Senior Compensation Specialist

Are you looking for more than just a job and do you want to make a difference? If so, then join the National Student Clearinghouse talent community and discover your impact today!

We are a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization and the leading provider of educational reporting, data exchange, verification, and research services. Serving the education, workforce and learner communities has been at the heart of our mission for over 30 years. Our work - performed in a trusted, secure, and private environment - provides numerous time- and cost-saving benefits to students, schools, administrators, and requestors. Education leaders rely on the Clearinghouse's unique national student data resources to better understand student pathways and outcomes in order to help students succeed, and our research better informs practitioners and policymakers about student educational pathways and enables informed decision making.

The Senior Specialist, Total Rewards (Compensation) will be an integral team member of the Human Resources Total Rewards function. The role will be pivotal in supporting the company's total reward strategy and specifically, as it relates to designing, implementing, and managing the compensation and reward programs and strategies within our organization. In concert with the Head of Total Rewards, the Senior Specialist, Total Rewards (Compensation) will work closely with HR leadership, all levels of management, and other stakeholders to ensure that our compensation practices align with the company's goals, industry standards, and best practices. The role will be responsible for conducting comprehensive analyses of compensation data and best practices, providing solutions-oriented recommendations, consulting and collaborating with cross-functional team members to make informed, sound decisions related to compensation practices. As a subject matter expert, this role will contribute to building the employee value proposition in attracting, retaining, and motivating a high-performing workforce while ensuring competitiveness, fairness, and equity across the organization.

Currently, this is a remote-first position, and this position may be required to periodically work on-site at our office and the frequency would depend on the department/division's requirements. Therefore, candidates must reside within a reasonable distance to commute to our office when required.

• Demonstrate the Clearinghouse's core competencies: Customer Focus, Optimizes Work Processes, Collaborates, Communicates Effectively, and Be Open and Authentic.
• Compensation Strategy Development and Framework Design: In partnership with the Head of Total Rewards, develop and implement the company's compensation strategy and framework, taking into consideration market trends, industry benchmarks, which supports the Total Rewards Strategy and aligns to the organization's values, goals, and objectives. Provide insights on compensation trends and recommend adjustments as necessary to attract and retain top talent.
• Compensation Guidelines and Policy Development: In partnership with the Head of Total Rewards, create and update compensation policies and guidelines that adhere to legal and regulatory requirements while supporting the organization's values and goals.
• Compensation Administration: Establish and lead the compensation planning process to include establishing a regular, standard cadence and methodology of conducting market review through reliable survey sources and market tools, benchmarking of jobs and compensation programs against industry peers and competitors. Collect, analyze, and interpret compensation data to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness. Establish and maintain a clear and competitive salary structure and pay grades, ensuring consistency and fairness across roles and levels.
• Job Evaluation and Classification: Lead and conduct thorough job analysis and evaluation process to determine appropriate job classifications, salary bands, and compensation levels for all jobs within the organization. Establish and maintain clear categorization of the company's library of jobs and all related elements to include FLSA and EEO designations that support and promote progression and growth. Partner with HR Business Partner and business leaders to create and maintain job descriptions within standard templates.
• Compensation and Incentive Programs: Lead and coordinate the annual compensation and merit review process. In partnership with Finance and Legal, support and manage incentive programs, including bonus plans, commission structures, and other variable pay programs, in alignment with performance and business outcomes. Regularly, evaluate, design, and implement compensation programs, incentive structures, and bonus plans to motivate and reward employees effectively.
• Consultation, Communications, Training: Advise HR business partner, recruiters, managers, and executives on compensation-related matters, including job offers, promotions, salary adjustments, and other compensation-related decisions. Provide training on compensation best practices and guidelines. Develop communication strategies to effectively convey compensation information to employees and managers, promoting transparency and understanding of the compensation programs.
• Compliance and Transparency: Stay updated on federal and state labor laws, regulations, and compliance requirements related to compensation practices to include DOL's Wage and Hour, FLSA and overtime designation. Ensure all compensation programs are in line with regulatory guidelines, to include Pay Transparency and Pay Equity. Support any regulatory reporting, filings, and compliance audits, as needed.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement opportunities to enhance compensation programs, workflows, and processes for better efficiency and effectiveness. Optimize and leverage the HRIS and various tools to improve and enhance the employee/manager experience.
• Build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions.
• Seek the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Develop and deliver multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Step up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. Gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Actively seek new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.

