Senior Compensation Partner

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.

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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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

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: