Compensation And Benefits Jobs for OPT Students
Compensation and benefits roles sit at the intersection of HR strategy, data analysis, and compliance, making them a strong fit for OPT students with backgrounds in human resources, business, or finance. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B sponsorship, and STEM OPT extensions are available for quantitatively focused roles.
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About Alvarez & Marsal
A&M is a group of entrepreneurial, action and results-oriented professionals who take a hands-on approach to solving our clients' problems and assisting them in reaching their potential. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who can positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M's core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are why our people love working at A&M.
We provide tax, turnaround management, restructuring, performance improvement, and corporate advisory services. Our tax practice is unique in that we offer the opportunity to work without audit conflict and truly act as a trusted business advisor. We provide our teams with opportunities and support to develop and cultivate careers that are most meaningful to them and reward them based on their achievements.
A&M’s Compensation & Benefits practice is currently seeking a Senior Associate with key expertise in the area of Executive Compensation. The ideal candidate will work with our team of professionals to advise companies of all sizes on various compensation and benefits matters. When you join us, you will gain unique experiences and valuable knowledge working across capabilities, sectors, and geographies, and have the opportunity to take control of your career progression.
As a Senior Associate, you will assist clients with the design, implementation, communication, and monitoring of their compensation philosophy and strategy. The types of programs we consult on include base salary, annual incentives, long-term incentives, executive-level retirement, deferred compensation, and fringe benefit plans.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
- Complete complex compensation and benefits projects
- Provide compensation, tax, accounting, and business advice in regards to complex transactions
- Provide competitive market data, quantitative/qualitative analyses
- Have proficiency in the taxation of executive compensation and knowledge of Code sections 83, 162(m), 280G, and 409A
- Participate in multiple executive compensation engagements for a diverse client base, both in and out of the transaction setting
- Contribute to client satisfaction by providing timely and effective responses to client needs and concerns
- Participate in client meetings and work within a team environment to deliver fully integrated compensation and benefit services to clients
- Conduct proxy statement studies and analyses of other publicly available data sources
- Benchmark, design, and implement annual incentive plans and long-term incentive plans
- Conduct statistical analyses of compensation data
- Model financial impact of compensation plans
- Conduct performance metrics studies
- Monitor executive and other compensation trends
- Benchmark, design, and implement bankruptcy compensation programs, including:
- Key Employee Incentive Programs (“KEIPs”)
- Key Employee Retention Programs (“KERPs”)
- Management Incentive Plans (“MIPs”), severance programs, etc.
- Assist clients with stakeholder awareness and negotiations (e.g., board of directors, creditors committee, U.S. Trustee, etc.), as applicable.
- Participate in marketing initiatives including support on developing compensation work and methodology approaches, writing and supporting proposals and conducting surveys
- With this position, you will further your analytical and communication skills while adding value for our clients by helping solve their complex problems
- Supervise, develop, mentor, and motivate our Associates by actively participating in their advancement through on-the-job training, providing performance feedback, counseling, and fostering our team-based atmosphere
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree preferred
- One of the following preferred: Juris Doctor, Masters in Tax, licensed CPA, or specialty compensation and benefits certification
- 3-5 years of experience working with technical issues regarding compensation & benefits
- Strong knowledge of executive compensation and statistical analysis, incentive plan design and analysis, and pay structure analysis and design
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to articulate complex information, including presenting complex topics in easily understood terms to clients
- Strong analytical skills
- Ability to simultaneously work on and manage several projects and effectively manage deadlines
- High motivation to learn and grow
- Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Your journey at A& M
We recognize that our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we prioritize an employee experience that fosters each person’s unique professional and personal development. Our robust performance development process promotes continuous learning, rewards your contributions, and fosters a culture of meritocracy. With top-notch training and on-the-job learning opportunities, you can acquire new skills and advance your career.
We prioritize your well-being, providing benefits and resources to support you on your personal journey. Our people consistently highlight the growth opportunities, our unique, entrepreneurial culture, and the fun we have together as their favorite aspects of working at A&M. The possibilities are endless for high-performing and passionate professionals.
