Senior Compensation & Benefits Specialist

About the job

As a Senior Compensation & Benefits Specialist, you will play a key role in shaping and executing our global compensation strategy. You will design, manage and continuously improve compensation and incentive programs that attract, retain and motivate employees, while ensuring internal equity, external competitiveness and regulatory compliance.
You will act as a trusted partner to HR and business leaders, providing data-driven insights and professional guidance on salary, incentives and job architecture across all locations in Europe and Asia. 

Responsibilities

• Compensation strategy & benchmarking
• Provide professional consultation and guidance to business leaders and HR on salary benchmarks, extraordinary bonuses, promotions, job changes, salary adjustments, and offers for new hires
• Conduct regular internal and external benchmarking of compensation and benefits
• Provide compensation data and documentation for audits and other compliance reviews

Annual merit increase process

Own and manage the global annual merit increase process end-to-end, including process design, governance, stakeholder alignment and execution.

Variable pay & incentive programs

• Lead and manage the Short-Term Incentive Plan (STI) globally
• Manage the Sales Incentive Plan (SIP)
• Contribute to the maintenance of the Long-Term Incentive program in collaboration with global Employee Relations, Finance and Legal
• Support the Organizational Review (OR) process with compensation and bonus modelling

C&B Governance & Job Level Framework

• Lead and maintain the global job architecture, including job grading, titling and job evaluation processes
• Own and continuously develop the global Job Level Framework
• Maintain and update the Compensation & Benefits policy
• Ensure consistent application of grading and pay structures across the organization

Pay transparency & pay equity

• Coordinate the global implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive
• Lead communication, training and change management related to pay transparency
• Partner with supporting vendors on pay equity and pay gap analyses
• Maintain grading frameworks and salary structures that support fairness, equity and transparency

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in Compensation & Benefits, preferably in a global or multi-country environment
• Strong understanding of compensation legislation and regulations, including the EU Pay Transparency Directive
• Proven experience in compensation design, job architecture, salary surveys and benchmarking
• Knowledge of at least one formal job grading methodology (e.g. Mercer, Hay, EY, Korn Ferry)
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Advanced Excel skills
• Ability to manage complex processes and tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• High accountability and ownership, combined with an agile and resilient way of working
• Strong business partnering mindset and intercultural competence
• Fluent in English, written and spoken
• Occasional travel to other locations required

• Competitive compensation and benefit package
• "Nordic-style" culture – dynamic teamwork, good working atmosphere, flexibility, maintaining work-life balance
• Opportunity to learn and develop
• Good team spirit and friendly colleagues
• Stable international company background
• Multinational working environment
• Home office opportunity

Xellia Pharmaceuticals is the global leader in fermentation-based, non-beta-lactam anti-infectives, supplying Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Finished Dosage Forms (FDFs) to over 500 pharmaceutical companies across 80 countries.

Recognized by the World Health Organization and the European Union for our critical medicines, we play a vital role in combating severe infections and antimicrobial resistance. Headquartered in Denmark, we operate manufacturing sites in Copenhagen, Denmark; Budapest, Hungary; and Taizhou, China, with R&D and commercial operations in seven additional locations globally. As the only European manufacturer of several key anti-infectives and with a heritage spanning over 120 years, we are driven by purpose and progress.

With more than 1100 employees, our impact starts from within. We offer a workplace where ideas, curiosity, and initiative thrive, and where your role evolves with your ambition. Instead of rigid structures, we provide real responsibility, freedom to explore, and support to grow. Together, we shape not only the future of our company and the development of our people, but also the health of communities worldwide.