Senior Compensation Partner

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California is seeking a Senior Compensation Partner to translate data and strategy into decisions that shape talent attraction, retention, and rewards. You will influence equity, market competitiveness, and pay practices across academic and administrative functions.

Based in Los Angeles with a hybrid arrangement, you will act as a trusted advisor to HR and university leadership, guiding high-impact compensation decisions and delivering analytics-driven insights for

Qualifications

• Requires strong analytical, customer service and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interface with all levels of employees.
• Experience with compensation market data benchmarking and pay recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Advise & Influence: guide compensation decisions on structure, pay, and org design.
• Drive Pay Equity & Strategy: analyze internal equity and market competitiveness.
• Own Complex Compensation Work: manage reclassifications, promotions, and org changes with autonomy.
• Tell the Story with Data: create executive-ready narratives for leadership.
• Shape Programs & Practices: evolve compensation programs, policies, and job architecture.
• Ensure Compliance & Integrity: align with wage regulations and policies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Problem solving

Market data benchmarking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree in HR or Business Admin

Job description

Company Description

At USC, we're reimagining how compensation drives equity, competitiveness, and organizational strategy across one of the world's leading research universities.

As one of the largest employers in Los Angeles, USC serves a workforce of more than 19,000 staff across academic, research, and administrative functions. Our Compensation team plays a critical role in supporting this diverse population-driving equitable, competitive, and forward-thinking pay practices across the university.

Within the team, you'll find a highly collaborative and high-energy environment where partnership is key. We work closely across functions, share insights, and support one another's growth-creating opportunities for mentorship, skill development, and exposure to a wide range of compensation challenges and initiatives.

Job Description

We're seeking a Senior Compensation Partner who thrives at the intersection of data, strategy, and influence, translating complex insights into decisions that shape how we attract, retain, and reward talent while continuously evolving our approach through data, technology, and emerging tools, including AI-driven insights.

In this role, you'll serve as a trusted advisor to HR and University leadership, guiding high-impact compensation decisions across diverse academic and administrative functions.

Work Arrangement:

This hybrid role is based in Los Angeles, with an expectation of approximately two days per week on-site.

What Sets This Role Apart

• High visibility across a complex, decentralized organization
• Opportunity to influence equity and workforce strategy at scale
• Blend of hands-on analytics and consultative partnership
• Exposure to organizational design and strategic decision-making
• Opportunity to build a well-rounded compensation skill set, including analysis, consulting, and presentation to leadership
• Collaborative, high-energy team environment with mentorship and shared ownership of work
• Hybrid work environment based in Los Angeles

The Key Accountabilities

• Advise & Influence: Partner with HR leaders and departments to guide compensation decisions on structure, pay, and organizational design
• Drive Pay Equity & Strategy: Lead analyses on internal equity, market competitiveness, and pay practices-translating data into actionable recommendations
• Own Complex Compensation Work: Lead reclassifications, promotions, and organizational changes with a high degree of autonomy
• Tell the Story with Data: Build compelling, executive-ready narratives that inform leadership decisions
• Shape Programs & Practices: Contribute to the evolution of compensation programs, policies, and job architecture
• Ensure Compliance & Integrity: Maintain alignment with wage regulations, institutional policies, and best practices

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 6 years of job-related experience or transferable skills
• Solid compensation skills and experience as an analyst in a corporate or university environment.
• Thorough knowledge of compensation best practices, principles, methodologies and wage and hour regulations, skilled in analyzing and evaluating job content.
• Ability to identify and solve problems creatively.
• Knowledge of compensation market data benchmarking and analysis for providing guidance to business partners on pay recommendations.
• Excellent analytical, customer service and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface and communicate with all levels of employees.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and set priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail oriented.

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration or in related field(s)
• 8 years of job-related experience or transferable skills
• Experience providing guidance and direction to compensation analysts.
• Certified Compensation Professional - CCP (WorldatWork)

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Why USC

At USC, you're not just supporting compensation programs-you're helping shape how one of the world's leading institutions attracts and retains talent. With exposure across a diverse and complex organization, you'll gain experience that is difficult to replicate in more traditional corporate environments.

This role offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of compensation challenges, partner with leadership across the university, and continuously expand your skill set in a dynamic, evolving environment. No two days are the same-and that's part of what makes this work so engaging.

You'll also become part of the Trojan Network-a strong, connected community that supports long-term career growth and opens doors to opportunities both within USC and beyond.

Employee Benefits

USC offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports our employees and their families, including robust healthcare options, retirement plans with employer contributions, and tuition benefits for employees and their dependents. These programs are designed to support long-term well-being, financial security, and continued growth.

Our employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans, and our culture is built on mutual respect, trust, and collaboration. Join us!

The salary range for this position is $116,000 to $130,000. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

Additional Requirements

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 6 years of job-related experience or transferable skills

Minimum Skills: Solid compensation skills and experience as an analyst in a corporate or university environment. Thorough knowledge of compensation best practices, principles, methodologies and wage and hour regulations, skilled in analyzing and evaluating job content. Ability to identify and solve problems creatively. Knowledge of compensation market data benchmarking and analysis for providing guidance to business partners on pay recommendations. Excellent analytical, customer service and critical thinking skills. Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface and communicate with all levels of employees. Ability to work effectively in a team environment. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to multi-task and set priorities in a fast-paced environment. Detail oriented.

Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree In Human Resources Or Business Administration Or in related field(s)

Preferred Certifications: Certified Compensation Professional - CCP (WorldatWork)

Preferred Experience: 8 years of job-related experience or transferable skills

Preferred Skills: Experience providing guidance and direction to compensation analysts.