Sr. Compensation Analyst

About the role

This role supports design, administration, compliance, communication, and governance of equity and executive compensation programs.

Responsibilities

• Administer equity compensation programs, including RSUs, PSUs, RSAs, and stock options
• Oversee day-to-day operations of equity plans: grants, vesting, exercises, distributions, and terminations
• Partner with stock plan administrators and external vendors to ensure accurate recordkeeping and participant support
• Maintain equity data integrity across systems (e.g., Workday and Fidelity stock plan administration platform)
• Administer ESPP program, including enrollment cycles, contribution processing, purchase execution, and participant communications
• Ensure plan compliance with IRS and SEC regulations (e.g., Section 423 requirements)
• Monitor participation levels and analyze plan effectiveness
• Work with Payroll and Finance to ensure accurate deductions, purchase funding, refunds, payroll account activity, general ledger reconciliation, and related financial controls
• Support the design and delivery of executive compensation programs, including annual and long-term incentives
• Prepare Compensation Committee materials, including analysis, exhibits, and presentation decks
• Aid in modeling pay scenarios, data analytics, dilution, burn rate, share usage modeling, walk away value analysis, etc.
• Support executive compensation disclosures (e.g., proxy/CD&A tables, equity tables)
• Serve as the point of contact for employee inquiries related to equity awards and ESPP
• Develop and deliver communications, educational materials, and training sessions to improve employee understanding of equity compensation
• Guide on transactions, tax implications (at a high level), and platform navigation
• Partner with HR Business Partners, Northwest executives, and managers to educate stakeholders on equity and executive compensation program enhancements, tools, processes, and new technology
• Resolve associate questions and issues by interpreting applicable equity and executive compensation policies, procedures, plan provisions, and administrative guidelines
• Ensure compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements (e.g., SEC reporting, Section 16, Section 409A, IRC 162(m), SOX, etc.)
• Support preparation and filing of Forms 3, 4, and 5
• Aid in maintaining insider trading compliance processes, including blackout periods and pre-clearances
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and reports
• Perform SOX control procedures and maintain meticulous document trails
• Partner with Legal on equity plan documents and amendments
• Maintain established equity and executive compensation policies, procedures, guidelines, objectives, quality standards, and related governance documentation
• Conduct audits to support equity compensation data accuracy, executive compensation governance, internal equity considerations, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Identify, research, and monitor changes in equity and executive compensation laws and regulations; summarize impacts and recommend appropriate next actions
• Ensure equity and executive compensation plan administration is consistent with plan documents, committee approvals, delegated authority, and internal governance requirements
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports (e.g., equity overhang, run rate, executive pay benchmarking)
• Support financial reporting requirements (ASC 718 stock-based compensation expense) in partnership with Finance
• Support equity expense tracking, accruals, reconciliations between the equity administration system, payroll accounts, and the general ledger
• Participate in year-end equity and executive compensation reporting processes, including W-2, cost basis, taxable income, withholding, and related participant or vendor reporting
• Analyze market data to inform equity and executive compensation strategies
• Develop dashboards and insights for senior leadership
• Identify and implement improvements to equity and executive compensation processes
• Leverage generative AI tools strategically to accelerate learning and enhance operational efficiency
• Document procedures and maintain strong internal controls
• Ensure compliance with Northwest’s policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
• Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Business, or related field
• 5 - 6 years of experience in equity compensation, executive compensation, or related field
• 5 - 6 years public Company experience
• 5 - 6 years working with U.S. equity compensation regulations and reporting requirements
• 5 - 6 years of experience administering ESPP programs, equity administration systems (e.g. Fidelity, E*TRADE, Shareworks, Carta)