Assistant Director, Compensation

We invite you to review our current business services professionals openings to learn about the opportunities available across the firm.

About Us

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has forged a reputation as one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. Relying on innovation, intellect, teamwork and tenacity, our lawyers deliver the highest quality advice and novel solutions to our clients’ legal issues. We are known for handling the most complex transactions, litigation/controversy issues, and regulatory matters, as well as for the strong partnerships we build with clients and each other. Our attorneys, who reflect a broad range of experiences and perspectives, work together seamlessly across 50-plus practices and 21 offices in the world’s major financial centers.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an Assistant Director, Compensation to join our Firm. This position will be based in our New York office (hybrid). In this role, you will lead the strategic design, development, implementation, and administration of all aspects of the Firm’s global compensation programs for attorneys and business services professionals. Oversees the annual compensation review processes for all employees, associates, counsel, and partners, ensuring consistency, transparency, and competitiveness across practices, offices and regions. Works closely with Firm leadership, the Partner Compensation Committee, and People Strategy teams providing strategic and analytical guidance to support equitable and market-aligned pay decisions. Leads the development of a robust job architecture framework for the Firm's business services professionals and partners with the People Technology team to leverage Workday's compensation features and functionality. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Compensation Strategy & Governance

• Administers and enhances the Firm’s compensation framework, ensures alignment with business strategy and market standards.
• Establishes a job architecture for business services professionals as a foundation for ensuring fair and market-aligned compensation.
• Advises Firm and practice leadership on compensation design, pay equity, and governance best practices.
• Maintains compliance with all relevant labor, tax, and compensation regulations globally.
• Partners with People Technology team to leverage technology for recordkeeping, reporting and analytics for managing compensation.
• Conducts ongoing market analyses using leading compensation surveys to maintain competitive positioning across geographies.
• Provides recommendations on salary bands, bonuses, and special adjustments to ensure market alignment.

Team Leadership

• Leads, mentors, and develops a team of compensation professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Annual Compensation Review

• Leads the annual compensation review cycle for the Firm population, including business services professionals, associates, counsel, and partners, including data collection, benchmarking, modeling, and analysis.
• Collaborates with the Director, Attorney Career Progression and the Partner Compensation Committee to prepare materials and recommendations.
• Coordinates across People teams, Finance, and leadership to ensure timely, accurate compensation decisions and communications.

Partner Compensation Support

• Supports the administration of the partner compensation process, including modeling, adjustments, and financial alignment.
• Manages sensitive partner-level data and reports with the highest level of confidentiality.

Collaboration & Communication

• Counsels and advises People Strategy managers, Talent Acquisition, and Attorney Career Progression teams to align compensation decisions with talent strategies.
• Communicates compensation frameworks and decisions clearly and professionally to key stakeholders.
• Contributes to continuous improvement of processes and technology supporting compensation programs.
• Develops and delivers training and communication materials to educate business services professionals and attorneys on the Firm's compensation philosophy and programs.

• In collaboration with leadership:
  • Recommends, develops and executes department strategies to shape topics including policy, culture, initiatives and other areas of strategic importance.
  • Applies best practices to support enhanced communications, policies, practices, etc. 
  • Provides guidance and creates strategy to elevate and communicate department resources
  • Drives department learning initiatives.
  • Leads strategic projects that create added value and efficiencies to the work of the department.
• Understands business needs and identifies alternatives on a quantitative and qualitative basis.
• Recommends innovative approaches to effectively deliver department services in more efficient and effective ways.
• Has significant independence in the role and may independently manage certain aspects of the department's functions.
• Establishes collaborative partnerships across departments to strengthen mutual interests, reduce operational redundancies, and to engage our business services professionals in work that supports Skadden’s business priorities.
• Convenes groups in formal and informal dialogue to support strong relationships across the Firm and fluid sharing of priorities, knowledge and best practices. 
• Participates in collaborative and high-level projects as needed. Prepares and presents internal programs as applicable. 
• Engages in strategic (i.e., long-range) planning by developing departmental goals and supporting objectives for assigned department(s).
• Coordinates and oversees department projects, day-to-day operations and long-range plans.
• Ensures accurate and timely responses to requests for departmental services.
• Forecasts financial and budget requirements for the department, prepares related reports, and monitors the budget.
• Oversees employees' work performance and provides guidance in the resolution of problems. Effectively utilizes the Firm's performance management process to communicate performance expectations, monitor performance, coach employees, and manage unsatisfactory performance.
• Monitors time, attendance, overtime, and expense reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with Firm policies.
• Participates in the interviewing, selection and training process.
• Initiates disciplinary procedures in collaboration with the Human Resources Department.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to facilitate effective work relations with others.
• Complies with and understands Firm operation, policies and procedures.
• Manages Firm resources responsibly.
• Performs other projects as directed.

