Senior Compensation Consultant

Seattle Human Resources endeavors to promote an equitable and engaging work environment so employees can do their best work and make a difference for the people and communities we serve. The Department focuses on providing high-quality services to all City employees and departments and works collaboratively with department leaders to align policies, practices, and programs citywide to fulfill the vision of workforce equity and excellence.?

As part of this mission, the Compensation & Classification unit administers the Citywide job classification and compensation programs for approximately 12,500 regular employees and more than 1,200 job classifications. This work champions internal and external equity by taking meaningful steps to ensure that similar bodies of work and levels of responsibility are paid similarly across all City departments, and that all positions are compensated fairly and competitively in the market. We are looking for a Senior Compensation Consultant to support these goals.

In this role, you will act as the City’s sole internal technical subject matter expert for employee compensation. You will lead the design and administration of the City’s market salary data strategy, act as the seniormost consultant within the City’s centralized Compensation and Classification team, and support the development and maintenance of Citywide compensation programs in a fast-paced, matrix team environment.

Your top 3 priorities in this role will be:

• Market Data Strategy:
  • Leading the design, administration, and communication of the City’s market data strategy and systems to support externally competitive pay for the full scope of the City’s classification titles and pay programs
  • Designing and administering the City’s salary survey strategy
  • Designing and supporting the City’s market data funnel to support accurate and updated market ranges, including identifying and selecting the tools and systems to use for this work
  • Organizing market data and updating it on a regular schedule to ensure the City’s pay rates accurately reflect external markets 
  • Maintaining a Citywide market ratio tracking and reporting system
• Compensation Consulting:
  • Conducting ad hoc salary studies as necessary and preparing reports for leadership detailing defensible justifications for pay rate and pay range decisions 
  • Leading the development of salary structures and pay ranges for classification titles through effective market pricing and compensation analyses to balance external competitiveness, internal alignment, and Citywide pay equity
  • Leading compensation-specific projects and supporting multi-functional projects, including determining scope and tasks, reviewing and approving work products of external consultants, supporting labor negotiations, and developing compensation modeling
  • Leading the compensation analysis work of internal Comp/Class consultants
• Citywide Compensation Program Support:   
  • Evaluating the overall performance of the City’s compensation programs (e.g., external competitiveness and internal equity)
  • Designing, implementing, communicating, and evaluating compensation processes and program improvements 
  • Developing and maintaining Citywide compensation structures, including grade structures, compensation structures, and salary schedules
  • Acting as the owner of Citywide compensation systems and tools (e.g., CompAnalyst), including advising on compensation tool selection, tool setup and configuration, designing processes, providing training, and acting as an escalation point for Citywide compensation tool use
  • Developing and delivering presentations for legislation, including answering questions to defend compensation recommendations
     

You will be most successful in this role with a combination of the following:

• Experience in:
  • Compensation analysis, including market pricing, salary survey interpretation, performing salary studies, and developing pay ranges
  • Leading the development and maintenance of compensation programs at medium-to-large-sized organizations
  • Making formal pay grade recommendations for titles across an organization
  • Monitoring legal changes that impact compensation, such as changes to minimum wage and overtime eligibility thresholds
  • Working in a unionized environment, including supporting labor negotiations by providing pay band recommendations for titles in bargaining 
  • Managing and executing project plans, particularly leading projects with moderate resource requirements, risk, and/or complexity 
  • Performing compensation analysis for a wide variety of industries and professions  
• Skills or Certification in:
  • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
  • Data communication
  • Data management
  • Process development 
  • Project management
  • Attention to detail
  • Interpersonal and collaboration skills 
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
  • Working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
  • Market data, compensation management, and compensation modeling software skills, preferably CompAnalyst
• The ability to:
  • Effectively present market data analyses and pay range justifications to non-expert audiences verbally, through written deliverables, and with data visualizations 
  • Create sound, defensible, public-facing documents 
  • Complete projects in matrix environments with close coordination of deliverables 
  • Perform compensation analysis for a wide variety of industries and professions, particularly public safety, utilities, engineering, finance, behavioral health, transportation, education, and others
  • Stay on task, meet deadlines, and communicate proactively 

In addition to the ability to perform the tasks described above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications:

OR

OR

This civil-service position is eligible for overtime and is classified as a Personnel Analyst, Senior-Compensation and reports to the Compensation Program Manager. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $55.19 - $64.25 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the step progression series, which is $55.19 per hour. Current City employees’ starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules. 

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30. Second interviews are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2026.   

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office twice a week. Tuesdays are currently an in-office day for the team. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor. 

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits. Please select an option under the “Most Employee Benefits” heading.

Why work at the City? 

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused – while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle’s Application and Interviewing Tips Guide, which may be used as a resource as you prepare to apply and interview for positions with the City of Seattle. 

This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.