Compensation Associate

Compensation Associate Location: New York City (Onsite 4-5 Days per Week) Reports To: Head of Total Rewards About the Role We are seeking a highly motivated and analytical Compensation Associate to join our growing Total Rewards team in New York City. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious compensation professional with 2-6 years of experience to gain broad exposure across compensation strategy, annual compensation processes, compensation analytics, executive reporting, and business partnership within a dynamic financial services environment. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance culture , enjoys solving complex problems, and is comfortable operating in an environment where priorities evolve quickly. This individual will work directly with the Head of Total Rewards and play a key role in supporting compensation programs that attract, retain, and motivate top talent. We are looking for someone who combines strong analytical capabilities with a hands-on approach, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and the ability to execute with urgency and precision. Key Responsibilities Support the design, administration, and execution of compensation programs across the firm. Participate in annual compensation cycles, including salary reviews, incentive planning, bonus allocations, and promotion processes. Conduct market benchmarking and competitive compensation analyses using survey data and market intelligence. Analyze compensation trends, pay positioning, and workforce data to provide actionable insights and recommendations. Develop financial models and compensation analyses to support business leaders and senior management decision-making. Prepare presentations, reports, and executive-level materials related to compensation programs and workforce planning. Partner closely with Human Resources, Finance, and business stakeholders on compensation-related initiatives. Maintain compensation structures, job architecture, and pay governance frameworks. Support regulatory, audit, and compliance requirements related to compensation practices. Assist in the evaluation of new compensation programs, policies, and strategic Total Rewards initiatives. Ensure data accuracy and integrity across HRIS and compensation systems. Respond to compensation-related inquiries while exercising a high degree of discretion and confidentiality. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Economics, Business, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field. 2-6 years of compensation experience , preferably within financial services, professional services, investment management, banking, private equity, hedge funds, or other highly analytical environments. Strong quantitative and analytical skills with the ability to interpret and synthesize complex data. Advanced Excel skills, including financial modeling, data manipulation, and scenario analysis. Experience working with compensation surveys and market benchmarking tools. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Experience with HRIS and compensation management systems preferred. What We're Looking For Beyond technical compensation expertise, we're looking for an individual who embodies the following traits: Self-starter: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives work forward independently. Grit and resilience: Demonstrates persistence and ownership when navigating challenges and tight timelines. High-caliber talent: Brings a strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to excellence. Thrives in ambiguity: Comfortable operating in a fast-changing environment where not every process is fully defined. High pace orientation: Excels in dynamic environments with multiple competing priorities. Strong business acumen: Understands the connection between compensation decisions, talent outcomes, and business performance. Collaborative mindset: Builds effective relationships across levels and functions while maintaining accountability for results.