Compensation Manager

MaxIT Consulting - Max Corporate Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

MaxIT Consulting – Max Corporate Group is seeking a Compensation Manager for a leading global professional services organization. This senior advisory role focuses on designing and implementing sophisticated workforce and rewards strategies, leading large-scale client engagements, and advising executives and HR leaders.

The role blends compensation expertise with analytics, client leadership, and business development in a hybrid Chicago setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, HR, Finance, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in compensation consulting or HR advisory.
• Subject-matter expertise in compensation strategy and program design.
• Ability to lead multiple large-scale projects and complex client engagements.
• Strong knowledge of pay structures, market analysis, and job architecture.
• Ability to advise senior executives and HR leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale compensation and rewards consulting engagements.
• Structure, direct, review, and interpret analyses produced by project teams.
• Develop compensation strategies, philosophies, structures, and programs for client attraction and retention.
• Advise senior executives and HR leaders on pay strategy, market competitiveness, and program design.
• Design and support incentive plans and other reward programs.
• Translate market data into actionable client recommendations.
• Support digital enablement of compensation and job architecture solutions.
• Manage day-to-day client relationships and act as trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.
• Present findings and strategic options to executive audiences.
• Coach junior team members and ensure quality of deliverables.
• Support business development by identifying new client opportunities and cross-selling.

Skills

8+ years exp

Compensation strategy

Job architecture

Incentive design

Regulatory knowledge

Executive advisory

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/HR/Finance

Job description

Compensation Manager

Chicago, Illinois | Hybrid | Full-Time | Direct Hire

MaxIT Consulting – Max Corporate Group is seeking an experienced Compensation Manager for a leading global professional services organization.

This is a senior-level advisory opportunity focused on helping complex organizations design and implement sophisticated workforce and rewards strategies. The successful candidate will lead large-scale client engagements, develop compensation solutions, advise senior executives and HR leaders, coach project teams, and contribute directly to business development.

The role combines deep subject-matter expertise in compensation with analytics, client leadership, technology, and commercial responsibility.

The Opportunity

You will partner with senior management and HR leaders to develop compensation strategies that help organizations attract, retain, and motivate talent.

The work will involve complex client environments and may include pay strategy, job architecture, incentive design, market analysis, compensation technology, regulatory considerations, and digital enablement.

This position is particularly well suited to someone who combines strong analytical capabilities with executive-level advisory skills and enjoys developing both client solutions and new business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of large-scale compensation and rewards consulting engagements.
• Structure, direct, review, and interpret complex analyses performed by project teams.
• Develop compensation strategies, philosophies, structures, and programs aligned with client attraction and retention objectives.
• Advise senior executives and HR leaders on pay strategy, market competitiveness, job architecture, and compensation program design.
• Design and support incentive plans and other reward programs.
• Translate market data and analytical findings into actionable client recommendations.
• Support the digital enablement and implementation of compensation and job architecture solutions.
• Manage day-to-day client relationships and serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.
• Present findings, recommendations, and strategic options to executive audiences.
• Provide guidance and oversight to junior team members while ensuring high-quality client deliverables.
• Support business development by identifying new client opportunities, expanding existing engagements, and pursuing cross-selling opportunities.
• Contribute to proposals, Statements of Work, client presentations, and other commercial activities.
• Leverage technology-enabled tools, analytics, and AI where appropriate to improve consulting delivery and client outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in compensation consulting, HR advisory, total rewards consulting, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in compensation strategy and program design.
• Proven ability to lead multiple large-scale projects and complex client engagements.
• Strong knowledge of pay structures, market competitiveness, job architecture, incentive plan design, and market analysis methodologies.
• Knowledge of regulatory considerations affecting compensation programs.
• Strong client relationship management skills with experience advising senior executives and HR leaders.
• Experience translating complex analytical findings into clear business recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving.
• Ability to coach and guide project team members while maintaining accountability for deliverable quality.

Preferred Background

Particularly relevant experience may include:

• Total Rewards consulting
• Executive or broad-based compensation advisory
• Job architecture and job evaluation
• Compensation benchmarking and market pricing
• Incentive plan design
• Pay structure development
• Global rewards programs
• Compensation technology
• Survey management tools
• AI-enabled HR or rewards solutions
• Executive-level client advisory
• Large, complex, or multinational client environments

Experience within a major HR consulting, rewards advisory, human capital consulting, or specialized compensation advisory organization will be highly valued.

Business Development

This role includes meaningful responsibility for supporting practice growth.

Strong candidates should be comfortable with activities such as:

• Developing new client relationships
• Identifying opportunities within existing accounts
• Qualifying client needs
• Supporting or leading sales conversations
• Developing proposals and Statements of Work
• Presenting solutions to prospective clients
• Expanding existing engagements
• Identifying cross-selling opportunities
• Contributing to revenue generation

Prior success combining consulting delivery with commercial responsibility will be a significant advantage.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate a track record of leading complex compensation engagements and influencing senior decision-makers.

Relevant accomplishments may include:

• Designing enterprise compensation strategies
• Developing competitive pay structures
• Leading job architecture programs
• Designing incentive plans
• Advising executive leadership on compensation decisions
• Managing large or global client engagements
• Improving client attraction and retention strategies
• Developing innovative rewards solutions
• Expanding existing client relationships
• Winning new consulting work
• Coaching teams responsible for complex analytical deliverables

Work Arrangement

This is a hybrid position based in Chicago, Illinois.

The role requires a minimum of three days per week working from the office and/or at client locations.

Candidates should therefore be located within practical commuting distance of Chicago or have a clear plan to relocate independently.

Relocation assistance is not available.

Professional Environment

The organization offers an environment focused on:

• Professional development and career growth
• Exposure to complex and high-impact client engagements
• Collaboration with experienced professionals
• Technology-enabled consulting
• Flexible hybrid work
• Broad career opportunities
• Comprehensive employee benefits
• Supportive leadership and professional development

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, now or in the future.