Compensation Manager

About the role

The Compensation Manager is responsible for the administration, analysis, and continuous improvement of compensation programs that support organizational objectives and talent strategies. This role partners with HR, Finance and business leaders to ensure compensation programs remain competitive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with market practices. The role serves as a trusted advisor on compensation matters, supporting key enterprise initiatives including compensation planning, incentive program management, job architecture, pay equity, benchmarking, and process improvement. The ideal candidate combines strong compensation expertise with technical and analytical capabilities and influences stakeholders through expert consultation, data-driven recommendations, and business insight rather than direct leadership authority.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage and continuously improve compensation programs, policies, and practices to support business objectives, market competitiveness, and internal equity.
• Lead compensation analysis including market pricing, benchmarking, salary structure administration, and annual compensation planning activities.
• Administer incentives, bonus, and other variable pay programs, including modeling, forecasting, funding analysis, and payout administration.
• Partner with Finance, HR, and business leaders to provide data-driven compensation recommendations and support workforce planning decisions.
• Lead job evaluation, leveling, and job architecture activities, including governance of job descriptions and organizational structures.
• Develop compensation analytics, dashboards, reporting, and workforce cost models to support strategic decision-making.
• Leverage technology, automation, and process improvements to enhance efficiency, scalability, and employee experience.
• Influence stakeholders through expert consultation, market insights, and business-focused recommendations.
• Support compensation governance, pay equity reviews, compliance activities, audits, and key enterprise initiatives across Total Rewards and HR.
• Identify opportunities to challenge conventional approaches and drive innovative compensation solutions and operational improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; professional certification (e.g., CCP, SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR) preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in Compensation or Total Rewards.
• Strong experience in market pricing, job evaluation, salary administration, and compensation program management.
• Demonstrated experience administering and analyzing annual incentive, bonus, and variable pay programs.
• Experience leveraging HR technology, compensation systems, analytics, dashboards, and process automation.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and support enterprise-wide compensation initiatives.

Skills

• Strong expertise in compensation principles, market benchmarking, job evaluation, and compensation analytics.
• Knowledge of incentive compensation, bonus administration, and performance-based reward programs.
• Advanced Excel skills with experience in financial modeling and workforce analytics.
• Experience with HRIS, compensation management systems, Power BI, Tableau, or similar reporting tools is required.
• Strong analytical, consulting, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence through expertise and data-driven recommendations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to leverage technology and challenge traditional processes.
• Strong business acumen and ability to translate data into actionable insights.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Bonus/Incentive Programs
• Retirement Savings – 401K with company match
• Medical, Dental, Vision, well-being programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Generous Paid Time Off – Starting at 4 Weeks (PT/FT)
• Paid Leave
• Employee Discount Program
• Employee Assistance & Work Life Program
• Outstanding training opportunities