Compensation Manager

Woodward HRT/MPC; Zeeland (MI); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus opportunity

401(k) match

Stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Health insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Woodward HRT/MPC in the United States is seeking a Compensation Manager to align compensation programs with business objectives and lead expert consultation across enterprise-wide compensation initiatives. You will partner with HR leaders and finance to design market-based structures and administer annual compensation processes.

The role requires building relationships, driving analytics, and ensuring compliance across diverse HR, Legal, and IT teams in a global environment.

Qualifications

• 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 global organizations with multiple businesses or regions.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems (Workday) and advanced Excel knowledge.
• Strong written and verbal communication and ability to present complex concepts to executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead compensation support for a business segment as principal consultant.
• Provide strategic consultation based on data analysis and market practices.
• Participate in incentive program design and bonus payments administration.
• Support annual salary planning, system configuration, training materials, and audits.
• Monitor market benchmarks to maintain accurate pricing and salary structures.
• Govern enterprise Career Framework and maintain market alignment.
• Ensure compliance with laws, governance, and pay equity requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement of compensation systems and processes.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Legal, and HR Technology across the enterprise.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Workday

Excel

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.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

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: $108,000 - $155,000

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

• 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

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 communication skills with the ability to present complex compensation concepts clearly to executive, business, and HR audiences.

Application window is anticipated to close 14 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position. The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons.

For the Rockford and Niles, IL and Zeeland, MI locations: This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.

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