Manager, Compensation

Manager, Compensation

USC Human Resources is seeking a collaborative and analytical leader to manage the design, delivery, and evaluation of staff compensation programs across the university. The Manager of Compensation will play a key role in ensuring USC's pay practices remain equitable, competitive, and aligned with institutional values. This is a dynamic opportunity for a compensation professional to lead high-impact work in a complex and evolving organization.

The Manager of Compensation is responsible for planning, developing, and overseeing compensation programs, policies, and procedures for university staff. This role is part of a broader organizational realignment and has been designed to support USC's commitment to operational excellence, pay equity, and data-informed decision-making.

The Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the compensation team and partners closely with HR business partners across USC to ensure pay practices align with recruitment, retention, and equity goals. This position also leads compensation consulting services for schools and administrative units, providing expert guidance on job classification, salary setting, and market analysis.

The role emphasizes leveraging technology to transform the way work is done and increase response times, while maintaining a strong focus on measuring client satisfaction with compensation services. The Manager will also be expected to develop and coach team members at various stages of their careers, establish clear team and individual performance metrics, and model excellent face-to-face communication skills when working with clients and stakeholders. An ability to tell a compelling story with data, citing benchmark resources and calculation methods, will be critical to influencing decision-making and strengthening transparency in compensation practices.

In addition, the Manager serves as a key liaison for internal audits, survey participation, and compliance efforts, playing a critical role in delivering consistent, transparent, and continuously improving compensation services.

This position requires an on-site presence of a minimum of 3 days per week at the University Park Campus.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the administration of staff compensation programs and services, ensuring compliance with program goals, institutional needs, and service delivery standards.
• Lead the compensation team, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, coaching, and day-to-day operations.
• Establish and monitor team and individual performance metrics to ensure accountability, quality, and service excellence.
• Oversee participation in internal and external salary surveys; analyze results to assess market competitiveness and inform strategy.
• Review and evaluate job descriptions for appropriate classification, job family placement, and equity; oversee appeals and exception requests.
• Ensure job profile data is accurately maintained in the HRIS system and leverage technology to streamline and improve processes.
• Provide expert consulting services to HR partners and managers on compensation best practices, new hire offers, promotions, and salary adjustments.
• Measure client satisfaction with compensation services and implement improvements informed by feedback.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and local compensation regulations and wage and hour laws.
• Stay current on industry trends, market developments, and compensation methodologies through professional development and active association engagement.
• Promote a culture of equity, respect, and accountability in alignment with USC's Code of Ethics.
• Communicate insights and recommendations effectively, using data storytelling and benchmarking resources to influence decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

The annual base salary range for this position is $156,000 - $165,000 annually. 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.

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 uschr@usc.edu . Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.