Senior Executive Compensation Consultant

Mercer; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 248,000 - 372,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition assistance

401(k) retirement plan

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Mercer is seeking a Senior Executive Compensation Consultant to lead the design and delivery of executive and broad-based compensation programs, focusing on higher education clients. This hybrid role, based near a Mercer office with at least three office days weekly, will manage project teams, client relationships and revenue growth.

You will mentor junior staff, collaborate across Marsh units, and ensure client deliverables reflect best practices in total rewards and governance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in executive and broad-based compensation consulting, preferably with higher education clients.
• Strong technical skills in compensation analysis, incentive-plan design and total rewards strategy.
• Solid knowledge of executive compensation regulations for tax-exempt organizations.
• Proven client-relationship and project-leadership experience, including delivery of client-facing presentations and materials.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of executive and broad-based compensation programs.
• Manage project teams and client relationships, driving revenue growth.
• Develop compensation philosophies and programs to support attraction and retention goals.
• Monitor higher-ed trends and adapt Marsh tools and resources accordingly.
• Provide guidance to junior staff and mentor team members.
• Liaise with Marsh units as the career thought leader for higher education.

Skills

Executive compensation consulting

Incentive-plan design

Total rewards strategy

Client relationship management

Project leadership

Regulations knowledge (tax-exempt)

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/economics

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

We are seeking a talented professional to join our Career team at Mercer, a Marsh business. This hybrid role is based near a Mercer office and requires at least three days per week in the office.

The Senior Executive Compensation Consultant will lead the design and delivery of executive and broad-based compensation programs, with a primary focus on higher education clients. You will manage project teams, own client relationships, drive revenue through new business development, and ensure junior team members have meaningful development opportunities.

Key responsibilities

• Structure, direct, review, and interpret compensation analyses produced by project teams.
• Develop broad-based compensation philosophies, strategies, and programs that support clients’ attraction and retention goals.
• Monitor higher-education trends and adapt Marsh tools, research, and resources to create practical, data-driven strategies and solutions for higher education clients.
• Assess current pay and program features against market practice and clients’ circumstances and prepare clear client deliverables.
• Design short-term incentive programs and financial performance measurement/target-setting systems aligned with clients’ strategic objectives.
• Advise senior management on remuneration and related human capital issues.
• Generate revenue by developing new client relationships, expanding existing accounts, and representing Mercer in the marketplace.
• Delegate work and provide guidance to team members, assigning tasks at appropriate career levels to create development opportunities.
• Liaise with consultants across Marsh business units as the career thought leader for the higher education vertical.

Required Qualifications

• Significant experience in executive and broad-based compensation consulting, preferably with demonstrable work for higher education clients.
• Strong technical skills in compensation analysis, incentive-plan design, and total rewards strategy.
• Solid knowledge of executive compensation regulations for tax-exempt organizations.
• Proven client-relationship and project-leadership experience, including delivery of client-facing presentations and materials.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).

What makes you stand out:

• Track record of driving sales and maintaining a book of business within higher education or similar sectors.
• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) or relevant certifications (e.g., CCP) and strong quantitative/analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior staff and to collaborate effectively across multiple Marsh office teams.

Why join our team:

• We help you be your best through professional development opportunities, interesting work and supportive leaders.
• We foster a vibrant and inclusive culture where you can work with talented colleagues to create new solutions and have impact on colleagues, clients and communities.
• Thrive and be motivated by an environment that embraces AI and technology-enabled tools.
• Our scale enables us to provide a range of career opportunities, as well as benefits and rewards to enhance your well-being.

Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Marsh is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, veteran status (including protected veterans), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting [e-mail].

Marsh is committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All Marsh colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one “anchor day” per week on which their full team will be together in person.

The applicable base salary range for this role is $248,000 to $372,000.

The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

• We are excited to offer a competitive total rewards package which includes health and welfare benefits, tuition assistance, 401K savings and other retirement programs as well as employee assistance programs.
• In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives.

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