Compensation Manager

About Us

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 600+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place to Work® (https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7038363) certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

About The Role

Rincon Consultants is seeking a Compensation Manager to lead and advance our compensation programs while providing oversight of our employee benefits programs. Compensation is the primary focus of this role, including market analysis, salary structures, job architecture, pay equity, compensation planning, and advising leaders on pay decisions.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced compensation professional who combines strong analytical capabilities with practical business judgment. You’ll partner closely with executive leadership, People & Culture, Finance, and business leaders to ensure our compensation and benefits programs are competitive, equitable, financially sustainable, and aligned with Rincon’s continued growth.

What Sets You Apart

• Compensation is your core area of expertise

• You have hands-on experience with market pricing, salary structures, job architecture, pay equity, and compensation analytics

• You can translate complex market data into practical recommendations for leaders

• You balance strategic thinking with hands on execution

• You also understand benefits strategy and are comfortable overseeing brokers, vendors, renewals, and benefit programs

Why This Role Matters

As Rincon grows, sophisticated compensation practices are increasingly important to attracting and retaining talent, maintaining internal equity, recognizing performance, and making disciplined pay decisions. You will serve as Rincon’s subject matter expert and primary advisor on compensation, while also providing leadership for our health, retirement, and wellness programs.

How We Collaborate

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner across the organization, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, and San Jose (Please note: While this role's location is listed as a single location, we encourage you to apply if you reside in or near any of the CA locations listed above.)

What You'll Do

Compensation Strategy & Programs

• Lead compensation strategy, market pricing, benchmarking, and competitive positioning

• Manage salary structures, job architecture, job leveling, and pay practices

• Lead pay equity and internal equity analyses

• Lead annual and off cycle compensation planning processes

• Advise executives and leaders on compensation decisions

• Develop compensation analytics and models to support business decisions

Incentive & Recognition Programs

• Oversee bonus, incentive, and recognition programs

• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements

Benefits Strategy & Administration

• Oversee health, retirement, wellness, and related benefit programs

• Lead annual renewals and partner with brokers and vendors on plan strategy, administration, and cost management

Analytics, Compliance & Governance

• Analyze compensation competitiveness, benefit utilization, program costs, and trends

• Ensure compliance with applicable compensation, benefits, pay transparency, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA requirements

• Support audits, reporting, documentation, and program governance

What You'll Bring

• 10+years of progressive compensation and total rewards experience, including significant direct responsibility for compensation programs

• Demonstrated expertise in market pricing, benchmarking, salary structures, job architecture, pay equity, and compensation analytics

• Experience leading compensation planning and advising leaders on pay decisions

• Working knowledge of benefits strategy and administration, including renewals and vendor relationships

• Strong analytical, communication, and consultation skills

• Experience with HRIS, compensation survey tools, and data analysis

• Professional services or consulting experience preferred

• CCP strongly preferred; CBP, CEBS, or related credentials are a plus

Investing in You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $130,000–$150,000 , plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page (https://www.rinconconsultants.com/our-culture/) .

Additional Employment Information

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, family care, marital status, military and veteran or qualified disabled veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. Rincon Consultants, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify Program to ensure that all employees hired are legally able to work in the United States.