Analyst, Total Rewards - HR Data

CityIrvineStateCaliforniaJob LocationIrvine Regional Office (Derian)Position TypeRegular

The Analyst, Total Rewards – HR Data is a critical role to support the strategy, accuracy, and operational excellence of Essex’s Total Rewards programs, including compensation, benefits, and workforce financial planning, analysis and budgeting.  This position serves as a steward of HR data integrity, delivering analysis, system administration, compliance oversight, and reporting that directly influence business planning and associate experience. The role blends technical expertise with analytical insight to ensure data-driven decision-making across the organization.  This role will provide analytical, financial, and operational support to the Total Rewards team on ad hoc analysis, data modeling and operational support with a strong emphasis on budgeting, workforce cost analysis, project-based reporting, and assisting with cross-functional initiatives that impact workforce planning and Total Rewards financials.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Support the Total Rewards team in maintaining the accuracy of HR employment and personal data related to Total Rewards functions.

• Maintain and update Workday to reflect all associate data during the employment life cycle: Job, Compensation, Benefits, Personal, etc.

• Conduct extensive audits and data validations across payroll, compensation, benefits, and workforce data to ensure accuracy, compliance with internal controls, and integrity of financial and HR reporting.

• Support with financial modeling, workforce cost analysis, forecasting, and ad hoc data requests.

• Support the annual compensation review cycle through data preparation, analysis, system configuration, and process execution.

• Prepare and manage data submissions for external compensation surveys to ensure competitive market benchmarking.

• Maintain accurate headcount and compensation data to support salary planning, workforce budgeting, and financial modeling.

• Lead recurring audit and compliance processes across payroll, compensation, and benefits — including payroll audits, overtime audits, 401(k) funding and non-discrimination testing, and invoice tracking — ensuring strong internal controls and data accuracy.

• Support regulatory and compliance reporting such as CEO Pay Ratio calculations, workers’ compensation reconciliations, and other required reporting, ensuring alignment with payroll, tax, and company policies.

• Maintain and update compensation-related configurations in Workday, including job profiles, bonus plans, position attributes, one-time payments, and allocations, in partnership with HRIS.

• Contribute to cross-functional Total Rewards initiatives, providing analytical support and operational execution.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support team and business objectives.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field preferred with a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in finance.

• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, Advanced Excel skills

• Experience with Workday, Adaptive, and/or Yardi is a plus.

• Working knowledge of HR best practices, compliance requirements, and compensation principles.

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into meaningful insights.

WHAT THE JOB REQUIRES:

• Work is primarily conducted in an office setting. Requires sitting at a desk or workstation for extended periods. Involves the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers.

• Requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods. Minimal physical effort in the day-to-day tasks.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and analytical skills. Ability to provide efficient, timely, reliable and courteous support to internal stakeholders and team members.

• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret documents. Ability to solve problems involving several options in situations. Requires intermediate analytical, quantitative skills, and a keen attention to detail.

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All full-time regular associates are offered competitive salaries, experience career growth, and are eligible for benefit packages that include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, 401k employer match, excellence rewards, wellness programs, and much more. With our 12 paid holidays and 15 PTO days, work/life balance is a priority! Additionally, most positions are eligible for a housing discount of 20%.

Essex provides great communities in which to live, work and invest. We are a purpose-driven company, and we pride ourselves on promoting an internal culture of growth and opportunity by engaging, enabling, and empowering our teams. Working at Essex is not a destination. It is a journey where you can confidently build your career.

New hires generally start between $83,000.00 - $102,000.00 per year. The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, including but not limited to skill sets; relevant experience; internal equity; and other business and organizational needs.

This role is also eligible to participate in Essex’s discretionary Annual Bonus program that is commensurate with the level of the position.