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® 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 $150,000–$175,000 , 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 .

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 does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.