Description
Job Description
POSITION: Director of Compensation
REPORTS TO: Managing Director of Human Resources
POSITION TYPE: 12-month (year-round)
START DATE: Immediate
COMPENSATION: $99,291 - $121,632, Home Office Grade 10
At YES Prep, work for a mission that impacts the life trajectory of students and their families. YES Prep creates pathways to extraordinary opportunity through best-in-class development, competitive compensation and benefits, and recognition for your impact. Grow as an authentic leader and be part of a high-performing, team-oriented culture.
Some quick stats about us:
21,000+ Students
2,400 Team Members
16 Secondary Campuses
11 Elementary Campuses
92% Students Who Qualify for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch
96% Hispanic & African-American Students
90% Students Who Are Accepted to a 4-Year University
88% First-Generation College Students
Ranked in the Top 100 High Schools in the Nation, U.S. News & World Report
We serve the students of Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city across the United States. There are over 20 public-school districts and other great public charter school options within Houston’s city limits serving our increasing population. We are a rapidly growing organization, committed to creating life-changing opportunities for over 23,000 students by 2025.
THE OPPORTUNITY
YES Prep needs a dynamic Director of Compensation with a robust set of experiences, to make our mission a reality. As a YES Prep employee, you will achieve jaw-dropping results, create pathways to opportunity for our students, and build transformative relationships.
To put it simply, you will lead the design, implementation, and administration of YES Prep’s compensation programs to ensure market competitiveness, internal equity, and alignment with our mission to empower every student to succeed. This role provides strategic leadership in compensation philosophy, oversees accurate pay administration, partners with leaders on compensation decisions, and ensures compliance with all wage and hour regulations.
THE ROLE
When you join the YES Prep team, some of the work and responsibilities will include:
Compensation Strategy & Design
Leading the development and execution of YES Prep’s compensation philosophy and strategy to attract, retain, and reward top talent;
Partnering with the Managing Director of Human Resources to spearhead the design and implementation of a long-term, strategic compensation structure for teachers and leaders that balances competitiveness, equity, fiscal sustainability, and alignment with YES Prep’s mission;
Conducting annual market analyses and internal equity reviews and recommending salary structure adjustments to maintain competitiveness;
Partnering with senior leaders and staffing team on compensation-related decisions to ensure fairness, alignment, and fiscal responsibility.
Compensation Administration & Compliance
Overseeing accurate and timely processing of all pay-related actions, including salary adjustments, stipends, and bonuses;
Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, maintaining zero payroll-impacting errors due to compensation data;
Developing and implementing compensation policies, procedures, and communication strategies for clarity and consistency.
Annual Compensation Cycle Leadership
Planning and managing the annual compensation review process, including end of year increases, stipends, and bonus programs;
Driving 100% on-time completion of all compensation cycle activities;
Partnering with Finance and Talent leaders to align cycle planning with budget priorities.
Capacity Building for Leaders & HR Partners
Delivering training and resources to strengthen leaders’ and HR partners’ understanding of pay structures, equity, and decision-making;
Providing ongoing coaching and consultation to ensure consistent and fair application of compensation practices across the system.
Data, Insights & Reporting
Developing and maintaining compensation dashboard with quarterly updates on market position, equity trends, and turnover risks related to pay;
Presenting insights and recommendations to senior leadership during budget strategics, with actionable strategies to improve retention and equity.
Team Leadership
Leading, coaching, and developing the compensation team by providing clear goals, regular feedback, and professional development opportunities;
Ensuring 100% of team members meet or exceed performance expectations and report high engagement on staff surveys.
Additional duties as assigned.
THE PERSON
We seek staff with a multitude of backgrounds, talents, interests, and ideas. Certain traits consistently shine through our most successful employees: passion for the mission, drive for results, care for students, and resilience. Other traits needed and desired for this role are:
THE MUST HAVES
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
5+ years of progressive compensation or finance experience, including leadership responsibility.
Deep knowledge of compensation design, pay equity, market analysis, and federal/state wage and hour regulations.
Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations.
Proven experience building trust and credibility with senior leaders, HR partners, and staff.
Exceptional communication, facilitation, and change management skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a high-performing team.
Ability to work outside of normal hours and on weekends
Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
Creates and maintains positive working relationships on a team and/or in a highly collaborative environment
A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional
THE MUST HAVE BELIEFS
Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of YES Prep Public Schools
Desire to disrupt systemic status quos in education
Willingness to go above and beyond to disrupt said status quos
Passion to develop resiliency through a relentless pursuit of jaw-dropping results
Conviction that high expectations + high accountability = high performance and high growth
THE NICE TO HAVES
Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or equivalent certification
THE PERKS
Compensation – This position is an exempt, salaried position; offers commensurate with experience.
Health and Supplemental Insurance – A $0 monthly medical option or a $24 monthly option that includes $50 YES Prep Paid Health Savings Account contribution, in addition to a variety of supplemental benefits including Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, etc. Employees must work 20+ hours a week to be eligible for a full spectrum of benefits, and 10 hours a week minimum for medical benefits.
Retirement Plans – Participation in Teacher Retirement System of Texas and an optional 457b Retirement Plan.
Paid Time Off – Employees working 20+ hours a week receive 15 days of Paid Time Off in addition to the system closures during the Academic Calendar .
Paid Leave Programming – In the event you need to be out due to medical needs (including maternity and paternity leave), YES Prep offers paid leave, paid out at 100%, based on eligibility and tenure.
Professional Development - YES Prep values longevity and performance over time. We invest in developing leaders through high-quality programs, effective coaching, and ongoing professional development.
Award Winning Culture – The strong cultures of our campuses and Home Office are just one of many reasons we were named Houston’s Best Place To Work in 2018, 2019, and 2021. We won the 2012 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education and were a 2016 finalist as well.
YES Prep is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood.