Manager, Compensation

Manager, Compensation Division of Human Resources University of Southern California About the Role USC Human Resources is seeking a collaborative and people-focused leader to oversee the day‑to‑day operations of the Compensation team and ensure the effective delivery of staff compensation programs and services across the university. The Manager of Compensation leads, coaches, and develops a team of compensation professionals while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, and exceptional client service. Working closely with HR leadership, university leaders, and HR partners, the Manager oversees the administration of compensation programs, job evaluations, market pricing, and salary actions while ensuring work is completed accurately, consistently, and in compliance with university policies and applicable regulations. The ideal candidate is an experienced people manager who enjoys developing talent, improving processes, and helping a high‑performing team deliver outstanding results in a complex, fast‑paced environment. This position requires an on‑site presence of a minimum of three days per week at the University Park Campus. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Operations Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of compensation professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, and exceptional client service. Manage the team’s day‑to‑day operations, workload, and priorities to ensure timely, accurate, and high‑quality service delivery. Recruit, onboard, coach, evaluate, and develop team members through regular performance feedback and professional development. Establish, monitor, and communicate meaningful team and individual performance metrics that promote accountability, quality, responsiveness, and continuous improvement. Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness, streamline processes, and leverage technology to enhance efficiency and the client experience. Measure client satisfaction with compensation services and implement improvements informed by feedback. Foster strong partnerships across HR and the university, promoting collaboration and a consistent, high‑quality client experience. Compensation Consulting & Program Administration Manage the administration of staff compensation programs and services, ensuring compliance with university policies, applicable regulations, and service delivery standards. Provide expert consultation to HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, managers, and university leaders regarding job evaluations, market pricing, salary recommendations, promotions, reclassifications, equity reviews, and other compensation‑related matters. Review and evaluate job descriptions for appropriate classification, job family placement, and internal equity; oversee appeals and exception requests. Oversee participation in internal and external salary surveys and ensure accurate market analyses that support sound compensation recommendations. Ensure the integrity of compensation data and job profile information within HR systems while supporting ongoing process improvements and technology enhancements. Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local compensation regulations, wage and hour laws, compensation methodologies, and industry trends. Communicate compensation analyses and recommendations effectively, using market data, benchmarking resources, and clear methodology to support informed decision‑making. Promote a culture of equity, respect, accountability, and ethical conduct consistent with USC’s values and Code of Ethics. Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field. Four to six years of progressively responsible compensation experience, including demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing professional staff. Experience administering compensation programs in a corporate, healthcare, higher education, or similarly complex organization. Strong knowledge of compensation principles, job evaluation methodologies, market pricing, salary administration, and applicable wage and hour laws. Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret compensation data and communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences. Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem‑solving, and customer service skills. Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all organizational levels. Proven ability to communicate effectively in face‑to‑face and group settings with diverse stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, service‑oriented environment. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation. Experience administering compensation programs in higher education or another large, decentralized organization. Experience with compensation survey tools, job evaluation methodologies, and job classification frameworks. Demonstrated success coaching and developing employees at varying career stages. Experience presenting complex compensation analyses using data visualization, benchmarking, and clear business narratives to support decision‑making. Additional Information Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required based on business needs. The annual base salary range for this position is $156,000 – $165,000. 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 equity, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions. USC provides benefits‑eligible employees with a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and other resources designed to support employees and their families. #J-18808-Ljbffr