Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

We are currently looking to hire a Director of Compensation and Benefits role at our Headquarters office in downtown Chicago. This role will lead all aspects of compensation and benefits for MFS including the development and implementation of an agency compensation philosophy and structure. This position requires high level strategic thinking and leadership. It will ensure that our organization remains compliant and competitive in the marketplace, that employees are equitably and fairly compensated within departments, and that all aspects of company benefits programs align with organizational goals and support employees’ overall well-being.

As one of the key HR functional leaders, this role collaborates closely in developing compensation strategies. Responsibilities include managing compensation programs to enhance business and operational performance that attract, retain, and motivate a skilled workforce. Role provides strategic input for a comprehensive compensation program, oversees salary and bonus programs, and lead the development of strategic compensation initiatives aligned with pay equity and pay transparency philosophy strategies, reflecting our corporate goals and values. This role will directly lead and develop a team of C&B professionals.

SALARY: The average starting salary for this position is $120,000 annually. Compensation will depend on skill and experience level.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Leadership

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert in compensation and benefits, providing clear, timely, and strategic communication to executives, managers and employees to ensure understanding, alignment and informed decision making across the agency.
• Provide leadership and coaching to develop team in accordance with our values and culture.
• Research and make recommendations to the Executive Leadership and cost analysis of new comp and benefits offerings which could include pay for performance models, flexible benefit offerings, companywide or program-based bonus offerings, etc.

Compensation

• As the subject matter expert for compensation, maintains processes and procedures to ensure consistency in the application of our compensation philosophy. Is a trusted advisor, continuously working to enhance pay transparency within the organization through knowledge sharing, maintaining manager resources, and fostering partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Develop new compensation policies, guidelines and procedures, monitor effectiveness of existing practices and recommend plan revisions ensuring that they are cost effective and consistent with compensation trends, best practices aligned with the organization's mission, values, and long-term goals.
• Design and implement a compensation framework that supports the recruitment of quality candidates and the retainment of current MFS staff and ensures the framework remains relevant overtime.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of a job evaluation system to ensure that roles are appropriately classified and compensated based on factors such as responsibilities, skills, and market rates.
• Oversee the annual salary review process, including working with Executive Leadership to set annual salary increase budgets.
• Design, maintain and administer the company job architecture. Works closely with technology teams to ensure data integrity and optimal delivery of compensation administration. Manages and maintains an agency- wide job description database to store all updated job descriptions on-line.
• Provide guidance and support to managers and HR staff on compensation-related matters, including job leveling (or pay equity), new hire offers, promotions, and market salary adjustments.
• Ensure that all program, state and federally mandated compensation adjustments are identified and implemented in a timely manner and in accordance with requirements.

Benefits

• Develop and continuously review and improve upon the benefit offerings at MFS to ensure they are aligned with the strategy and support the recruitment of quality candidates, retainment of current MFS staff.
• Oversee all aspects of employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement & pension plans (e.g., 401(k)), life insurance, disability coverage, and other voluntary benefits.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits vendors, brokers, and consultants including negotiating contracts, monitoring service levels, and ensuring compliance with contractual agreements.
• Oversee the annual open enrollment process, including communication campaigns, enrollment meetings, and coordination with benefits providers.

Other

• Conduct regular benchmarking and market research to evaluate the competitiveness of the compensation and benefits packages offered and use this data to make informed recommendations about adjustments and enhancements.
• Research and make recommendations for Executive Leadership and cost analysis of new comp and benefits offerings which could include pay for performance models, flexible benefit offerings, companywide or program-based bonus offerings, etc.
• Ensure that the organization remains in compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations governing compensation and benefits.
• Work closely with the leadership team and HR to ensure that changes to compensation and benefits programs are communicated effectively to employees.
• In collaboration with the Director of HR System and Services, ensure greatest value of HR system modules related to compensation and benefits are implemented and maintained.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, business management, finance or related or equivalent experience required.

• 7+ years of experience in compensation and benefits management required.

• 3+ years of experience in direct leadership required.

• Master’s degree in human resources management, business management, finance or related field preferred.
• Compensation and Benefits experience within a nonprofit or social services environment preferred.
• Compensation and Benefits Certifications such as CEBS and/or CPPCEBS Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) and/or PHR /SHRM-CP Certification preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Intermediate level of excel skill.
• Strong understanding of compensation and benefits best practices, trends, and regulations.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven recommendations.
• Experience with HRIS systems and design to ensure compensation & benefits modules are developed and interact with other modules, reflecting the business needs and utilizing system to the greatest value.
• Strong financial skills and high level of business acumen required.
• Proven leader that can effectively lead a team through change.
• Ability to create high level presentations and present data to varying levels in the organization including Executive Leadership.
• Able to convince and persuade with the use of data and facts.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!

Some highlights include:

• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!

MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.