Qualifications

• Has a deep understanding of compensation models, market benchmarking, and governance processes
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Excellent communication, stakeholder-management, and presentation skills
• Strong analytical skills, with advanced proficiency in Excel and modeling
• Understands and is able to successfully perform in a global, matrix environment
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the various functions performed by the department and the impact of those functions on other departments and offices
• Consistently demonstrates thought leadership, and the creation and implementation of best practices aligned with the Firm's goals and objectives
• Professional demeanor, high emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity and ability to interact effectively with all levels
• Demonstrates fiscal responsibility
• Demonstrates collegiality, creativity, and strategic thinking and planning when dealing with Firm leadership, departments and offices
• Strong technological skills and knowledge of relevant Firm computer software programs (e.g., Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), project management and database applications, with the ability to learn new software and operating systems
• Emulates, through leadership, the Firm's core values
• Strong communicator capable of developing and leading communications efforts across multiple platforms
• Strong writing abilities across multiple platforms and excellent verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize multiple processes and projects and delegate effectively
• Strong experience and track record on leading successful projects with high degree of quality, speed and flexibility for change to support Firm-wide initiatives
• Effective decision maker and creative problem solver focused on continuous improvement with an innovative mindset
• Ability to handle difficult or sensitive situations with poise and diplomacy and to use discretion, exercise independent and sound judgement and maintain confidentiality
• Current knowledge of industry best practices, trend and techniques
• Knowledge of and ability to administer Firm operations, policies and procedures
• Ability to work well in a demanding and fast-paced environment
• Flexibility to travel and to adjust hours and work the hours necessary to meet operating and business needs

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of eight years of progressive compensation experience, including experience managing attorney or partner compensation in a large international law firm or global professional services environment
• Minimum of four years of experience leading a compensation function or team
• Minimum of three years of experience leveraging Workday's core and advanced compensation modules

Culture & Life at Skadden
What makes Skadden special is our people and the culture, community and spirit of collaboration we have created. We believe in teamwork and inspiring each other to be our best in an atmosphere that promotes professionalism and excellence in all that we do. We know that inclusion and drawing on the strength of a wide spectrum of talent only make us better and is vital to the firm's success. Our goal is for everyone at the firm to enjoy a challenging career with opportunities for development and growth and to support the well-being of our attorneys and business services professionals.

Benefits

The overall well-being of our team is important to us.  We offer generous benefits to help you achieve wellness in all areas of your life. 

• Competitive salaries and year-end discretionary bonuses.
• Comprehensive health care (medical, dental, vision), savings plan/401(k) and voluntary benefits.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid leave options, including parental.
• In-classroom, remote, and on-demand learning and professional development opportunities.
• Robust well-being classes and programs.
• Opportunities to give back and make an impact in local communities.

For further details, please visit:  https://www.skadden.com/careers/staff/employee-benefits

The starting base salary for this position is expected to be within the range listed under Salary Details.  Actual salary will be determined based on skills, experience (to the extent relevant) and other-job related factors, consistent with applicable law.

Salary Details

EEO Statement

Skadden is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  It does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on any legally impermissible factor including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, alienage or citizenship status, marital or familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual and reproductive health decisions, disability, any protected military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault or offense, or stalking.

Applicants who require an accommodation during the application process should contact Alex Taylor at (212) 735-2176.

Skadden Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Skadden Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Applicants Have Rights Under Federal Employment Law

Applicants Have Rights Under Federal Employment Law

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