Demo

Principal Compensation Analyst

thrively
Santa Monica, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 6/20/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/18/2026

Principal Compensation Analyst:


Our client is seeking a Principal Compensation Analyst to serve as the organization's senior compensation expert during a pivotal business transformation. This is a principal-level individual contributor role with broad ownership across enterprise compensation strategy, executive compensation, sales compensation, and long-term incentive programs.


This is an opportunity for someone who wants to do more than administer compensation programs. You'll help shape the company's compensation philosophy, modernize sales incentive plans, advise executive leadership, and build scalable programs that support a high-growth, private equity-backed business.


What You'll Own

  • Lead the design and evolution of enterprise compensation programs, including base pay, annual incentives, sales compensation, and long-term incentives (LTI).
  • Develop and refine the organization's compensation philosophy and governance framework.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert and strategic advisor to HR leadership, Finance, and executive stakeholders.
  • Redesign and optimize sales compensation plans, partnering closely with Sales and Finance.
  • Lead annual compensation cycles, market benchmarking, promotions, and incentive planning.
  • Support compensation strategy related to organizational transformation, acquisitions, and integration activities.
  • Educate and enable HR business partners and leaders on compensation best practices and decision-making.


What We're Looking For

  • 8 years of progressive compensation experience with expertise in compensation strategy and program design.
  • Strong experience designing and managing sales compensation programs.
  • Experience supporting a private equity-backed, high-growth, or transformational organization.
  • Experience with executive compensation and long-term incentive programs.
  • Strong analytical, financial modeling, and executive communication skills.
  • Ability to operate as a strategic business partner while remaining hands-on in execution.


Why This Opportunity

This role functions much like a Head of Compensation without direct people management responsibilities. You'll have significant influence over the organization's compensation strategy while partnering closely with senior leadership to build scalable programs that drive business performance and long-term value creation.

Salary : $150,000 - $190,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Principal Compensation Analyst?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Principal Compensation Analyst career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$124,396 - $155,584
Income Estimation: 
$119,934 - $161,400
Income Estimation: 
$188,987 - $257,160
Income Estimation: 
$188,987 - $257,160
Income Estimation: 
$210,054 - $287,901
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Principal Compensation Analyst jobs in the Santa Monica, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Redolent, Inc Calabasas, CA
  • Hello, One of our direct client is urgently looking for a Compensation Analyst @ Calabasas, CA Job Title: Compensation Analyst Location: Calabasas, CA Dura... more
  • 27 Days Ago

  • SourcePro Search Los Angeles, CA
  • As the Compensation Analyst, you will be an integral part of a top-notch compensation team and a critical member of our overall Talent organization. You wi... more
  • 1 Month Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!