Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Total Rewards Specialist, Compensation in the Total Rewards division of Human Resources.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Director, Total Rewards, the Total Rewards Specialist, Compensation ensures that HRM employees receive fair compensation in accordance with laws and regulations, and that supports the priorities of Regional Council and advances the Human Resources Our People Administrative Priority Outcomes. The Total Rewards Specialist, Compensation acts as a subject matter expert in HRM’s compensation-related policies and programs, and HRM’s job evaluation programs and systems. They make recommendations for new programs/processes and revisions/enhancements to current compensation processes and evaluates compensation programs. Works in partnership with the rest of the Human Resources team to ensure that total compensation, salary administration policies and practices are competitive in the external market to ensure employees are recognized in a meaningful and consistent manner that maintains employee engagement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops compensation strategies and frameworks that support HRM’s goals and objectives and drive total compensation solutions.
• Develops, improves, and directs the annual non-union Individual Salary Administration (ISA) program including communications, ISA and performance matrix, support tools for Human Resources Business Partners (HRBP’s), and briefing notes for senior leadership and the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
• Works with HR Managers and subject matter experts (SME) to drive end-to-end total rewards, compensation and integrated HR solutions that support major business change initiatives.
• Supports the development of compensation skills in the business units through active participation, consultation, and SME in job evaluation, performance development, total rewards, and compensation; develops and provides hands on training in job analysis, compensation structure, evaluation and compensation administration and related issues.
• Collaborates with HRBP’s to manage relationships with business unit leaders, conducts root cause analysis, negotiates, and helps find win/win solutions.
• Conducts complex compensation research using a variety of methods including market studies and reports and keeping current with compensation best practices at a local, regional, and national level.
• Conducts complex compensation reviews and analyzes the impact of proposed new and proposed changes to pay programs (for example, senior leader job evaluation, new and custom pay plans, pay equity, compression, salary administration practices).
• Evaluates opportunities to mitigate risk and build systems controls to ensure compliance and improve processes related to total compensation.
• Acts as resource for management bargaining team or bargaining advisory team as required where compensation issues are impacted.
• Leads the job evaluation program by establishing guidelines for the evaluation of union and non-union positions and participates as senior job evaluator at the Job Evaluation Committee meetings; acts as SME for JE program across all HRM Business Units.
• Provides functional guidance to the compensation team to achieve collective performance objectives and provides coaching and support in team development.
• Responds to performance or service delivery issues as required.
• Creates a healthy workplace culture through establishing open and constructive communication, promoting diversity & inclusion, teamwork, as well as individual growth and development.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education & Experience:

• University Degree in Human Resources or related discipline.
• Compensation designation such as Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) with demonstrated experience in compensation design and administration, and job evaluation including leadership.
• Minimum 7 - 8 years’ experience in compensation management, design, and analysis.
• Experience with job evaluation tools and systems.
• Experience in a related fast paced and demanding environment.
• Experience working in a diverse and decentralized organization, ideally in the public sector is an asset.
• Experience working in a multi unionized environment.

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Current knowledge of HR trends and advanced understanding of compensation philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques.
• Effective at building partnerships, both inside and outside the team, and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Advanced proficiency in using Excel.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including HRIS and Microsoft Suite of programs.
• Understanding of total reward practices, and other applicable municipal, provincial, and federal legislation.
• Ability to communication complex compensation matters to audiences across HRM.
• Research skills and ability to understand and apply research and statistics in report writing and decision-making.
• A strong knowledge of labor laws, compensation, and privacy standards are beneficial.
• Expert knowledge of the various job evaluation systems, including Korn Ferry Hay.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must clearly demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.

COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Communications, Customer Service, Organizing & Planning, Teamwork & Cooperation, Value & Ethics, Organizational Awareness, Analytical Thinking

WORK STATUS: Full Time, Permanent

HOURS OF WORK: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday; 35 hours per week. Flex options to work outside of these hours and hybrid may be available.

SALARY: Non-Union Level 8, $89,570 - $115,920. Salary will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications related to the specified pay band and job. Placement above the midpoint of the pay band is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications, such as those with exceptional experience, specialized skills, or demonstrated achievements relevant to the role. This ensures fair and consistent compensation practices across the organization.

WORK LOCATION: Purdy’s Tower II, 1969 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS.

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 PM on Friday, September 5, 2025

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

(position # 78640443)