Position may be required to perform other duties as required. These essential functions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Bachelors degree. A combination of education and experience including military service will also be considered.
• 6 years of direct progressive experience in compensation and/or total rewards, with demonstrated progression in responsibilities.
• Demonstrated strong understanding of compensation principles, market trends, and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and train on compensation related topics and concepts to managers and employees.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and/or administer compensation programs e.g., annual merit process and performance reviews, variable pay plans.
• Excellent analytical skills, ability to interpret complex data and make recommendations.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using:
  
  
  
  • Salary surveys to the extent of participating and interpreting market data and analysis
  • Compensation analysis tools, HRIS
  • Microsoft Excel (array formulas, pivot tables, conditional formatting)
  
  
  
  
• Knowledge of federal and state labor, employment laws, to include but not limited to Equal Employment Opportunity, OFCCP, Wage and Hour, Pay Transparency, Pay Equity regulatory requirements.
• Strong:
  
  
  
  • Judgement and demonstrated ability to make sound, fact-based decisions.
  • Attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to analyze data.
  • Project management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
  • Planning and organizational skills; sense of urgency, ability to create a sense of urgency in others, and the ability to thrive under pressure.
  
  
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to:
  
  
  
  • Work independently with minimal supervision and perform in a leadership role.
  • Effectively work, collaborate, and influence with all levels of staff, and work on a team and across organizational boundaries.
  • Have the composure and confidentiality required to handle sensitive HR and all related compensation matters.
  
  
  
  
• Personable, professional, a positive attitude with high emotional and intellectual intelligence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other collaboration tools.
• Demonstrates the Clearinghouse's core competencies: customer focus, optimizes work processes, communicates effectively, collaborates, and is open and authentic.
• Must live within a commutable distance to Herndon, VA.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We do not intend to sponsor external applicants for work visas, and may consider sponsorship only if no qualified candidates can be found who are authorized to work without sponsorship.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree or relevant certification (e.g., Certified Compensation Professional) is a plus.
• Experience in Benefits Administration (H&W, retirement, income protection, voluntary benefits, leave) is a plus.
• Experience with HRIS system such as UKG, Workday, etc.
• Experience with market pricing data tools such as CompAnalyst, Pay Factor, Market Pay, iMercer is a plus.

• Use of a computer for 8 or more hours a day.
• Use of a telephone and/or copy machine.
• Frequently required to sit for 7 or more hours per day.
• Occasionally required to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, and reach.
• Vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Travel via car, train, and airplane when needed.

The National Student Clearinghouse provides a robust benefit program designed to help meet the needs of each employee and their family, both now and in the future. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance benefits, for employees and their qualified dependents. Health care, dependent care, and limited purpose flexible spending accounts, as well as a health savings account, are options available for employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars for certain qualifying expenses. We offer a very generous 401k matching contribution program with the opportunity to defer pre-tax and Roth contributions, as well as catch-up contributions for those who are eligible! We are proud to offer a competitive paid leave program consisting of vacation, sick, and personal time, as well as paid holidays, up to 3 weeks of paid parental leave during a 12-month period, and up to 5 days of paid military leave per calendar year. Vacation time will accrue based on length of service, and new full-time hires can accrue up to 13 days of vacation and up to 10 days of sick time per year. On an annual basis, new employees may use up to 32 hours of accrued sick time as personal time. Additionally, the Clearinghouse observes at least 11 paid holidays per year.

Another perk is that employees have the option to get reimbursed for basic wholesale company and roadside assistance memberships (e.g., Costco and AAA) and to request a buy back on portions of unused accrued vacation based on tenure and certain other qualifications. Employees can further their education and professional development by using our Employee Education Assistance Program, which establishes reimbursement for qualified education expenses upon successful completion of the program, and leveraging the enterprise-wide LinkedIn Learning subscription. There are additional employee benefits too, including but not limited to, mental health and well-being benefits. To find out more, please request a copy of our Benefits at a Glance!

Additionally, we reasonably believe that the salary range for this position is between $119,000 - $125,000.

The pay range listed above represents a general guideline and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, and the National Student Clearinghouse considers a number of factors when determining base pay for offers, which include but are not limited to, responsibilities and scope of the job and the candidate's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Internal Candidates: If you feel that you qualify and meet the requirements of the job, we highly encourage you to apply and focus on preparing for the application process. Once the final candidates are selected, they can anticipate a review of the compensation prior to any offer made.

This job announcement was posted to the National Student Clearinghouse's Careers site at www.studentclearinghouse.org/careers on 7/18/2025 and the online application period will be open for at least 3 days. A completed online application is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities: The National Student Clearinghouse is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status (or known to have a spousal, family, business, social or other relationship or association with a protected veteran), sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, natural hairstyle, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

Pay Transparency Notice: The National Student Clearinghouse is a federal contractor that abides by all applicable equal opportunity laws and regulations. Under these laws, companies doing business with the federal government must provide applicants and employees with certain policies, including the following information. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)