Compensation Senior Associate

Grant Thornton•Chicago, IL

2d•$88,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Compensation Senior Associate supports the design, administration, and evaluation of compensation programs through data-driven analysis and market insights. The role partners with HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and business leaders to provide compensation recommendations, conduct market benchmarking, support annual compensation planning, and help ensure pay practices are competitive, equitable, and aligned with organizational objectives. The position involves compensation analysis, market pricing, compensation survey management, reporting and analytics, pay equity analysis, administration of base pay and incentive programs, and support for annual merit, bonus, and incentive planning. It also provides compensation guidance to HR and business leaders, helps ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulations, and contributes to projects such as job architecture, market studies, process improvements, and system enhancements. This position follows Grant Thornton’s hybrid work model and requires in-person attendance at least three days per week at a Grant Thornton office or client site. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the applicable plan terms and eligibility criteria.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business, Economics, Statistics, or a related field.
3–5 years of experience in compensation, total rewards, workforce analytics, finance, or a related analytical function.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data visualization skills.
Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience with HRIS, compensation, and reporting tools.
Knowledge of compensation principles, market pricing, salary administration, and pay equity concepts.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while collaborating effectively across a matrixed organization.
Strong communication skills and ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations.

Responsibilities

Conduct compensation analyses to evaluate market competitiveness, internal equity, pay trends, and compensation program effectiveness.
Perform market pricing and benchmark positions using survey data and external labor market information.
Manage participation in third-party compensation surveys, including job matching, data submission, and results analysis.
Develop reports, dashboards, and analytics to support compensation decisions and leadership reporting.
Support pay equity analyses and identify opportunities to improve compensation outcomes.
Administer compensation programs, including base pay, incentive plans, salary structures, and job evaluations.
Support annual merit, bonus, and incentive planning processes, including budget modeling, communications, and reporting.
Partner with HR and business leaders to provide compensation guidance and recommendations.
Ensure compensation practices comply with company policies and applicable regulations.
Participate in compensation projects, including job architecture, market studies, process improvements, and system enhancements.