Challenge
Two major oil companies launched a joint venture headquartered in Houston to operate and expand pipeline infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. While the company had existing pipeline operations, it planned significant investment and operational expansion in 2025, requiring the rapid hiring of operators, pipeline experts, and other critical talent.
With limited formal compensation infrastructure in place, the company faced a growing urgency to attract, motivate, and retain essential employees in a competitive labor market. Leadership recognized the need for a cohesive global compensation function, a clear compensation strategy, and a formalized pay program to support its rapid growth and talent needs.
Solution
The HR leadership team partnered with NBBS to architect the company’s global compensation foundation. We engaged directly with the CEO and senior leadership team to craft a compensation philosophy and strategy aligned with the company's growth ambitions, culture, and market dynamics. Collaborating with a leading third-party compensation consulting firm, we leveraged comprehensive market data to benchmark key roles and identify competitive pay positioning. Key actions included:
Reviewing, revising, and creating standardized job descriptions across operational and corporate roles.
Designing a new pay structure informed by market benchmarking and internal equity principles.
Creating career tracks and career ladders to support employee development, internal mobility, and long-term workforce planning.
Result
The engagement resulted in the successful rollout of a company-wide compensation strategy and philosophy, clearly communicated across all levels of the organization.
The new pay structure equipped leadership and HR with a strategic framework to make competitive, data-driven compensation decisions, while reinforcing transparency and fairness. The integrated career architecture and formalized compensation programs became critical tools for the company to attract, motivate, and retain key talent, positioning the joint venture for success ahead of its 2025 operational expansion.