**Description** AURA's mission is to provide innovative, open resources to enable discovery and excellence in research, to unify the astrophysics communities, and to promote public understand of our universe and the benefits of science exploration. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities. **General Description of Position:** The Senior Compensation Analyst, reporting to the Manager of Compensation, will be instrumental in developing and implementing compensation frameworks and initiatives that reward, motivate and retain AURA employees. This includes annual compensation reviews, pay adjustments, and market analyses to ensure AURA’s offerings are competitive, equitable and fair across our multi-state and global organization. **Essential Functions:** + Collaborate with Hiring Managers, HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition and other relevant partners to conduct thorough compensation assessments for job offers that ensure appropriate internal equity, fairness and market attractiveness. + Perform compensation data analysis including: researching, collecting, organizing, modeling, analyzing, validating, interpreting, and preparing analysis and recommendations with high attention to detail. + Understand business priorities and develop compensation solutions aligned with those needs. + Participate in national and global salary surveys, leveraging insights to maintain our competitive edge. Recommend and communicate insights and trends that may be implemented in accordance with federal contract structures and regulations. + Uphold the structural integrity of job architecture, collaborating on job descriptions, evaluations, and classifications. + Assist with the annual merit and equity cycle for all centers, partnering with internal clients on process, system setup, communications, implementation, equity analysis, and close out reporting. + Prepare compensation models using Excel or other compensation tools to analyze data and develop reports for presentation to internal clients. + Develop presentation and training material for compensation initiatives, using presentation, graphics and other visual tools to effectively communicate and tell the story of the data. + Educate and engage key stakeholders, including the HR team, AURA staff, management and leadership. + Participate, and occasionally lead, internal compensation projects from start to finish, providing thorough analysis and delivering clear presentations while maintaining open communication with all stakeholders. + Recommend updates to compensation policies and practices, contributing to the continuous improvement of compensation practices. + Conduct ad hoc analyses to guide the development of innovative compensation programs and initiatives. **Other Functions:** + Other duties as assigned **Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:** + Bachelor’s degree in human resources, finance/accounting, business administration or a related field. + 5+ years in the compensation field demonstrating a solid understanding of innovative, strategic compensation principles, program design and processes in a multi-state and global organization. + Familiar with US federal, state, and local labor laws and global business practices. + Strong organizational and project management skills. + Proficient in Excel, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), dbases, and data analysis. + Excellent communication, detail-oriented, critical and strategic thinking skills and must be a collaborative team player. + Independent, proactive, and ethical behavior are required; must handle confidential and private information with the highest discretion + Capable of prioritizing multiple competing assignments and be well organized. + Must be client oriented and demonstrated ability to align solutions and services with business priorities. **Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:** + UKG and Power BI, PayScale, Comp Analyst or other relevant compensation system + Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or classes towards certification + Human Resources Certification is desired but not required + Understanding of relevant accounting, finance and statistics principles + Experience in government-contracted and/or academic organizations, desired but not required + Experience with Chilean or other international laws and HR practices, desired but not required **Physical Demands** The physical requirements described here represent those necessary to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. + Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods. + Occasionally required to move about the workspace to access tools, files, or equipment. + Regularly engages in tasks that involve handling, positioning, or moving objects weighing up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 25 pounds. + Requires the ability to focus on small details and accurately perform tasks involving fine motor skills. + Sufficient coordination and range of motion to operate tools, equipment, or systems relevant to the role. + Some travel may be necessary, both within and outside the contiguous United States. **Disclaimer:** The statements above describe the general nature and level of work required for this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. This organization promotes an Equal Employment Opportunity workplace and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. **Location:** Flexible. Preferably hybrid at an AURA office in Tucson, AZ; Maui or Hilo, Hawaii; or Boulder, CO. Remote options may be considered for candidates in states where AURA is registered as an employer. Salary Range: $90,000-100,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, experience, and job location. AURA offers an outstanding benefits package designed to support both your professional and personal well-being. This includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience, a 10% retirement contribution from day one, generous paid leave, retiree medical benefits, and a mission-driven work environment. Additional details about AURA's benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/benefits-by-location/ . The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by **January 17, 2025.** + Submit a cover letter or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname. + Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to employment@aura-astronomy.org. Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 49 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation (https://www.nsf.gov/) and NASA (https://www.nasa.gov/) . AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity (https://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity/) throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities. **As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.** Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)