Compensation Manager

J.Crew; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Well-being benefits

Associate discount across brands

Summer Fridays

Community impact programs

Winter break for eligible associates

Job summary

J.Crew, based in New York, seeks a Manager, Compensation to shape and execute the company’s compensation philosophy and programs, focusing on base pay and short-term incentives. You will lead components of the annual compensation cycle and provide expert guidance to HR and business leaders, ensuring competitive, equitable and scalable programs.

You will partner with HR, Finance and Store Operations to ensure accurate execution, oversee Workday processes, and drive continuous improvement in

Qualifications

• Six or more years of progressive experience in compensation or total rewards.
• Experience leading key components of annual compensation cycles and advising senior stakeholders on pay decisions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling.
• Experience with Workday compensation processes and data management.
• Knowledge of compensation principles, market practices and applicable laws.
• Equity plan designs and systems knowledge is a plus.
• Strong business acumen and ability to translate data into practical recommendations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation and optimization of compensation structures, salary ranges and short-term incentives.
• Advise HR partners and senior leaders on complex pay decisions.
• Own annual compensation planning: data prep, modeling, budgeting, system execution.
• Lead job evaluation and market-pricing to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Analyze compensation data and market trends to recommend program enhancements.
• Coordinate with HR, Finance, Payroll and Store Ops for accurate execution of programs.
• Oversee Workday compensation processes and related activities.
• Lead compensation surveys and benchmarking initiatives.
• Develop compensation training, tools and communications for leaders.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on policies, governance and annual planning cycles.

Skills

Compensation strategy

Excel proficiency

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Tools

Workday

Excel

Job description

J.Crew gets you dressed every day, for every occasion.

Since 1983, we’ve been creating classics that feel familiar and refreshingly new, crafted with unbeatable quality and distinctive point of view—it’s no wonder we’ve been in your closet for four decades and counting.

Today, we continue to do the classics our way, inspiring not only how you shop but how you define your personal style. Our commitment runs deeper than just making great clothes—we’re proud of our role in getting you dressed with confidence, character, and celebrating a distinctly American sensibility that makes us who we are.

Our dedication to Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Sustainability has been celebrated with industry recognition, reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable workplace

About the Role

As a key member of the Total Rewards team, the Manager, Compensation will help shape and execute J.Crew Group’s compensation philosophy and programs, with a primary focus on base pay and short-term incentive programs. Reporting to the Director, Compensation & Benefits, this individual will lead critical components of the annual compensation cycle, provide expert guidance to HR and business leaders, and support the continued evolution of the company’s compensation frameworks. The role will help ensure that compensation programs remain competitive, equitable, scalable and compliant across our global organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation and ongoing optimization of compensation structures, salary ranges and short-term incentive programs.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR Business Partners and senior business leaders on complex compensation matters, including new-hire offers, promotions, pay adjustments and organizational changes.
• Own and drive key components of the annual compensation planning process, including data preparation, financial modeling, budgeting support, system execution and executive-ready insights.
• Lead job evaluation and market-pricing activities, ensuring alignment with internal equity, external competitiveness and evolving business needs.
• Analyze compensation data, workforce trends and external market practices to develop actionable recommendations for leadership and inform program enhancements.
• Partner cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Payroll and Store Operations to ensure the accurate and timely execution of compensation programs, including incentive and bonus payments.
• Oversee compensation operations and related Workday processes, including EIBs, with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, controls and scalability.
• Lead participation in compensation surveys and benchmarking initiatives, translating findings into meaningful insights and recommendations for leadership.
• Develop and deliver compensation training, tools and communications that strengthen compensation knowledge and decision-making across HR and business leadership.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on compensation policies, programs, processes and governance during annual planning cycles and throughout the year.
• Monitor compliance with applicable federal, state and local compensation laws and regulations, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Pay Act and pay-transparency requirements.
• Proactively identify and mitigate compensation-related risks through regular audits, data reviews, process controls and governance practices.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve data integrity and adopt relevant market-leading practices.
• Lead and support special compensation initiatives, including program design, global harmonization, organizational changes and system or process enhancements.

Qualifications

• Six or more years of progressive experience in compensation or total rewards.
• Demonstrated experience leading key components of annual compensation cycles and advising senior stakeholders on complex pay decisions.
• Strong analytical and financial-modeling capabilities, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with Workday compensation processes, data management and mass-data transactions.
• Strong knowledge of compensation principles, market practices and applicable employment and pay regulations.
• Knowledge and Experience of Equity Plan designs and systems is a plus.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to translate complex data into clear, practical and actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication, consultation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Health & Well-being - Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.
• Associate Discount - We love our products just as much as you do! That’s why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).
• Summer Fridays - In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months.
• Community Impact - We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.
• Winter Break - In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.

Note: Availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to work location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements.

At J.Crew Group (JCG) we aim to pay competitively for our company’s size and industry. The base salary offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region of work premises, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. The base salary is just one component of J.Crew Group’s competitive total rewards strategy that also includes the opportunity for bonus, competitive benefits and perks.

One of our core focuses here at JCG is creating a community and culture that builds belonging. We are deeply committed to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, and we warmly welcome job applicants of all backgrounds.

JCG is proud to affirmatively provide equal opportunity to all associates and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, legally protected physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected under applicable law.