Compensation and Benefits Managers

What the job really is

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

At a glance

• Sector: Management
• O*NET-SOC code: 11-3111
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
• Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
• Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
• Analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop competitive compensation plan.
• Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
• Manage the design and development of tools to assist employees in benefits selection, and to guide managers through compensation decisions.
• Administer, direct, and review employee benefit programs, including the integration of benefit programs following mergers and acquisitions.
• Mediate between benefits providers and employees, such as by assisting in handling employees' benefits-related questions or taking suggestions.
• Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
• Prepare detailed job descriptions and classification systems and define job levels and families, in partnership with other managers.
• Develop methods to improve employment policies, processes, and practices, and recommend changes to management.
• Formulate policies, procedures and programs for recruitment, testing, placement, classification, orientation, benefits and compensation, and labor and industrial relations.

Tools and technology

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Visio

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
• Human Resources Specialists
• Human Resources Managers
• Labor Relations Specialists
• Financial Managers
• Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
• Accountants and Auditors
• Financial Examiners

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Compensation and Benefits Managers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.