Principal Compensation Partner

Checkr • Denver, CO

1d • $181,000 - $213,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Checkr is seeking a senior individual contributor and trusted advisor in compensation and total rewards. The role partners with executives and cross-functional teams to plan, build, communicate, and administer compensation programs that support the company’s strategy, including short- and long-term incentives, reward and recognition, benchmarking, and survey analysis. This is a builder’s role with ownership over how Checkr’s compensation approach evolves as the company grows. The position reports to the VP of Total Rewards and People Ops and follows a hybrid schedule based in Denver.

The Principal Compensation Partner advises senior leaders on compensation strategy and decisions; owns compensation and rewards strategy, guidelines, and programs; and evaluates how cash, equity, benefits, 401(k), leave, and recognition work together. The role develops data-driven solutions, builds models and conducts analysis, uses AI and automation to scale operations, and leads job architecture, market pricing, benchmarking, and survey processes. It also creates program documentation, leads change management and education, supports executive compensation decisions, partners across the company to deliver programs and advance pay equity and transparency, and mentors partners and leads projects.

Requirements

• 8–10+ years of compensation experience partnering with leaders and stakeholders on compensation recommendations and decisions.
• Strong command of compensation fundamentals, including job architecture and leveling, job evaluation methodologies, market pricing, equity mechanics, bonus, incentive and commission plan design, compensation structures, pay ranges, testing, auditing, and reporting.
• Experience designing and implementing compensation programs, including salary structures, bonus programs, and long-term incentive programs.
• Expertise in compensation benchmarking and survey methodology.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate data and trends into clear insights and recommendations.
• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate complex topics clearly and influence decisions without direct authority.
• Working knowledge of stock administration, payroll, benefits, and 401(k) programs.
• Experience administering equity programs in a pre-IPO stage.
• Ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects, meet deadlines, and maintain strong attention to detail and organization.
• Passion for educating and mentoring partners on the values and business impact behind compensation strategy.
• Bias for action, resilience through ambiguity, ownership, and commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a fast-growing, global technology company.
• Experience with self-funded health plans, such as plan cost modeling, stop-loss, or working with a TPA or broker.
• Experience building compensation programs from the ground up in a high-growth, hyper-scaling environment.
• Experience leading compensation initiatives in a matrix-led organization.
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions, including compensation harmonization and integration.
• Experience with sales compensation.
• Experience supporting Compensation Committee reporting.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or another Total Rewards certification.
• Familiarity with talent acquisition strategy and how it connects to offer and pay decisions, and with global, multi-country pay structures.
• Comfort with Excel, Google Suite, and AI tools such as Claude and Lovable.

Responsibilities

• Advise executives, directors, senior HR leaders, and Talent Acquisition on compensation strategies, calibration sessions, offers, and complex pay decisions.
• Develop and maintain compensation and rewards strategy and guidelines, and serve as a subject-matter expert on performance reviews, pay equity, compensation guidelines, job families, annual salary reviews, and equity refresh programs.
• Evaluate how cash, equity, benefits, 401(k), leave, and recognition programs fit together and identify ways to strengthen the total rewards offering.
• Develop creative, data-driven solutions to complex compensation challenges while balancing competitiveness, equity, risk, and reward.
• Build compensation models, conduct statistical analysis, assess market competitiveness, and model alternatives to inform decisions.
• Partner with Total Rewards and People Ops technology teams to implement AI- and automation-enabled tools that improve efficiency, operational excellence, and insight.
• Lead job evaluation, leveling, market pricing across job families and levels, compensation survey participation, annual benchmarking, and market research reviews.
• Create policy and program documentation, lead change management, and educate managers and employees on compensation philosophy, job descriptions, and leveling.
• Support executive compensation and provide leadership with insight on executive pay decisions.
• Work with Total Rewards, Stock Administration, Finance, Legal, and third-party vendors to deliver programs accurately and on time, and support pay equity and pay transparency efforts.
• Mentor teammates and partners on the business impact of compensation decisions and lead HR and compensation projects, studies, and analyses.
• Identify skill gaps, propose solutions proactively, and exercise judgment about when to move quickly or proceed cautiously.

Benefits

• Learning and development allowance.
• Competitive cash and equity compensation, with opportunity for advancement.
• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Up to $25K reimbursement for fertility, adoption, and parental planning services.
• Flexible PTO policy.
• Monthly wellness stipend.
• In-office perks including lunch five times a week, a commuter stipend, and snacks and beverages.
• Relocation stipend may be available for those willing to relocate to a Checkr hub location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: No Education Listed