HEVC encoders impose several challenges in resource-constrained embedded applications, especially under real-time and battery constraints. This paper proposes a complexity-scalable encoder that is able to achieve considerable time savings while maintaining an efficient rate-distortion-complexity tradeoff. To design the system, a complexity analysis of HEVC-supported parameters as well as new ones introduced in this work is presented. To build the configurations for each target savings, a Complexity Target Satisfaction algorithm was designed. This algorithm was able to reduce the optimization space by approximately 600 times, producing efficient configurations with up to 90% time savings. The complete system was implemented and tested against a state-of-the-art complexity management implementation. The results proved the efficiency of our solution, as it achieves more time savings and better compression for savings of 60% and higher.