Generate a McCoy IQ challenge in 30 seconds.
See how candidates think and approach the work this role demands, before the phone screen. We'll build a video challenge from this posting, and you can edit or share it before it goes live.
Key details
Job Description
About Checkr
Checkr is building the data platform to power safe and fair decisions. Over 140,000 companies and millions of people rely on Checkr for AI verification in the moments that matter most: getting a new job, a new place to live, a car ride, childcare, even a date. Customers include Uber, Pennymac, Airbnb, Doordash, and Anthropic.
We’re a team that thrives on solving complex problems with innovative solutions that advance our mission. Checkr is recognized on Forbes Cloud 100 2025 List and is a Y Combinator 2024 Breakthrough Company.
About the role
Checkr’s growth is fueled by exceptional talent, and how we reward that talent matters. We are looking for a Principal Compensation Partner to be a senior individual contributor and trusted advisor on compensation and total rewards, helping us attract, retain, and motivate the best people as we scale. You will report to the VP of Total Rewards and People Ops, and partner directly with Executives, Directors, People Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Finance, and Legal to plan, build, communicate, and administer compensation programs that support Checkr’s overall strategy. Your work will touch our short- and long-term incentives, reward and recognition programs, benchmarking and survey analysis, and more.
This is a builder’s role. You will bring a business mindset, quantitative rigor, and a bias for action to a company that is growing fast, and you will have real ownership over how our compensation approach evolves. Join us and be part of a mission-driven company that is passionate about investing in our people! Hybrid schedule and office location: Denver
In this role you will
- Be a trusted advisor in the room. Partner directly with Executives, Directors, senior HR leaders, and Talent Acquisition to shape compensation strategies that fit Checkr’s philosophy while meeting the needs of each organization, including calibration sessions, offer discussions, and complex pay decisions.
- Own the strategy and the programs. Develop and maintain our compensation and rewards strategy and guidelines, ensuring a fair, equitable, and competitive total rewards approach, and be the subject-matter expert on our bi-annual performance review cycle, pay equity, compensation guidelines, job families, annual salary review, and equity refresh program.
- Take a whole-picture view of total rewards. Help evaluate how cash, equity, benefits, 401(k), leave, and recognition programs fit together, and bring ideas that strengthen Checkr’s overall rewards offering.
- Solve problems that don’t have obvious answers. Develop creative, data-driven solutions to complex compensation challenges, balancing competitiveness, equity, risk, and reward.
- Go deep on the data. Build compensation models, conduct statistical analysis, assess market competitiveness, and model the impact of alternatives so leaders can make informed decisions.
- Use AI and automation to build mechanisms that scale. Partner with Total Rewards and People Ops technology teams to implement tools that improve efficiency, operational excellence, and insight across the function.
- Drive job architecture and market pricing. Lead job evaluation, leveling, and market pricing across all job families and levels, and lead market-based compensation survey participation, annual benchmarking, and the market research review process.
- Educate and communicate. Create policy and program documentation, lead change management for new or updated compensation practices, and teach managers and employees about Checkr’s compensation philosophy, job descriptions, and leveling framework.
- Support executive compensation and provide insight to leadership on executive pay decisions.
- Partner across the company. Work closely with Total Rewards, Stock Administration, Finance, Legal, and third-party vendors to deliver programs accurately and on time, and support pay equity and pay transparency efforts.
- Mentor and lead projects. Coach teammates and partners on the business impact behind compensation decisions, and lead a variety of HR and compensation-related projects, including ad-hoc studies and analysis.
- Be a proactive problem solver. Spot skill gaps, offer solutions before you’re asked, and use judgment about when to move fast and when to slow down.
What you bring
- 8–10+ years of compensation experience partnering with leaders and stakeholders on compensation recommendations and decisions, ideally in a fast-growing, global tech company
- Strong command of compensation fundamentals, including job architecture and leveling, job evaluation methodologies, market pricing, equity mechanics, bonus/incentive and commission plan design, compensation structures, pay ranges, testing, auditing, and reporting
- Experience designing and implementing compensation programs, including salary structures, bonus, and long-term incentive programs
- Expertise in compensation benchmarking and survey methodology (for example Radford, Mercer, Compa, or Pave)
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate data and trends into clear insights and recommendations
- Strong executive presence, with the ability to communicate complex topics clearly and to influence decisions without direct authority
- Working knowledge of stock administration, payroll, benefits and 401(k) programs, ideally including experience with self-funded health plans (for example plan cost modeling, stop-loss, or working with a TPA or broker)
- Experience administering equity programs in a pre-IPO stage
- Proven ability to prioritize and drive multiple projects to completion and meet deadlines, with strong attention to detail and organization
- A passion for educating and mentoring partners on the values and business impact behind compensation strategy
- An A-player mindset with a strong bias for action: you raise the bar, move with urgency, stay resilient through ambiguity, and take ownership to deliver meaningful outcomes
Nice to have
- Experience building compensation programs from the ground up in a high-growth, hyper-scaling environment
- Experience leading compensation initiatives in a matrix-led organization
- Experience with mergers and acquisitions, including compensation harmonization and integration
- Experience with sales compensation
- Experience supporting Compensation Committee reporting
- Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or another Total Rewards certification
- Familiarity with talent acquisition strategy and how it connects to offer and pay decisions, and with global, multi-country pay structures
- Comfort with Excel, Google Suite, and AI tools such as Claude and Lovable
Pay Transparency Disclosure
We use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop ranges for our roles and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range. If this role is remote, we have listed the top to the bottom of the possible range, but we will specify the target range for an exact location when you are selected for a recruiting discussion. For more information on our compensation philosophy, see our website.
What We Offer
- A fast-paced and collaborative environment
- Learning and development allowance
- Competitive cash and equity compensation, and opportunity for advancement
- 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Up to $25K reimbursement for fertility, adoption, and parental planning services
- Flexible PTO policy
- Monthly wellness stipend
At Checkr, we believe an in office work environment strengthens collaboration, drives innovation, and encourages connection. Our hub locations are Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Nashville, TN; and Santiago, Chile. Individuals are expected to work from the office 3+ days a week. In-office perks are provided, such as lunch five times a week, a commuter stipend, and an abundance of snacks and beverages. A relocation stipend may be available for those willing to relocate to a Checkr hub location.
Equal Employment Opportunities at Checkr
Checkr is committed to building the best product and company, which requires hiring talented and qualified individuals with a diverse set of perspectives and lived experiences. Checkr believes in hiring people of all backgrounds, including those whose histories are impacted by the justice system in accordance with local, state, and/or federal laws, including the San Francisco’s Fair Chance Ordinance.
Applicant Privacy Policy
If you are a California resident or are located in Alberta or British Columbia, our Applicant Privacy Policy applies to our collection and processing of your personal information when you apply for a role with us or otherwise participate in our recruitment process.
For applicants in Massachusetts: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
*Legitimate Checkr emails will always include our official domain name after the @ symbol (e.g., name@checkr.com or name@ext.checkr.com).