Full-time Positions and Part-time Positions Over 30 hours
Regular employees working 30 or more hours per week are also entitled to participate in Alvarez & Marsal Holdings’ fringe benefits consisting of healthcare plans, flexible spending and savings accounts, life, AD&D, and disability coverages at rates determined from time to time as well as a 401(k) retirement plan. Provided the eligibility requirements are met, employees will also receive a discretionary contribution to their 401(k) from Alvarez & Marsal. Additionally, employees are eligible for paid time off including vacation, personal days, seventy-two (72) hours of sick time (prorated for part-time employees), ten federal holidays, one floating holiday, and parental leave. The amount of vacation and personal days available varies based on tenure and role type. Click here for more information regarding A&M’s benefits programs.
Compensation Statement
The salary range is $85,000 - $110,000 annually, dependent on several variables including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. In addition, A&M offers a discretionary bonus program which is based on a number of factors, including individual and firm performance. Please ask your recruiter for details.
Description
About Alvarez & Marsal
A&M is a group of entrepreneurial, action and results-oriented professionals who take a hands-on approach to solving our clients' problems and assisting them in reaching their potential. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who can positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M's core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are why our people love working at A&M.
We provide tax, turnaround management, restructuring, performance improvement, and corporate advisory services. Our tax practice is unique in that we offer the opportunity to work without audit conflict and truly act as a trusted business advisor. We provide our teams with opportunities and support to develop and cultivate careers that are most meaningful to them and reward them based on their achievements.
A&M’s Compensation & Benefits practice is currently seeking a Senior Associate with key expertise in the area of Executive Compensation. The ideal candidate will work with our team of professionals to advise companies of all sizes on various compensation and benefits matters. When you join us, you will gain unique experiences and valuable knowledge working across capabilities, sectors, and geographies, and have the opportunity to take control of your career progression.
As a Senior Associate, you will assist clients with the design, implementation, communication, and monitoring of their compensation philosophy and strategy. The types of programs we consult on include base salary, annual incentives, long-term incentives, executive-level retirement, deferred compensation, and fringe benefit plans.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
- Complete complex compensation and benefits projects
- Provide compensation, tax, accounting, and business advice in regards to complex transactions
- Provide competitive market data, quantitative/qualitative analyses
- Have proficiency in the taxation of executive compensation and knowledge of Code sections 83, 162(m), 280G, and 409A
- Participate in multiple executive compensation engagements for a diverse client base, both in and out of the transaction setting
- Contribute to client satisfaction by providing timely and effective responses to client needs and concerns
- Participate in client meetings and work within a team environment to deliver fully integrated compensation and benefit services to clients
- Conduct proxy statement studies and analyses of other publicly available data sources
- Benchmark, design, and implement annual incentive plans and long-term incentive plans
- Conduct statistical analyses of compensation data
- Model financial impact of compensation plans
- Conduct performance metrics studies
- Monitor executive and other compensation trends
- Benchmark, design, and implement bankruptcy compensation programs, including:
- Key Employee Incentive Programs (“KEIPs”)
- Key Employee Retention Programs (“KERPs”)
- Management Incentive Plans (“MIPs”), severance programs, etc.
- Assist clients with stakeholder awareness and negotiations (e.g., board of directors, creditors committee, U.S. Trustee, etc.), as applicable.
- Participate in marketing initiatives including support on developing compensation work and methodology approaches, writing and supporting proposals and conducting surveys
- With this position, you will further your analytical and communication skills while adding value for our clients by helping solve their complex problems
- Supervise, develop, mentor, and motivate our Associates by actively participating in their advancement through on-the-job training, providing performance feedback, counseling, and fostering our team-based atmosphere
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree preferred
- One of the following preferred: Juris Doctor, Masters in Tax, licensed CPA, or specialty compensation and benefits certification
- 3-5 years of experience working with technical issues regarding compensation & benefits
- Strong knowledge of executive compensation and statistical analysis, incentive plan design and analysis, and pay structure analysis and design
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to articulate complex information, including presenting complex topics in easily understood terms to clients
- Strong analytical skills
- Ability to simultaneously work on and manage several projects and effectively manage deadlines
- High motivation to learn and grow
- Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Your journey at A& M
We recognize that our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we prioritize an employee experience that fosters each person’s unique professional and personal development. Our robust performance development process promotes continuous learning, rewards your contributions, and fosters a culture of meritocracy. With top-notch training and on-the-job learning opportunities, you can acquire new skills and advance your career.
