategically
-
Relationship Building
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.
Application Consideration
Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.
We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Open Date
07/28/2025
Close Date
08/12/2025
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/19397
About Dalhousie University
One of Canada's leading universities, Dalhousie University is widely recognized for outstanding academic quality and teaching, and a broad range of educational and research opportunities.
Located in Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia, Dalhousie attracts students from around the world. Since 1818, we've been inspiring students, faculty, staff, and graduates to make significant contributions to our region, Canada, and the world.
Senior Compensation Advisor
Top Benefits
About the role
Position Information
Position Title
Senior Compensation Advisor
Department/Unit
People and Culture
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posting Number
S150-25
Employee Group
DPMG
Position Type
Term
Duration of Contract (if applicable)
2 years
Employment Type
Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE)
1
Salary
$68,105 - $91,237 per annum
Classification
ADM-06
Provisional Statement
This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.
Job Summary
Dalhousie University’s People and Culture team strives to ensure Dalhousie’s people and culture goals and core values are aligned and fully embedded across the institution so that all members of the university community feel included, motivated, and supported to excel in their careers and in advancing the mission of the university. Reporting to the Vice-President, People and Culture, the Compensation Advisor provides specialized guidance and analysis to support the university’s compensation strategies for unionized and non-unionized employee groups, including faculty and senior leadership.
Key Responsibilities
-
Lead compensation reviews and benchmarking across diverse employee groups, including executive and senior leadership roles, ensuring market competitiveness and internal equity.
-
Conduct in-depth salary analysis and provide guidance on market differentials, unique compensation methods, and job-specific salary calculations.
-
Support strategic workforce planning by developing and maintaining compensation structures, monitoring sector trends, and contributing to pay equity reviews and compliance initiatives.
-
Provide expert guidance on compensation provisions within collective agreements, support salary administration in line with bargaining agreements and policies, and collaborate with labour relations to deliver costing and compensation data for collective bargaining.
-
Facilitate clear communication and education on total compensation and related policies by advising leaders, supporting staff, and engaging with relevant units across the institution.
-
Develop and maintain accurate compensation reports, dashboards, and models to support data-driven decisions, while collaborating on related projects and system improvements.
Note
The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.
Required Qualifications
-
Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field with a minimum of five years’ experience in compensation analysis or total rewards (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
-
Direct experience supporting compensation for management and leadership roles.
-
Strong knowledge of compensation theory, salary benchmarking, and total rewards strategy.
-
Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional projects and initiatives, with a proven track record of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
-
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
Assets
-
Experience interpreting and applying collective agreement provisions related to compensation.
-
Familiarity with Nova Scotia’s post-secondary and public-sector compensation environment.
Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:
-
Self-Awareness & Professionalism
-
Integrity
-
Respect & Inclusion
-
Thinking and Acting Strategically
-
Relationship Building
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.
Application Consideration
Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.
We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Open Date
07/28/2025
Close Date
08/12/2025
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/19397
About Dalhousie University
One of Canada's leading universities, Dalhousie University is widely recognized for outstanding academic quality and teaching, and a broad range of educational and research opportunities.
Located in Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia, Dalhousie attracts students from around the world. Since 1818, we've been inspiring students, faculty, staff, and graduates to make significant contributions to our region, Canada, and the world.