Senior Compensation Analyst

CTC Lateral - Website & LinkedIn•Chicago, IL

11d•$120,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting-edge trading technology. For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide - making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient. We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better. As CTC's Senior Compensation Analyst, you will oversee the compensation process from start to finish. This involves running the annual comp cycle, setting packages for new hires and internal moves, and leading market survey submissions. You'll report to our HCM Operations Lead, with a seat at the table for financial modeling and analysis, alongside finance and senior leadership. Over time, as you build experience and demonstrate you're ready, you'll take on more of that work directly. And at a firm our size, your scope will go beyond just comp: you’ll get exposure to other parts of HCM, shaped by your skills, your interests, and what the team needs.

Requirements

5+ years' experience in HR compensation. Prop trading, hedge fund, or financial services experience is helpful but not required. We're equally interested in candidates from adjacent analytical backgrounds (e.g., FP&A, business management) with a genuine interest in managing the comp process
Comfortable operating with senior leadership: someone who can navigate ambiguity, ask good questions, and build trust over time with executives and desk heads
Strong aptitude in building financial models and conducting scenario analysis, employing advanced Excel skills to help inform major compensation decisions with leaders
Proven ability to own and complete a process end to end, including under timeline pressure
High attention to detail and the discretion to always handle confidential comp data appropriately
Genuinely energized by variety and willing to jump into work outside comp when the group requires it
Experience analyzing benchmarking data to guide compensation decisions
A track record of building more effective and efficient processes; prior experience using AI for this is a plus, and genuine enthusiasm to leverage AI and automation is a must

Nice To Haves

Prop trading, hedge fund, or financial services experience is helpful but not required. We're equally interested in candidates from adjacent analytical backgrounds (e.g., FP&A, business management) with a genuine interest in managing the comp process
Prior experience using AI for process improvement is a plus

Responsibilities

Own execution of CTC's annual compensation cycle, including comp statements, comp tracker maintenance, and coordination across HCM, Finance, and business leaders
Own CTC's market pricing strategy, using benchmarking data and market judgment to help the firm make competitive, well-informed offers for new hires and employee moves
Lead CTC's participation in market surveys, such as McLagan, and maintain compensation benchmarking data
Partner with Finance to build bonus pool models and run scenario analysis, taking on more direct ownership as your trust and expertise grows
Own comp reporting and insights that support HCM and business leaders in decision-making, expanding into other HCM analytics and reporting needs during lower-volume periods
Conduct pay equity analysis to help ensure fairness across roles and responsibilities
Partner with HCM Practice Leaders (HR Generalists/Business Partners) to structure and process separation packages
Manage CTC’s other compensation programs, such as our 401(k) plan, deferred compensation, and long-term incentive awards
Lead the development and implementation of process and tool enhancements that improve and scale our comp function
Partner with firm leaders to help managers and employees understand CTC's compensation philosophy and how it's applied
Learn CTC's bonus pool sizing and modeling process alongside our Finance team, with increasing involvement as your comfort and track record grow