Partner Compensation & Evaluation Associate Director

LLP; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 161,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP is seeking a Partner Compensation & Evaluation Associate Director in Illinois to lead a high‑impact function responsible for partner compensation, evaluation, analytics, and reporting. You will ensure confidential, timely workflows and align actions with Firm leadership expectations.

You will partner with Finance, Tax, Partner Relations, and Leadership to deliver accurate decisions, robust dashboards, and governance across complex partner structures. Hybrid work is supported.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 12+ years of progressive compensation/finance/HR experience.
• Experience with confidential compensation and senior stakeholder processes.
• Strong analytical capability with reports, dashboards, and executive material.
• Prior leadership of teams and cross-functional project coordination.
• Experience in complex, matrixed, service-oriented environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Partner Compensation & Evaluation function and manage the team.
• Establish priorities, timelines, controls, and service expectations.
• Coordinate evaluation-related timelines, materials, and leadership reporting.
• Develop analytics, models, and decision-support materials for leadership.
• Track compensation decisions, agreements, and related implications.
• Ensure accurate reflection of compensation changes in reporting and payments.
• Lead and develop team members, clarify roles, and improve governance.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Judgment and discretion

Interpersonal communication

Analytical problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Ability to work under pressure

Multitasking & prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Human Resources, Data Analytics, or related field

Advanced degree / MBA / CPA / SHRM or compensation certification

Tools

Advanced Excel / reporting platforms

Financial systems / compensation systems / data tools

Job description

The Partner Compensation & Evaluation Associate Director is responsible for leading the Firm’s Partner Compensation & Evaluation function, including support for the Partner evaluation process, compensation review cycles, compensation analytics, documentation, reporting, and coordination with adjacent Partner Matters functions. This role will provide leadership and operational discipline for an increasingly complex function, ensuring compensation and evaluation activity is accurate, timely, confidential, well-controlled, and aligned with Firm leadership expectations as the Firm’s Partner population and compensation structures continue to evolve, including income partner-related processes. Working closely with the Partner Services Director, Partner Relations, Partner Operations, Partner Accounting, Tax, Finance, Strategic Planning, Firm leadership, and other stakeholders, this individual will serve as a key compensation and evaluation process leader, analytical partner, and coordination point for sensitive Partner compensation matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the Partner Compensation & Evaluation function and manage the team responsible for compensation process support, evaluation coordination, analytics, reporting, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.

• Establish clear priorities, timelines, accountabilities, handoffs, controls, and service expectations for compensation and evaluation activity.

• Manage support for the Partner evaluation and compensation review process, including preparation for Management Committee compensation review meetings.

• Coordinate evaluation-related timelines, materials, data inputs, stakeholder follow-up, process documentation, and leadership reporting.

• Analyze quantitative and qualitative factors to support compensation discussions, leadership decision-making, Partner promotions, and other Partner population changes.

• Oversee the development of compensation analytics, reporting, models, and decision-support materials for Firm leadership.

• Track compensation-related decisions, individual agreements, committee determinations, special arrangements, and separation-related compensation implications.

• Coordinate closely with Partner Accounting, Partner Relations, Partner Operations, Tax, Finance, Strategic Planning, and Firm leadership to ensure compensation decisions, changes, payments, and reporting are accurately reflected.

• Maintain strong controls, documentation standards, confidentiality protocols, data quality, and process discipline for compensation and evaluation-related work.

• Lead, coach, and develop Compensation & Evaluation team members, including clarifying roles, managing workload allocation, supporting training, providing feedback, and identifying staffing, process, system, or governance improvements.

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Human Resources, Data Analytics, or related field.

• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in compensation, finance, accounting, analytics, human resources, professional services administration, or a related function.

• Experience managing confidential compensation, performance evaluation, financial, or senior stakeholder-related processes.

• Demonstrated analytical capability, including experience developing reports, models, dashboards, decision-support materials, or executive-facing analysis.

• Experience leading teams, managing projects or processes, and coordinating work across functions.

• Demonstrated ability to operate in a complex, matrixed, service-oriented environment.

Preferred:

• Experience in a large law firm or sophisticated professional services organization.

• Experience with Partner compensation, professional services compensation, performance evaluation, executive compensation, or equity / income partner structures.

• Advanced degree, MBA, CPA, SHRM certification, compensation certification, or related credential.

• Experience with financial systems, compensation systems, data management tools, or advanced Excel / reporting platforms.

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills

• Strong attention to detail

• Good judgment

• Strong interpersonal communication skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others

• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion

• Able to work under pressure

• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities.

#LI-KG1

#LI-Hybrid

The target salary range for this role is:

$161,400 to $229,950 if located in Illinois

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.