Senior Compensation Consultant | Chicago, IL

Senior Compensation Consultant | Chicago, IL

Location: Chicago, IL - Hybrid

Experience Level: Mid-Senior

Experience Required: 8+ Years

Job Function: Human Resources / Compensation Consulting

Industry: Insurance / Professional Services

Relocation Assistance: Not Available

Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Compensation Consultant to join a leading global Career Consulting team supporting organizations with complex compensation and workforce challenges.

This is a highly client‑facing consulting opportunity for a compensation subject matter expert who can lead sophisticated engagements, develop compensation strategies, advise senior HR and business leaders, and mentor consulting teams.

The ideal candidate brings 8+ years of compensation consulting or closely related HR advisory experience , strong analytical capabilities, excellent executive communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to manage complex client engagements from analysis through delivery.

This role is based in Chicago, IL and requires a hybrid schedule of at least three days per week in the Chicago office or with clients. Relocation assistance is not available.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and manage large-scale compensation consulting engagements from project planning through delivery.
• Structure, direct, review, and interpret analyses performed by project teams.
• Develop compensation strategies, philosophies, structures, and programs aligned with clients' business and talent objectives.
• Advise senior HR leaders and executives on compensation strategy, market competitiveness, pay structures, job architecture, and related workforce issues.
• Lead compensation market analysis, benchmarking, and data-driven recommendations.
• Support the design and implementation of compensation programs, including incentive and reward structures.
• Provide consulting guidance on job architecture and the digital activation of compensation designs.
• Manage day-to-day client relationships and serve as a trusted compensation advisor.
• Present complex compensation analyses and recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Coach and provide oversight to junior consultants, ensuring high-quality project deliverables.
• Manage multiple complex engagements while maintaining quality, timelines, and client satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and contribute to business development and cross‑selling activities.
• Stay current with developments in compensation practices, technology, analytics, and AI-enabled compensation solutions.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field .
• 8+ years of experience in compensation consulting, compensation advisory, or closely related HR consulting.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex compensation projects and client engagements.
• Deep knowledge of compensation strategy, market analysis, pay structures, job architecture, and compensation program design.
• Experience advising senior HR leaders, executives, or other senior client stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate compensation data into practical business recommendations.
• Excellent client relationship management, presentation, communication, and influencing skills.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or coaching junior team members.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint .
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a consulting environment.
• Intellectual curiosity and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting global or multinational organizations with complex compensation needs.
• Experience with incentive plan design and/or broader rewards strategy.
• Familiarity with compensation management, survey, benchmarking, or job architecture technology.
• Experience with AI-enabled compensation or HR technology.
• Demonstrated participation in business development, client expansion, or cross‑selling .
• Experience developing compensation thought leadership, methodologies, or innovative client solutions.

Important Requirements

• Candidates must currently be based in the Chicago, IL area and be able to meet the required hybrid schedule.
• The role requires a minimum of three days per week in the Chicago office or with clients .
• Relocation assistance is not available.
• Visa sponsorship is not available.
• Candidates must already have permanent, unrestricted authorization to work in the United States and must not require current or future visa sponsorship.

Compensation

$110,000-$200,000+

Compensation is open and will be determined based on the candidate's experience, skills, market value, and overall fit.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss their expected base salary and total compensation during the initial screening process.

Why This Opportunity

• Lead sophisticated compensation engagements with senior-level client stakeholders.
• Advise organizations on complex compensation and workforce strategy challenges.
• Work alongside experienced compensation and career consulting professionals.
• Develop deeper expertise across compensation strategy, analytics, technology, and emerging AI-enabled solutions.
• Contribute to client growth, business development, and innovative consulting solutions.
• Access strong professional development and career growth opportunities.

Key Areas of Expertise

• Compensation Consulting
• Compensation Strategy
• Total Rewards
• Job Architecture
• Market Pricing
• Compensation Benchmarking
• Pay Strategy
• Incentive Design
• Compensation Analytics
• Rewards Consulting
• HR Advisory
• Executive Compensation
• Compensation Technology
• Workforce Strategy