: Principal Compensation Consultant
Location: Houston, TX
Schedule: Full-time Hybrid Minimum 3 Days In-Office or With Clients
Salary: $130,000 $200,000/yr
Experience: 8+ years compensation consulting experience
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance, or related field
Compensation Strategy Subject Matter Expertise Required
Business Development & New Client Acquisition Experience Required
Central Texas Recruiting is seeking a Principal Compensation Consultant to lead sophisticated compensation consulting engagements and advise senior management and HR leaders on compensation strategy, job architecture, incentive design, market analysis, and technology-enabled solutions. This senior consulting role combines deep compensation expertise with client leadership, team development, and direct responsibility for generating and winning new business.
Key Responsibilities
Structure, direct, review, and interpret analyses performed by project teams
Develop compensation strategies, philosophies, and programs addressing attraction and retention needs
Advise senior management on pay strategy, competitiveness, job architecture, and compensation solutions
Lead multiple large-scale projects and complex client engagements
Manage day-to-day client interactions and build strong senior-level relationships
Guide and coach junior team members while ensuring quality deliverables
Identify and develop new client opportunities
Lead generation and qualification activities
Manage the sales process from prospecting through closing
Develop proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs)
Negotiate commercial terms and acquire new business
Expand existing engagements and identify cross-selling opportunities
Utilize compensation technology, analytics, and AI-enabled tools
Qualifications & Requirements:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance, or related field
8+ years of compensation consulting experience with demonstrated subject matter expertise
Proven ability to manage multiple large-scale projects and complex client engagements
Deep knowledge of compensation strategy and compensation-related technology
Strong incentive plan design and market analysis experience
Knowledge of regulatory compliance related to compensation
Demonstrated business development, lead generation, and new-client acquisition experience
Experience developing proposals and Statements of Work
Contract negotiation and sales-cycle management experience
Strong client relationship management skills with experience advising senior executives
Excellent communication, presentation, leadership, and coaching skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
Intellectual curiosity and proactive problem-solving abilities
Strongly Preferred:
Experience leading engagements for global organizations with complex compensation challenges
Demonstrated success leading or supporting business development activities
Advanced analytical skills
Experience with compensation management and survey management tools
Familiarity with AI-enabled compensation tools or agents
Experience developing innovative solutions or thought leadership content