We prioritize your well-being, providing benefits and resources to support you on your personal journey. Our people consistently highlight the growth opportunities, our unique, entrepreneurial culture, and the fun we have together as their favorite aspects of working at A&M. The possibilities are endless for high-performing and passionate professionals.
Full-time Positions and Part-time Positions Over 30 hours
Regular employees working 30 or more hours per week are also entitled to participate in Alvarez & Marsal Holdings’ fringe benefits consisting of healthcare plans, flexible spending and savings accounts, life, AD&D, and disability coverages at rates determined from time to time as well as a 401(k) retirement plan. Provided the eligibility requirements are met, employees will also receive a discretionary contribution to their 401(k) from Alvarez & Marsal. Additionally, employees are eligible for paid time off including vacation, personal days, seventy-two (72) hours of sick time (prorated for part-time employees), ten federal holidays, one floating holiday, and parental leave. The amount of vacation and personal days available varies based on tenure and role type. Click here for more information regarding A&M’s benefits programs.
Compensation Statement
The salary range is $85,000 - $110,000 annually, dependent on several variables including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. In addition, A&M offers a discretionary bonus program which is based on a number of factors, including individual and firm performance. Please ask your recruiter for details.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Compensation And Benefits
Target companies with established HR functions
Large and mid-size companies with dedicated total rewards or people operations teams are more likely to sponsor OPT students. They have HR infrastructure and legal resources to handle work authorization, unlike lean startups where compensation is handled ad hoc.
Emphasize your analytical toolkit
Employers in compensation and benefits prioritize candidates who can model pay structures and analyze benefits cost data. Highlight proficiency in Excel, SQL, or compensation benchmarking platforms in your resume to signal you can contribute immediately without a long ramp-up period.
Pursue SHRM-CP certification early
The SHRM-CP certification strengthens your credibility as an OPT candidate competing against domestic applicants. It demonstrates formal HR knowledge and signals long-term commitment to the field, which matters to employers weighing the investment of sponsoring a future H-1B petition.
Frame your degree as meeting specialty occupation criteria
H-1B sponsorship for compensation roles requires demonstrating the job is a specialty occupation. A degree in human resources, finance, or business administration typically satisfies this. Be prepared to help your employer connect your academic background to the specific role requirements.
Apply before your OPT end date with buffer time
H-1B petitions must be filed before your OPT expires, and lottery registration opens in March. Start your job search at least six to nine months before your OPT end date so there is time to receive an offer, start working, and register for the next H-1B cycle.
Research employers who have sponsored similar roles before
Compensation analyst and benefits specialist roles appear regularly in Department of Labor LCA filings from large financial services, healthcare, and technology firms. Focusing your search on employers with a documented history of sponsoring these titles significantly improves your odds of success.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do compensation and benefits jobs qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Most compensation and benefits roles qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in human resources, business, or finance. Job titles like compensation analyst, total rewards specialist, and benefits analyst have a documented history of H-1B approvals across financial services, healthcare, and technology employers.
Can F-1 OPT students work in compensation and benefits roles without any additional authorization?
Yes. If you're on active post-completion OPT and the role is directly related to your field of study, you can work in compensation and benefits without any additional authorization beyond your EAD. Track your unemployment days carefully, as USCIS allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT and 150 days combined across standard and STEM OPT.
Do compensation and benefits roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Some do, depending on your degree and the specific role. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as statistics, applied mathematics, or management information systems, and your compensation role involves significant data analysis or quantitative modeling, it may qualify. Confirm with your Designated School Official before applying, as the job description must align with your STEM degree.
Where can I find compensation and benefits jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, so you're not wasting time on roles that won't support your work authorization. Browsing Migrate Mate for compensation and benefits openings gives you a targeted list of employers who have sponsored similar roles or indicated openness to OPT candidates.
What should I include in my resume to improve my chances of getting sponsored in this field?
Lead with technical skills relevant to compensation work, including experience with Excel modeling, HRIS platforms, and benefits cost analysis. Quantify your impact where possible, such as the number of employees covered by a benefits program you administered. Employers sponsoring OPT candidates want confidence that you can perform at a high level from day one, so specificity matters.
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