Sr. Manager Compensation

Senior Manager, Compensation- NOT REMOTE- Hybrid with 3 days in office, 2 remote

Industry: Retail

Reports to: Vice President, Total Rewards / Human Resources

Position Summary

The Senior Manager of Compensation is a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and governing competitive compensation programs that attract, retain, and motivate talent across a dynamic retail organization. This role has deep ownership of executive and equity compensation programs and partners closely with senior leadership, Finance, Legal, and the Board/Compensation Committee to ensure pay programs align with business strategy, performance, and shareholder interests.

The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of analytical expertise, executive-level advisory capability, and hands-on program leadership within a fast-paced retail or consumer-facing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Compensation Strategy & Program Leadership

• Develop and lead enterprise-wide compensation strategies that support business objectives, talent needs, and market competitiveness.
• Design, implement, and manage base pay, annual incentive, long-term incentive (LTI), and equity compensation programs.
• Ensure compensation programs are scalable, cost-effective, and aligned with company growth and performance goals.

Executive & Equity Compensation

• Own executive compensation programs, including annual and long-term incentives, equity plans, and employment/severance arrangements.
• Prepare materials and analysis for the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors, including pay-for-performance modeling and peer benchmarking.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, and external advisors on equity plan design, proxy disclosures, and regulatory compliance.

Market Analysis & Governance

• Lead compensation benchmarking, job architecture, and market pricing efforts across corporate, field, and executive roles.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations (e.g., FLSA, pay transparency, equity and disclosure requirements).
• Establish governance frameworks, policies, and controls to ensure consistent and equitable pay practices.

Business Partnership & Advisory

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and HR partners on compensation decisions, including offers, promotions, and retention strategies.
• Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and incentive expense modeling.
• Support M&A, restructuring, and organizational design initiatives from a compensation perspective.

Team Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead, mentor, and develop compensation team members, fostering a high-performance, data-driven culture.
• Continuously improve compensation processes, tools, and systems to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 8 years of progressive compensation experience, preferably within retail or a multi-location, consumer-driven environment.
• At least 4 years of direct experience managing executive and equity compensation programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership, Boards, and Compensation Committees.
• Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel and experience with compensation systems and HRIS platforms.
• In-depth knowledge of compensation regulations, governance, and best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Retail, consumer, or omnichannel industry experience.
• Experience working with public company compensation programs and proxy disclosures.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or similar certification.
• Master’s degree in HR, Finance, or related discipline.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Executive presence and communication skills
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Attention to detail with the ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels
• Collaborative, influential, and solutions-oriented leadership style