Compensation Manager

Woodward; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 108,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunity

401(k) match

Stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

Woodward is seeking a Compensation Manager to lead market-based compensation programs across a global organization. You will partner with HR and business leaders to design, deliver, and maintain base pay and incentive programs, while ensuring governance, equity, and compliance.

The role reports to the Director, Compensation and sits within the Total Rewards team. You will drive data-driven recommendations, oversee annual salary planning, and collaborate across HR, Finance, and Legal to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or a related field is required or preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in compensation design and administration across base pay and incentive programs.
• Experience leading compensation support and consulting with business leaders and HR partners.
• Experience in a global organization with multiple countries or regions.

Responsibilities

• Lead compensation support for a business segment and act as principal consultant to stakeholders.
• Provide strategic consultation based on data analysis and market practices.
• Design and administer incentive compensation programs and manage bonus payments.
• Support annual salary planning through system configuration, communications, and audits.
• Monitor market data to maintain competitive salary structures and governance alignment.
• Ensure pay equity and regulatory compliance across the enterprise.

Skills

HRIS systems (Workday)

Excel

Project management

Analytical thinking

Written & verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or business-related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

Company Culture

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

Total Reward package

Woodward supports our members' wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Estimated Annual Base Pay

Estimated annual base pay: $108,000 - $155,000

Benefits

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.
• 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
• 12 paid holidays
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave
• Paid parental leave
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Member referral bonus
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including:
  • Home / Auto Insurance discounts
  • Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Job Summary

As a Compensation Manager at Woodward, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring compensation programs are strategically aligned with business objectives. Reporting to the Director, Compensation, you will lead compensation support for a business segment while contributing technical expertise and consulting leadership across Woodward's enterprise-wide compensation programs. As a key leader within the Total Rewards team, you will help design, deliver, and continuously improve market-based compensation programs and standards, provide expert consultation to business and HR leaders, and ensure effective execution of annual compensation programs.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead compensation support for a business segment, serving as the principal compensation consultant and technical subject-matter expert to business and HR stakeholders while ensuring compensation strategies align to business objectives.
• Provide strategic consultation to the business through needs assessment, data analysis and recommend competitive, sustainable solutions grounded in Woodward's market practices, compensation philosophy, and governance standards.
• Participate in the design and administration of incentive compensation programs and manage the delivery of bonus payments.
• Participate in the annual salary planning cycle by supporting system configuration and testing, developing communications and training materials, performing audits, and providing analysis and reporting to stakeholders.
• Monitor market benchmarks and emerging trends to maintain accurate market pricing data and develop competitive salary structures.
• Support the ongoing governance and maintenance of the enterprise Career Framework, including job architecture, career leveling, and market alignment activities.
• Ensure compensation programs comply with applicable laws, regulations, internal governance standards, and pay equity and transparency requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement of compensation systems, frameworks and processes to strengthen efficiency and consistency to deliver business solutions.
• Build strong internal and external relationships, partnering across HR, Finance, Legal, HR Technology, and business leadership to deliver integrated compensation solutions in a global environment.

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a Business-related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in compensation design and administration across base pay and incentive compensation programs, job architecture and salary structures.
• Demonstrated experience leading compensation support and consulting with business leaders, HR Business Partners, and cross-functional stakeholders on complex compensation matters.
• Experience working within a global organization and navigating compensation needs across multiple businesses, countries, or regions.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and tools (e.g., Workday) and advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to lead work from concept through completion.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex compensation data into actionable recommendations aligned with business outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communicatio