Senior Total Rewards Specialist
Share
Job Location:
Hourly Salary:
Posted on:
3 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Our people make SAIT shine. The Human Resources department ensures employees feel valued supported and empowered to pursue bold ambitions and fulfilling careers. Be part of a team dedicated to helping every employee thrive and make the most of their SAIT journey.
The Opportunity
The Senior Total Rewards Specialist provides specialized expertise and advisory support in the design governance and continuous improvement of SAITs Benefits Pension Recognition and Ability Management programs. As a key member of the Total Rewards team this role ensures that these programs are strategically integrated administered effectively remain compliant and are aligned with SAITs broader Total Rewards philosophy and employee experience objectives.
Operating with a high degree of independence the Senior Specialist conducts complex analytical work oversees vendor partnerships and delivers data-driven insights that inform policy governance and financial decisions. This role applies deep technical knowledge of pension and benefits legislation disability and leave management practices and recognition frameworks to enhance program efficiency and employee engagement.
The Senior TR Specialist collaborates closely with HR leadership Finance and external vendors to strengthen governance manage risk and ensure SAITs programs remain competitive fiscally sound and responsive to workforce needs. Through continuous improvement education and effective communication the role supports the Manager total Rewards in advancing SAITs Total Rewards strategy advancing institutional wellbeing and retention outcomes.
The Senior Specialist also plays a key role in knowledge transfer across the team and employees building capability in Total Rewards practices and governance. This includes preparing and presenting Board and Committee materials that translate complex data and strategic insights into clear actionable recommendations supporting institutional decision-making.
Role Responsibilities
- Strategic Oversight & Governance
- Guide the strategic design costing and enhancement of benefits pension recognition and ability management programs to ensure competitiveness and compliance.
- Partner with HR Finance and other business units to align advisory transactional and strategic functions across Total Rewards.
- Prepare governance materials and Board/Committee reports translating complex data and insights into actionable recommendations for executive decision-making.
- Monitor legislative regulatory and market changes to ensure programs remain compliant and responsive to evolving needs.
- Provide governance oversight policy interpretation and risk management across all Total Rewards programs.
- Lead special projects and analysis related to program strategy employee engagement and sustainability.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer across HR and business units to embed consistent practices standards and institutional understanding of Total Rewards.
- Program Management
- Manage and oversee SAITs pension programs (defined benefit defined contribution savings and supplemental plans) and benefits programs (health dental disability and life) ensuring legislative compliance and operational excellence.
- Oversee ability management programs including disability and leave administration ensuring alignment with SAIT policies and employee wellbeing objectives.
- Partner with Finance and vendors to ensure sound fiscal governance accurate forecasting and accountability for budget and cost management.
- Identify and implement process improvements that enhance data accuracy efficiency and employee experience.
- Conduct audits and data validation to ensure compliance and integrity across all Total Rewards systems.
- Prepare analytical reports and presentations summarizing utilization cost trends and program performance for HR leadership and governance bodies.
- Vendor Management
- Manage vendor relationships and support contract negotiations to ensure optimal value service quality and compliance with SAIT standards.
- Oversee performance evaluations and participate in consultant review sessions to ensure service delivery aligns with institutional objectives.
- Explore opportunities for innovation and digital solutions that enhance program delivery and employee experience.
- Education & Communications
- Design and deliver communication and education strategies that clearly explain Total Rewards programs to employees and leaders.
- Coordinate a comprehensive communication calendar for annual initiatives such as benefit renewals pension education and recognition campaigns.
- Partner with SAIT Communications to ensure consistent branded messaging across platforms and employee touchpoints.
- Conduct internal training and knowledge-sharing sessions to build understanding of pension benefits and ability management frameworks across the organization.
- Data Analysis & Trends
- Build and maintain dashboards and reports to track utilization costs and engagement across Total Rewards programs.
- Conduct benchmarking and trend analysis to ensure programs remain competitive within the post-secondary and public-sector landscape.
- Use data visualization and storytelling to present findings that inform strategic and governance-level decisions.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
- Leverage HRIS and vendor systems to strengthen data integrity reporting accuracy and decision-making capabilities.
Qualifications & Experience
- Education
- Bachelors degree in human resources Business Actuarial Science or related discipline required
- Advanced knowledge of benefits pension and wellbeing program design including related legislation regulatory compliance and financial governance.
- Experience
- 5-7 yearsprogressive experience in benefits pension and ability management or total rewards administration governance and strategy
- 5-7 years/ demonstrating expertise in vendor management plan governance and implementation of complex program or policy changes
- 5-7 years / experience in preparing materials and recommendations for executive or board-level review
- 5-7 years in coordinating cross-functional initiatives
- Designations & Certifications
- Completion of CPHR CCP or CEBS designation
Technical Capabilities
- Advanced analytical financial modeling and reporting skills; strong understanding of benefits and pension legislation risk management and HRIS systems.
- Experience managing vendor relationships and optimizing program efficiency.
- Excellent analytical problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to interpret and apply legislation collective agreements policies and other compliance requirements
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities projects and workload independently
- Continuous improvement mindset committed to staying abreast of related trends research and best practice
- SAIT Core Capabilities
- Creativity the willingness to experiment improvise innovate and imagine.
- Critical Thinking analyzing evaluating synthesizing and reconstructing information to make decisions
- Citizenship facilitating the connection between people society and the planet for the sustainability of cultural and environmental systems
- Curiosity seeking out current information and experiences and strives for understanding.
- Connection building effective relationships collaborating and communicating with others across differences.
Job classification: P5954 - Sr Pension & Ben Specialist
Salary range: $90000.00- $110000.00
Hours Per Week: 37.5
Posting closing date: January 7th 2026
About SAIT
At SAIT were building bold futures. Were a community of tenacious problem-solvers inventive thinkers and passionate collaborators who believe in doing work that matters.
Named one of Albertas Top Employers were driven by a desire to create an impact in our community. If youre looking for a place where purpose meets possibility youve found it here.
Were committed to community and belonging
Community and belonging is essential to achieving SAITs vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women Indigenous people racialized people people with disabilities people from gender and sexually diverse communities and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about Community and Belonging at SAIT.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications analyzing resumes or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Key Skills
- Computer Hardware
- Mac Os
- Manufacturing & Controls
- Root cause Analysis
- Windows
- Customer Support
- Remote Access Software
- Operating Systems
- Encryption
- Remedy
- Chemistry
- Cerner
About Company
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) offers hands-on degree, diploma, certificate, continuing education and corporate training programs to develop the skills and knowledge employers demand.
