Compensation Manager

Search Solution Group; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Search Solution Group is seeking a Compensation Manager for a private research university in New Orleans, LA. The role oversees day-to-day compensation operations, leads a team, and partners with HR and department heads to align programs with organizational goals.

The ideal candidate has strong analytical skills, advanced Excel, and prior supervisory experience. This is a contract leadership position with strategic impact on pay structures, benchmarking, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience in compensation, total rewards, HR, or related field welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the compensation team.
• Delegate assignments and manage team workload.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to compensation staff.
• Analyze compensation data and provide recommendations.
• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, and analyses using advanced Excel.
• Ensure compensation programs are administered accurately and consistently.
• Conduct market pricing and compensation benchmarking as needed.
• Partner with HR and department leaders on compensation initiatives.
• Assist with salary administration, pay structure reviews, and job evaluations.
• Maintain compensation data integrity and documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve compensation processes and efficiency.
• Support special compensation projects as assigned.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Leadership

Team coordination

Analytical thinking

Communication

Time management

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Process improvement

Relationship building

Confidentiality

Delegation

Project management

Prioritization

Decision making

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

HRIS

Compensation systems

Job description

Job Description

Job Overview

Search Solution Group is seeking a Compensation Manager on behalf of our client, a private research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. This contract leadership position is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the compensation function, managing and delegating work across the team, and supporting compensation programs that align with organizational goals. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, advanced in Excel, and possesses strong leadership and organizational skills. This role is well-suited for an emerging compensation leader who has supervisory experience and is ready to manage a team while driving efficient compensation processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the daily operations of the compensation team.
• Delegate assignments and manage team workload to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to compensation staff.
• Analyze compensation data and provide recommendations to support organizational decision-making.
• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, and compensation analyses using advanced Excel functions.
• Ensure compensation programs are administered accurately and consistently.
• Conduct market pricing and compensation benchmarking as needed.
• Partner with Human Resources and department leaders to support compensation-related initiatives.
• Assist with salary administration, pay structure reviews, and job evaluations.
• Maintain compensation data integrity and ensure accurate documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve compensation processes and operational efficiency.
• Support special projects and other compensation-related responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Experience

• Experience working in compensation, total rewards, human resources, or a related field.
• Previous experience leading, supervising, or coordinating the work of others is preferred.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting compensation analysis, salary administration, or job evaluations is preferred.

Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, pivot tables, formulas, and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Leadership and team coordination skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize work and delegate responsibilities effectively.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with HR, leadership, and cross-functional teams.

Certifications

• CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) certification is a plus but not required.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certifications are also considered an asset.

Knowledge

• Compensation administration principles.
• Salary structures and market pricing methodologies.
• Job evaluation and compensation analysis.
• Data analysis and reporting.
• Microsoft Excel (advanced proficiency required).
• HRIS and compensation management systems.
• Human Resources best practices.
• Employment and compensation regulations.

Key Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Leadership
• Team Management
• Delegation
• Analytical Thinking
• Advanced Excel Proficiency
• Problem Solving
• Organization and Planning
• Attention to Detail
• Communication Skills
• Decision Making
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Time Management
• Adaptability
• Initiative
• Process Improvement
• Relationship Building
• Confidentiality
• Results Orientation