Compensation Lead & Programs Architect

Wwshemi; San Francisco, New York (CA, NY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Perplexity is seeking a Compensation Lead to build and own our compensation function, shaping programs and processes for hiring, recognition, and retention. You’ll design salary ranges, equity guidelines, and decision rules, while driving consistency across teams and locations.

You’ll partner with Finance and People to run reviews, justify recommendations with market data, and ensure accurate implementation. A strong, independent executor ready to improve existing workflows is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience designing or rebuilding compensation frameworks with limited infra.
• Ability to price roles, cash and equity, and run reviews.
• Strong analytical reasoning and data reconciliation.

Responsibilities

• Build the compensation foundation, practices, and guidelines.
• Develop salary ranges and market benchmarks; align with job scope and leveling.
• Own day-to-day compensation decisions including offers and pay changes.
• Design and run compensation reviews with cross-functional partners.
• Model costs and impact of salary/equity changes for leadership decisions.
• Identify pay equity and compression issues and address them with leadership.

Skills

Compensation program design

Market pricing

Analytical judgment

Influence decisions

Independent execution

Job description

Perplexity is seeking a Compensation Lead to build and own our compensation function, shaping programs and processes for hiring, recognition, and retention. You’ll design salary ranges, equity guidelines, and decision rules, while driving consistency across teams and locations.

You’ll partner with Finance and People to run reviews, justify recommendations with market data, and ensure accurate implementation. A strong, independent executor ready to improve existing workflows is essential.