Compensation & Classification Analyst

Focus People; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus People is partnering with a public research institution in Downtown Atlanta to fill a Compensation & Classification Analyst (Contract) role. The position supports the implementation of a new compensation framework, job architecture, and salary planning strategy in a fast-paced, on-site environment.

You will translate strategy into operational reality, perform market pricing, and contribute to analytics that inform leadership decisions.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of compensation and/or classification experience.
• Experience in a large, complex organization.
• Direct involvement with job evaluation, classification, or job architecture initiatives.
• Experience supporting annual salary planning processes.
• Compensation survey administration and market pricing experience.

Responsibilities

• Translate compensation strategy into operational reality by supporting job architecture implementation, market pricing initiatives, salary planning activities, and compensation analytics.
• Perform compa-ratio analysis, internal equity reviews, and pay progression assessments.
• Analyze compensation trends and workforce data and create reports and dashboards for leadership decisions.
• Support annual compensation planning processes and develop planning templates and reporting tools.
• Validate compensation data, support testing, and maintain audit-ready documentation.

Skills

Nested formulas

Compensation modeling

Compensation analytics

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Compensation & Classification Analyst (Contract)

Downtown Atlanta, GA (100% On-Site)

Project Assignment: August 2026– February 2027

Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Help Shape the Future of Compensation Strategy

We're partnering with a prestigious public research institution to identify a highly skilled Compensation & Classification Analyst for a high-impact compensation modernization initiative.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative compensation team and play a critical role in implementing a newly designed compensation framework, job architecture structure, and salary planning strategy. If you enjoy solving complex compensation challenges, analyzing workforce data, and creating structures that drive organizational consistency, this project offers meaningful and visible work.

What You'll Be Doing

As a key member of the compensation team, you'll help translate compensation strategy into operational reality by supporting job architecture implementation, market pricing initiatives, salary planning activities, and compensation analytics.

Key Responsibilities

Compensation & Job Architecture

• Evaluate positions and support job classification and leveling decisions.
• Review organizational structures and recommend appropriate career levels.
• Develop and maintain job descriptions and classification documentation.

Market Pricing & Survey Administration

• Conduct market pricing analyses and compensation benchmarking.
• Participate in salary survey submissions and job matching activities.
• Maintain compensation survey documentation and supporting resources.
• Develop market-based compensation recommendations.

Advanced Compensation Analytics

• Perform compa-ratio analysis, internal equity reviews, and pay progression assessments.
• Analyze compensation trends and workforce data.
• Create reports and dashboards that support leadership decision-making.
• Translate complex data into actionable business insights.

Salary Planning Support

• Support annual compensation planning processes.
• Develop and maintain planning templates and reporting tools.
• Validate calculations and ensure data accuracy.
• Partner with HR professionals throughout the compensation cycle.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Validate compensation data within HR systems.
• Support compensation-related testing and troubleshooting activities.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Assist with process improvement initiatives and workflow optimization.

Training & Change Support

• Develop training materials and job aids.
• Support managers and HR partners through compensation-related changes.
• Help communicate compensation frameworks and classification guidelines.

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

• 4+ years of compensation and/or classification experience.
• Experience working within a large, complex organization.
• Direct involvement with job evaluation, classification, or job architecture initiatives.
• Experience supporting annual salary planning processes.
• Compensation survey administration and market pricing experience.

Technical Expertise

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including:
• Nested formulas
• Compensation modeling and reporting
• Experience conducting compensation analytics and internal equity reviews.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to complete a compensation-focused Excel assessment.

Preferred Backgrounds

• Higher Education
• Public Sector/Government
• Large Corporate or Enterprise Organizations
• Total Rewards or Compensation Consulting

Why This Opportunity?

Contribute to a major compensation modernization initiative

Gain exposure to enterprise-wide compensation strategy and job architecture implementation

Work alongside experienced compensation professionals

Make a measurable impact on organizational compensation programs

Fast-moving hiring process with immediate interview opportunities