Compensation Benchmarking Review for a Canadian University
Independent compensation benchmarking review for a Canadian university, covering 80+ unionized operational, trades, service, and supervisory roles to support market analysis and bargaining preparation.
The challenge
A Canadian university needed an independent third-party compensation benchmarking review for more than 80 unionized operational roles spanning food services, custodial, recreation, campus safety, trades, facilities, and supervisory functions. The goal was to provide a defensible external reference point to support internal compensation discussions and bargaining preparation.
Our approach
Sellar Strategic Advisory developed a structured benchmarking methodology that combined role validation, job-family grouping, occupational matching, blended market comparisons, and documented confidence levels. The analysis used multiple benchmark sources and applied practical closest-match logic where direct comparators were limited.
What we delivered
We provided a complete benchmarking package, including a role-level benchmark dataset, executive findings summary, data dictionary, methodology notes, and stakeholder-ready implications.
What the client gained
The review identified where compensation was broadly aligned to market, where below-market pressure was concentrated, and where wage compression was emerging in lead and supervisory roles. The result was a practical, evidence-based foundation for more informed compensation and bargaining discussions.