University of Southern California

Senior Compensation Partner

Posted 3 Days Ago

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University Park, CA, USA

In-Office

116K-143K Annually

Senior level

Edtech

The Role

The Senior Compensation Partner advises HR and leadership on compensation strategies, driving pay equity, and influencing workforce decisions using data analysis.

Summary Generated by Built In

Most compensation roles are heavy on execution and light on influence. This one isn’t.

At USC, you’ll help shape pay strategy within a workforce of 19,000+ employees—partnering directly with leadership in a highly varied, multi-functional environment.

USC is one of the largest employers in Los Angeles, with a workforce spanning academic, research, healthcare, and administrative functions. That scale creates unique and meaningful compensation challenges—along with the opportunity to influence equity, competitiveness, and organizational strategy in ways few roles can offer.

We’re looking for a Senior Compensation Partner who thrives at the intersection of data, strategy, and influence—and wants to play a visible role in evolving how compensation supports a world-class institution.

The Opportunity

This is a highly visible, strategic partner role.
You’ll work directly with HR and leadership to guide high-impact decisions on pay, structure, and organizational design—shaping how compensation supports talent across the university.

You’ll translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and contribute to modernizing compensation practices through new tools, technologies, and evolving approaches, including data-driven and AI-enabled insights.

If you’re looking for broader scope, more complex challenges, and the opportunity to work closely with leaders across a wide range of functions—while making a meaningful impact on pay equity and how people are supported—this role offers that and more.

Note: USC is actively hiring for multiple Senior Compensation Partner openings. Candidates may be considered for current and upcoming roles within our Compensation team.

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

The Key Accountabilities

Strategic advising: Partner with HR leaders and departments to guide compensation decisions on pay, structure, and organizational design
Pay equity & market strategy: Lead analyses on internal equity and market competitiveness, translating findings into clear, actionable recommendations
Complex compensation work: Lead reclassifications, promotions, and organizational changes with a high degree of autonomy and sound judgment
Data storytelling: Build clear, executive-ready narratives that inform and influence leadership decisions
Program evolution: Contribute to the development and refinement of compensation programs, policies, and job architecture
Mentorship & development: Provide guidance to less experienced team members and support knowledge sharing across the team
Governance & compliance: Ensure alignment with wage and hour regulations, institutional policies, and compensation best practices

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

What Sets This Role Apart

High visibility across a large, complex organization
Opportunity to influence pay equity and workforce strategy at scale
A blend of hands-on analytics and strategic consulting
Exposure to organizational design and senior leadership decision-making
Opportunity to mentor and guide junior team members
A role that builds readiness for future leadership and management paths
A collaborative, high-performing team environment
The chance to build a well-rounded compensation skill set spanning analysis, consulting, and executive communication

Who Thrives in This Role

You’ll be successful here if you:

Enjoy working in complex, evolving environments where every day brings interesting challenges
Can move comfortably between detailed analysis and strategic conversations
Like turning ambiguous or complex data into clear direction and insight
Are comfortable influencing stakeholders without direct authority
Take ownership and bring a proactive, solution-oriented mindset
Value collaboration, mentorship, and continuous learning

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree
6+ years of relevant experience in compensation or transferable skills
Strong foundation in compensation analysis within a corporate or university environment
Knowledge of compensation principles, methodologies, and wage and hour regulations
Experience with market benchmarking and pay analysis to support business decisions
Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work across all levels of an organization
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
8+ years of relevant experience
Experience providing guidance or direction to other compensation analysts
Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) credential
Experience working in large, complex, or multi-functional organizations (e.g., higher education, healthcare, or similarly structured environments)

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

This is an opportunity to do compensation work at a scale and level of complexity that is difficult to find in most organizations.

You’ll partner across a diverse, multi-functional institution, tackle a wide range of compensation challenges, and develop a skill set that extends beyond analysis into true strategic consulting. If you’re looking to grow into a more influential role, this environment will accelerate that path.

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 employees and their families, including:

Robust healthcare options
Retirement plans with employer contributions
Tuition benefits for employees and their dependents

These programs are designed to support long-term well-being, financial security, and continued growth.

The salary range for this position is $116,000 to $123,000. 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.

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.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.