Friedman Williams
Partner Compensation & Evaluation Associate Director
Job ID: 21529
Partner Compensation & Evaluation Associate Director (Hybrid – Chicago, IL)
We are partnering with a prestigious law firm to hire a Partner Compensation & Evaluation Associate Director. This highly visible leadership position offers the opportunity to lead the firm’s Partner Compensation & Evaluation function while working closely with firm leadership on increasingly complex partner compensation, evaluation, analytics, and reporting matters.
This position will serve as a key compensation and evaluation process leader, analytical partner, and coordination point for sensitive partner compensation matters. The Associate Director will oversee partner evaluation and compensation review cycles, compensation analytics, documentation, reporting, and coordination with adjacent Partner Matters functions while ensuring that all activity is accurate, timely, confidential, well-controlled, and aligned with firm leadership expectations.
The position works closely with the Partner Services Director, Partner Relations, Partner Operations, Partner Accounting, Tax, Finance, Strategic Planning, firm leadership, and other key stakeholders as the firm’s partner population and compensation structures continue to evolve, including income partner-related processes.
This is a hybrid position requiring a minimum of three days per week in the Chicago office, with up to two days of remote work generally available. During the firm’s peak compensation cycle, typically from late December through February, this individual should expect increased in-office attendance and workload while working closely with the COO and Management Committee.
Why does this role stand out?
Leadership responsibility for the firm’s Partner Compensation & Evaluation function
Highly visible role working closely with the COO, Management Committee, and firm leadership
Direct involvement in partner compensation reviews and evaluation processes
Opportunity to develop sophisticated compensation analytics, models, reporting, and executive decision-support materials
Significant cross-functional exposure to Partner Accounting, Partner Relations, Partner Operations, Tax, Finance, and Strategic Planning
Responsibility for an increasingly complex partner population and evolving compensation structures, including income partner-related processes
Opportunity to strengthen compensation processes, controls, systems, documentation, and governance
Team leadership responsibility with the ability to coach, develop, and shape the Compensation & Evaluation function
Key Responsibilities
Lead the Partner Compensation & Evaluation function and manage the team responsible for compensation process support, evaluation coordination, analytics, reporting, documentation, and stakeholder coordination
Establish clear priorities, timelines, accountabilities, handoffs, controls, and service expectations for compensation and evaluation activities
Manage support for the Partner evaluation and compensation review process, including preparation for Management Committee compensation review meetings
Coordinate evaluation timelines, materials, data inputs, stakeholder follow-up, process documentation, and leadership reporting
Analyze quantitative and qualitative factors to support compensation discussions, leadership decision-making, Partner promotions, and other Partner population changes
Oversee the development of compensation analytics, reporting, models, and decision-support materials for firm leadership
Track compensation-related decisions, individual agreements, committee determinations, special arrangements, and separation-related compensation implications
Partner closely with Partner Accounting, Partner Relations, Partner Operations, Tax, Finance, Strategic Planning, and firm leadership to ensure compensation decisions, changes, payments, and reporting are accurately reflected
Maintain strong controls, documentation standards, confidentiality protocols, data quality, and process discipline for compensation and evaluation-related work
Lead, coach, and develop Compensation & Evaluation team members, including clarifying roles, managing workload allocation, supporting training, and providing feedback
Identify opportunities to improve staffing, processes, systems, controls, and governance within the Partner Compensation & Evaluation function
Qualifications
Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in executive compensation, preferably within a large law firm or sophisticated professional services organization, with a focus on partner/executive compensation, performance evaluation, and equity structures.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Human Resources, Data Analytics, or a related field; Advanced degree, MBA, CPA, SHRM certification, compensation certification, or related credential preferred
Experience with financial systems, compensation systems, data management tools, advanced Excel, or reporting platforms preferred
Demonstrated analytical capability, including experience developing reports, models, dashboards, decision-support materials, or executive-facing analysis
Experience leading teams and managing complex projects or processes across multiple functions
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within a complex, matrixed, service-oriented environment
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
Sound judgment and the ability to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling highly sensitive matters
Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
If interested, email Bill at wzwirz@friedmanwilliams.com.