The Service
Building Fair & Competitive Pay Structures
Executive Staff & Faculty Compensation
Attracting and retaining exceptional faculty and staff starts with a compensation system that’s both internally equitable and externally competitive. McKnight HR brings deep expertise in executive staff and faculty compensation — designing classification and pay structures that work for the complex realities of higher education.
We work with your HR and finance teams to build frameworks that stand up to scrutiny — from accreditation reviews to faculty senate discussions — while positioning your institution competitively in the talent market for both executive leadership and faculty talent.
Our Framework
The Three Pillars We Build On
Internal Equity
Ensuring consistent, defensible pay relationships across all roles and departments within your institution.
External Equity
Benchmarking against peer institutions and the broader market to keep your compensation competitive.
Accountability
Clear documentation, audit-ready structures, and ongoing governance frameworks for long-term integrity.
What's Included
Service Deliverables
Job Analysis & Position Descriptions
Comprehensive job content analysis and updated position description library.
Market Benchmarking
Salary survey data collection and analysis against peer institutions and national benchmarks.
Pay Structure Design
Grade and range structures with clear progression paths for all employee categories.
Pay Equity Analysis
Statistical analysis identifying unexplained pay disparities and recommended remediation.
Compensation Policy
Governance policies, manager guidelines, and employee communications materials.
Executive & Faculty Compensation
Specialized frameworks for senior leadership, executive staff, and faculty rank-based compensation — designed to attract and retain top-tier talent in higher education.
Pay Equity Analysis
Statistical analysis identifying unexplained pay disparities and recommended remediation.
Specialized Areas
Explore Our Specialized Practices
Executive Compensation
Defensible pay packages for presidents, chancellors, and senior administrators designed for board and public review.
Faculty Compensation
Rank-based structures, promotion pathways, and equity analysis for faculty compensation.
Ready to Modernize Your Pay Structure?
Let’s start with a free consultation to assess where your institution stands today.