Compensation Manager

PACE Staffing Alternatives; Missouri; On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

PACE Staffing Alternatives is seeking a senior compensation professional to lead analysis, benchmarking, and governance of compensation programs in a dynamic, stakeholder-driven environment. The role involves managing job architecture, merit planning, equity administration, and cross-functional collaboration across HR, Finance and Legal.

You will mentor the compensation team, drive automation, and deliver actionable insights through dashboards and reports to support strategic business decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field.
• 7+ years in compensation, analytics, or related discipline.
• Experience with market pricing, benchmarking, job architecture, planning, and analytics.
• Strong Excel skills; translate data into clear recommendations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder partnership abilities.
• Experience leading people, projects, or cross-functional programs.
• Experience with Workday or equity administration platforms (preferred).
• CCP or progress toward certification (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead compensation analysis, market benchmarking, and pay recommendations.
• Manage job architecture, leveling, and governance processes.
• Support annual merit and compensation planning, data validation, and reporting.
• Oversee equity program administration, grants, vesting, reporting, and coordination.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, HRIS, Tax, and external vendors to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Support executive compensation activities and governance reporting.
• Prepare and validate data for required compensation reporting and disclosures.
• Develop compensation dashboards and analytics for business decisions.
• Lead and coach compensation team members, driving automation and efficiency.
• Manage compensation-related projects and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Communication

Project management

Stakeholder collaboration

Leadership

Adaptability

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Finance/Business

Tools

Workday

Equity platforms

Compensation reporting tools

Job description

• Lead compensation analysis, market benchmarking, and pay recommendations to support competitive and equitable compensation practices.
• Manage and enhance job architecture, job leveling, compensation structures, and related governance processes.
• Support annual merit and compensation planning, including data validation, reporting, stakeholder communication, and process improvement.
• Oversee equity program administration, including grants, vesting, reporting, participant support, and coordination with internal and external partners.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, HRIS, Tax, business leaders, and external vendors to ensure compensation programs are accurate, compliant, and scalable.
• Support executive compensation activities and related governance and reporting requirements.
• Prepare and validate compensation data and analyses used for required compensation reporting and disclosures.
• Develop compensation reports, dashboards, and analytics that provide actionable insights and support business decision-making.
• Lead, coach, and develop compensation team members while promoting continuous improvement, automation, and operational efficiency.
• Manage compensation-related projects and cross-functional initiatives, adapting processes and priorities to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in compensation, compensation analytics, finance, HR analytics, or a related discipline.
• Experience with market pricing, compensation benchmarking, job architecture, annual compensation planning, and compensation analytics.
• Strong analytical skills, including advanced Excel proficiency and the ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations.
• Strong communication, project management, and stakeholder partnership skills.
• Flexible and adaptable approach with a solutions-oriented mindset and ability to support changing business priorities.
• Previous experience leading people, projects, programs, or cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience with Workday, compensation planning systems, equity administration platforms, or compensation reporting tools. (preferred)
• Experience supporting executive compensation, equity programs, public-company reporting, regulatory disclosures, international compensation, or mergers and acquisitions. (preferred)
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation or progress toward certification. (preferred)