Senior Compensation Specialist

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with our client, a leading trading firm, on the search for a Senior Compensation Specialist to join their team in Chicago. This is an opportunity to take ownership of the compensation function within a highly analytical, fast-paced financial services environment, with significant exposure to Finance and senior leadership.

The Senior Compensation Specialist will oversee the compensation process from end to end, including the annual compensation cycle, market benchmarking, compensation programs, and reporting. This individual will also partner closely with Finance on bonus pool modeling and scenario analysis, with the opportunity to take on increasing ownership of financial analysis over time.

What You'll Do

• Own the execution of the annual compensation cycle, including compensation statements, tracking, and coordination across HCM, Finance, and business leadership
• Manage market pricing and benchmarking efforts to support competitive compensation decisions for new hires and internal moves
• Lead participation in compensation surveys and maintain compensation benchmarking data
• Partner with Finance on bonus pool modeling, financial modeling, and scenario analysis
• Develop compensation reporting and insights to support HCM and business leaders in decision-making
• Conduct pay equity analysis across roles and responsibilities
• Partner with HCM Practice Leaders on separation packages and related compensation matters
• Manage additional compensation programs, including 401(k), deferred compensation, and long-term incentive awards
• Partner with firm leaders to help managers and employees understand the firm's compensation philosophy and how it is applied
• Identify and implement process, technology, automation, and AI enhancements to improve and scale the compensation function
• Support broader HCM analytics and reporting initiatives as needed
• Take on increasing ownership of bonus pool sizing and financial analysis as expertise and experience grow

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in compensation, HR analytics, FP&A, business management, or a related analytical function
• Financial services experience strongly preferred, particularly within trading, hedge funds, private equity, investment banking, asset management, or similar environments
• Experience working with compensation benchmarking and market data
• Strong financial modeling and scenario analysis skills with advanced Excel proficiency
• Comfortable partnering with senior leadership and navigating a fast-paced, high-performance environment
• Proven ability to own processes end to end and deliver under tight timelines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
• High level of discretion when handling confidential compensation information
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A track record of improving processes and building more efficient, scalable solutions
• Genuine interest in leveraging AI and automation to improve processes; prior experience is a plus
• Adaptable and willing to contribute across the broader HCM function as needed

The Equus Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.