Compensation Manager

Industry: Fintech
Company Type: Private
Location: Hybrid 
Reports To: Director, Total Rewards

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on Compensation professional to lead and execute the company’s global compensation programs within a fast‑growing, private fintech environment. As the sole compensation practitioner, this role will include the full scope of compensation responsibilities—from program design and governance to execution and analytics—while partnering closely with the Director of Total Rewards for strategy, governance, and philosophy.

The Compensation Manager will serve as a senior, hands‑on practitioner, responsible for administering and enhancing compensation programs, delivering analysis and recommendations, and ensuring successful execution of compensation processes across a multinational employee population. This role requires strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to operate with autonomy while also partnering with key stakeholders.

Experience with multinational compensation, sales compensation, Workday, and an interest in leveraging AI and automation to improve compensation processes is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

Compensation Program Management & Execution

• Manage all company compensation programs, including:
• Base pay structures and global pay ranges
• Annual merit, promotion, and bonus cycles
• Incentive and variable compensation programs
• Job architecture, leveling, and career frameworks
• Partner with the Director of Total Rewards to evolve compensation strategy in alignment with business growth, talent needs, and fintech market dynamics.
• Maintain and document compensation policies, guidelines, and governance standards to ensure scalability and consistency.

Global Market Pricing & Analytics

• Conduct global job pricing and benchmarking using external survey data and internal equity analyses.
• Provide data‑driven recommendations on pay positioning, structural adjustments, and market competitiveness.
• Conduct pay equity, compression, and risk analyses; prepare insights for leadership discussions and decision‑making.

Annual Compensation Cycles

• Manage end‑to‑end execution of compensation review cycles, including:
• Merit, promotion, and bonus planning
• Budget modeling and scenario analysis
• Bonus calculations and validation
• Budget analysis and scenario modeling
• Manager tools, guidelines, and communications
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant execution across regions.
• Prepare manager tools, data validation, and cycle reporting in partnership with HR and Finance.

Sales Compensation Support

• Support administration and analysis of sales compensation plans, including commission‑based and quota‑driven programs.
• Partner with Sales, Finance, and HR to ensure accurate payouts and alignment with plan design.
• Analyze sales compensation outcomes and flag trends or risks.

Workday Compensation

• Serve as a key functional partner for Workday Compensation, including:
• Compensation plan configuration support
• Annual cycle setup and testing
• Reporting and data integrity checks
• Identify system improvements and partner with the Director of Total Rewards and HRIS on enhancements.

AI, Automation & Process Innovation

• Identify opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and advanced analytics to improve compensation efficiency, accuracy, and insights, such as:
• Streamlining job pricing and benchmarking workflows
• Supporting compensation modeling and scenario analysis
• Enhancing manager‑facing tools, guidance, and decision support
• Partner with the Director of Total Rewards and HR leadership to pilot and evaluate emerging technologies that reduce manual effort and increase strategic value.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual effort and improve accuracy and advanced analytics through:
• Automation
• AI‑enabled analysis or workflow support
• Improved reporting and data validation
• Supporting compensation modeling and scenario analysis
• Enhancing manager‑facing tools, guidance, and decision support
• Support ongoing modernization of compensation processes while maintaining appropriate controls.
• Continuously assess and improve compensation workflows to reduce duplication, manual processes, and cycle times.

Advisory & Stakeholder Partnership

• Act as a trusted compensation advisor to HR Business Partners and business leaders on offers, promotions, international moves, and off‑cycle adjustments.
• Balance speed, rigor, and risk in a fast‑paced fintech environment.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with HR, Finance, Legal, and Sales Operations.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Minimum of 4 – 6  years of progressive experience in compensation or total rewards.
• Experience operating in multinational organizations with mature compensation frameworks.
• Proven experience partnering with HR and business stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel proficiency and comfort working with large data sets.
• Experience partnering with leaders and translating data into clear, practical recommendations.

Preferred

• Experience supporting sales compensation programs.
• Hands‑on experience with Workday Advanced Compensation.
• Experience in fintech, financial services, or similarly regulated environments.
• Interest in or exposure to AI, automation, or analytics‑driven process improvement.
• CCP or progress toward certification.

What working at ACA offers:

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. Our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options as well as a flexible work environment. You’ll also be granted time off for designated ACA Paid Holidays, Summer Fridays, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being. We also offer unique benefits such as Student Debt Forgiveness and Pet Insurance. 

About ACA:

ACA Group is the leading governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) advisor in financial services. We empower our clients to reimagine GRC and protect and grow their business. Our innovative approach integrates consulting, managed services, and our ComplianceAlpha® technology platform with the specialized expertise of former regulators and practitioners and our deep understanding of the global regulatory landscape. 

What we commit to:

ACA is firmly committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, which applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotions, training, discipline, terminations, layoffs, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and all other terms and conditions of employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.