Compensation, Classification & Career Architecture
Compensation, Classification, & Career Architecture (CCCA) is a unit within Illinois Human Resources (IHR) that establishes and implements classification and compensation structures to enable the university’s mission and vision through its workforce.
Compensation, Classification, & Career Architecture is responsible for:
- Ensuring the proper evaluation and classification of all staff positions under the State Universities Civil Service System (SUCSS), including the civil service classification plan and positions exempted as academic professionals.
- Continual evaluation and development of the organization’s effectiveness with compensation- and classification-related matters to meet the needs of our diverse workforce.
- Collaborating with HR business partners and other stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions to the unique staffing needs of our university.
- Supporting leadership in developing equitable compensation, recruitment, and retention programs aligned with the University’s strategies and goals.
- Delivering decision support research, analysis, data, and tools related to compensation and classification, leveraging best practice surveys & analysis.
- Administering operational and compliance efforts to enable university units and staff to focus and succeed in their teaching, research, and engagement missions.
Contact Information
Developing Job Descriptions
Instructions/job aids can be found on the Job Aids page.
Meet the CCCA Staff
Learn about the whole IHR team!
Bryan Rojek
Bryan, Executive Director Compensation Strategy, facilitates the transformation of compensation, classification, & career architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Bryan oversees the development of compensation strategies, guiding leadership from planning to execution. He leads and mentors a team serving the campus community, manages the Compensation & Classification Centers of Expertise, and offers analysis and insights for compensation decisions. Additionally, he plays a role in shaping the University’s career architecture, organizing various job roles and career paths.
Adam Austin
Assists with contract implementations, policy guidance, front end and Banner troubleshooting, and other pay administration related topics. His background includes work in HR Data Operations and specializes in Civil Service-related questions.
Megan Heath
Process JDX workflows including staff vacancies, temporary employment vacancies, off-cycle pay requests, staff appointment changes, and job description reviews. Position maintenance including Position Control, HRFE, Position Files, and Audit Log. Process and monitor job description acknowledgements. Manage CCCA phone lines and CCCA general email inbox.
Ash Little
The Compensation Manager ensures Civil Service and aspects of Administrative compensation programs are administered within the confides of State, SUCSS and Universities guidelines. The Compensation Manager works with Administrators to create a compensation structure that will attract and retain a high-performance workforce, providing resources and expertise used in the determination of appropriate salaries. The Compensation Manager participates in and conducts salary surveys, conducting analysis to support recommendations for pay adjustments, and consults with Staff and Administrators relaying compensation policy and practices.
C. Nicholson
Responsible for daily management and staff supervision for the university’s classification plan/functions and provides operational support for the Center of Expertise (COE) for Compensation, Classification and Career Architecture. Serves as a subject-matter expert interpreting and ensuring compliance relating to classification policies, processes, and procedures; training staff and campus personnel; improving COE processes and procedures, advising IHR and campus personnel; and resolving challenging position/staffing needs. Develops customized presentations and resources for training and ensuring compliance with university, state, and federal policies and regulations.
Lori Phanranah
Process JDX workflows including staff vacancies, temporary employment vacancies, off-cycle pay requests, staff appointment changes, and job description reviews. Position maintenance including Position Control, HRFE, Position Files, and Audit Log. Process and monitor job description acknowledgements. Manage CCCA phones lines and CCCA general email inbox.
Jody Taylor
Assist with contract implementations, Civil Service salary approvals, pay related topics, and SURS 6% billing. Her background includes work with the IHR Classification hub and specializes in crafts & trades prevailing wages.
Amy Grindley
Oversee the Processing Hub in CCCA. Coordinate and monitor processes and workflows including staff vacancies, temporary employment vacancies, staff appointment changes, off-cycle pay request, and job description reviews. Process reclass HRFE transactions. Serve as a resource expert within CCCA hub and troubleshooting JDX situations. Manage the Departmental Classification Program (DCP) and service as coordinator including reviewing and approving DCP audits and conducting periodic training with campus partners.