Compensation and Workforce Planning Manager

Sheppard; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheppard Mullin seeks a Manager of Compensation and Workforce Planning & Governance to lead professional staff compensation, performance management, workforce planning, analytics, and governance. The role partners with Finance, Recruiting, and practice leaders to drive data-informed workforce decisions across the firm.

The position focuses on compensation programs, forecasting, governance, and ongoing reporting while ensuring compliant people practices.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in compensation analysis, workforce planning or HR analytics
• Advanced Excel including pivot tables, lookups, modeling
• Experience with HRIS platforms (Workday/PeopleSoft) preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication, detail-oriented

Responsibilities

• Analyze internal compensation data and market trends to design and maintain competitive structures
• Lead annual compensation reviews and related initiatives
• Develop salary structures, pay ranges, classifications, and governance practices
• Benchmark roles using survey data and provide market insights
• Partner with Finance, Recruiting, and leadership on compensation and workforce planning
• Develop reports and dashboards to track metrics and identify risks
• Ensure compliance with legal regulations and internal policies
• Govern governance standards for org structure, reporting relationships, and changes

Skills

Compensation analysis

Workforce planning

HR analytics

Excel proficiency

HRIS (Workday/PeopleSoft)

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Finance/Business

Certified Compensation Professional (preferred)

Tools

Workday/PeopleSoft

Monday.com

Job description

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, a global Am Law 50 firm, has an immediate opening for a Compensation and Workforce Planning Manager.

We are considering candidates in any of our U.S. offices including Century City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, San Diego (Del Mar), San Diego (Downtown), San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Washington DC. There is only one opening.

Job Summary

Sheppard, a leading global law firm, is seeking a highly analytical, detail-oriented Manager of Compensation and Workforce Planning & Governance to join the Human Resources team. This role leads professional staff compensation, performance management, workforce planning, workforce analytics, and organizational governance functions.

The Manager oversees compensation programs, workforce forecasting, organizational controls, and performance management processes that support the firm’s business objectives, talent strategy, and financial goals. The position partners closely with Finance, Recruiting, Professional Development, HR Delivery, and department leadership to drive data-informed workforce decisions and ensure consistent, compliant people practices across the firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze internal compensation data and external market trends to support the design, administration, and maintenance of competitive compensation structures for attorneys and professional staff.
• Manage annual compensation review processes for professional staff, including merit increases, bonus programs, promotions, market adjustments, and other compensation initiatives.
• Develop, maintain, and administer salary structures, pay ranges, job classifications, compensation guidelines, and pay governance practices.
• Evaluate compensation trends, internal equity, market competitiveness, and workforce movement to support informed compensation decisions.
• Benchmark roles using survey data, including Aon, Mercer, NALP, and ALM, and provide insights into market competitiveness.
• Partner with Talent Management, Finance, Practice Group Leaders, and department leadership on compensation decisions and related workforce planning matters.
• Develop reports and dashboards to track compensation metrics, workforce trends, discrepancies, and potential compliance risks.
• Support compensation-related projects, including pay transparency, job architecture, pay equity, and total rewards strategy.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legal regulations and internal policies, including FLSA classification, pay equity requirements, and international standards where applicable.
• Lead annual and long-range workforce planning initiatives to align business needs, talent resources, and firm strategy.
• Develop and maintain workforce forecasting, headcount planning, position management, and organizational modeling processes.
• Analyze workforce metrics, including headcount movement, turnover, vacancies, promotions, internal mobility, span of control, workforce demographics, utilization, and productivity trends.
• Partner with Finance and firm leadership to support workforce budgeting, position management, and resource planning decisions.
• Establish and maintain governance standards related to organizational structure, reporting relationships, job architecture, workforce approvals, and organizational changes.
• Maintain accurate compensation and workforce records and documentation while ensuring confidentiality, data integrity, and appropriate governance controls.

Required Qualifications

• 3-5 or more years of experience in compensation analysis, workforce planning, HR analytics, or a related function, preferably in a law firm, professional services firm, or corporate HR environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookup formulas, modeling, and data analysis; experience with Workday, PeopleSoft, or other HRIS platforms preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Monday.com or similar software-as-a-service workflow, reporting, or project management platforms.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• High attention to detail, sound judgment, integrity, and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; Certified Compensation Professional certification preferred.

Work Environment

• Working indoors with limited exposure to hazards (only those that customarily come up with working in a high-rise building).
• Indoor office work environment in a cubical or workstation.
• The current Firm policy is hybrid–working in the office a minimum of 3 days per week and working from home the rest of the week (subject to change).
• Overtime may be required as the job duties demand.

Travel Requirements

Up to 20%

California: The salary range for this position is: $100,000 - $120,000 per year.

Illinois: The salary range for this position is: $100,000 - $120,000 per year. This position is eligible for bonuses. This position is also eligible for medical, vision, and dental insurance. Please note that the foregoing compensation and benefit information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position only and is provided pursuant to Illinois Equal Pay Act.

Washington DC: The pay range for this position is: $100,000 - $120,000 per year. Medical, vision, and dental coverage is available, including coverage for dependents and domestic partners. Please note that the foregoing compensation and benefit information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position as of the time of this posting and is provided pursuant to the District of Columbia Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act of 2023.

New York: The pay range for this position is: $100,000 - $120,000 per year. Please note that the foregoing compensation information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position only and is provided pursuant to the New York City Salary Transparency Law.

Sheppard is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, protected medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.