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Manager, Compensation

University of Southern California

The Manager, Compensation role at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County is a full‑time opportunity to lead the compensation function and ensure competitive, equitable pay practices across the campus.

About the Role

As part of USC’s Human Resources division, this position directs a team responsible for designing, administering, and communicating compensation programs for faculty and staff. The manager collaborates with university leaders to align pay strategies with institutional goals while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and internal regulations.

What You'll Do

  • Supervise daily operations of the compensation team, including workflow planning, performance coaching, and professional development.
  • Oversee the design and maintenance of salary structures, job grading systems, and incentive plans for all employee groups.
  • Conduct regular market pricing analyses and benchmark surveys to ensure USC’s compensation remains competitive within higher education and regional markets.
  • Administer annual merit increase cycles, promotion reviews, and equity adjustments, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
  • Provide expert guidance to HR business partners and department heads on compensation policies, job offers, and salary negotiations.
  • Monitor compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act, state wage laws, and university policies, preparing reports for audits and leadership review.
  • Lead special projects such as pay equity studies, executive compensation reviews, and compensation technology upgrades.

What We're Looking For

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree or certification (e.g., CCP, PHR, SHRM‑CP) preferred.
  • Minimum of five years of progressive compensation experience, with at least two years in a supervisory or team‑lead capacity.
  • Deep knowledge of compensation principles, job evaluation methodologies, and market pricing techniques.
  • Proven ability to manage end‑to‑end compensation processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
  • Strong analytical skills, proficiency with Excel and HRIS/workforce management systems (Workday, SAP, or similar).
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in compensation practices.

About University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a leading private research institution located in the heart of Los Angeles. With a vibrant academic community, USC is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, offering employees a dynamic environment to grow professionally while contributing to a globally recognized university.

How to Apply

To apply, complete your application directly on this page, or you'll be redirected to the employer's application platform to finish submitting there.

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Terms used in this posting

equity
Ownership stake in the company, usually in the form of stock options or RSUs, offered in addition to salary.

Working in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

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Los Angeles, also known as L.A., is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Southern California. With an estimated 3.87 million residents within the city limits as of 2025, it is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind New York City, and the largest city in the Western United States. The city has an ethnically and culturally diverse population, and it is the principal city of a metropolitan area of 12.9 million people (2024). Greater Los Angeles, a combined statistical area that includes the Los Angeles an

California is a U.S. state in the Western United States that lies on the Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, and Nevada and Arizona to the east; it also shares an international border with the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. With over 39 million residents across an area of 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2), it is the largest U.S. state by population and third-largest by

    Source: Wikipedia (state)

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