Senior Compensation Partner

About the role

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

Additional information

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)

Additional information

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.

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.

#LI-Hybrid

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

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

Minimum Experience

• 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 Skills

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

Additional information

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: