Compensation Senior Manager

Forvis Mazars US; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Forvis Mazars US seeks a Compensation Senior Manager to lead enterprise compensation strategy, governance, and operations. You will partner with HR, Finance, Payroll, and Talent Acquisition to translate business priorities into scalable compensation solutions.

You will design and optimize base pay, incentives, and other programs, manage annual planning, and drive executive-ready analyses for senior leadership. This role requires strong analytical acumen and cross-functional influence.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant professional experience in compensation strategy, program design, governance and execution.
• Ability to advise senior executives and lead governance forums on complex compensation matters.
• Expertise in base pay, incentive compensation, market pricing, job evaluation, job architecture, pay equity, and annual planning.

Responsibilities

• Own and advance enterprise compensation strategy and governance.
• Serve as senior compensation expert and advisor to executives and stakeholders.
• Lead design, implementation, and optimization of base pay, incentives, recognition, and other programs.

Skills

Compensation strategy

Executive advisory

Base pay & incentive design

Market pricing

Job evaluation & architecture

Data analysis & Excel

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

CCP certification

PHR/SPHR certification

Tools

Workday

HRIS systems

Payroll systems

Job description

Description & Requirements

The Compensation Senior Manager provides enterprise leadership for the firm’s compensation strategy, programs, governance, and operations. This role leads the design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of competitive and equitable compensation programs; and serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex compensation matters. The Senior Manager partners closely with HR Business Partners, business leaders, Talent Acquisition, Finance, Payroll, HRIS, and other stakeholders to translate business priorities into scalable compensation solutions.

What You Will Do

• Own and advance the firm’s enterprise compensation strategy, ensuring alignment with business priorities, talent objectives, market practices, and the firm’s pay philosophy.
• Serve as the firm’s senior compensation subject matter expert and trusted advisor to executive leaders, business leaders, HR Business Partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead the design, implementation, administration, and ongoing optimization of base pay, incentive compensation, recognition, and other compensation programs.
• Direct annual compensation planning processes, including merit increases, promotions, market adjustments, and variable compensation awards, with responsibility for governance, communications, training, and execution.
• Develop and maintain compensation frameworks, salary structures, job architecture, career levels, and related policies that support internal equity, external competitiveness, and career progression.
• Lead enterprise market-pricing and benchmarking strategies across employee populations, including executive and other specialized roles, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Provide strategic consultation on complex compensation matters, including offers, retention arrangements, incentive design, organizational changes, and other business-specific pay decisions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness, competitiveness, and financial sustainability of compensation programs and recommend changes based on business priorities, workforce trends, and market intelligence.
• Oversee job analysis, job evaluation, market pricing, and pay-equity reviews, ensuring consistent application of compensation standards and sound judgment in complex or sensitive situations.
• Develop executive-ready analyses, models, dashboards, and recommendations that enable informed decision-making by senior leadership.
• Participate on the firm’s Compensation Committee, including establishing agendas, preparing decision materials and recommendations, facilitating discussions, documenting decisions, and ensuring timely follow-through.
• Establish and maintain compensation governance, controls, documentation, and approval processes that promote consistency, transparency, compliance, and operational discipline.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing compensation programs, including evolving pay transparency and pay equity requirements.
• Lead complex, cross-functional compensation initiatives and system enhancements, partnering with HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Talent Acquisition, and other stakeholders to deliver scalable solutions.
• Monitor emerging compensation practices, regulatory developments, and market trends; assess implications for the firm and advise senior leadership accordingly.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and quality oversight for compensation work, building strong capabilities, clear accountability, and effective partnerships across the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant professional experience, with demonstrated experience in compensation strategy, program design, governance, and execution within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated ability to advise senior executives and lead decision-making forums or governance committees on complex, high-impact compensation matters.
• Expertise in base pay, incentive compensation, market pricing, job evaluation, job architecture, pay equity, salary structures, and annual compensation planning.
• Experience working in a large, multi-location organization with operations across the United States; experience navigating varied business models or employee populations is strongly valued.
• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and influencing outcomes across HR, Finance, Payroll, HRIS, Talent Acquisition, and business leadership.
• Exceptional analytical and business acumen, with the ability to interpret complex data, assess risk and tradeoffs, and translate findings into clear, executive-ready recommendations.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills, with demonstrated judgment, discretion, and credibility in handling sensitive compensation matters.
• Advanced Excel and data-modeling skills, with experience using compensation technology and HR systems to support scalable processes and decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, finance, or a related field.
• CCP (Certified Compensation Professional) certification; PHR or SPHR certification is also valued.
• Experience leading compensation strategy in a professional services or similarly complex, matrixed organization.
• Experience supporting executive compensation and preparing materials for senior leadership or governance committees.
• Experience working in a global capacity.
• Experience using Workday compensation management tools.

About

Forvis Mazars, LLP is an independent member of Forvis Mazars Global, a leading global professional services network. Ranked among the largest public accounting firms in the United States, our 7,000+ team members deliver assurance, tax, and consulting services to clients in all 50 states and internationally.

With a legacy spanning more than 100 years, we’re building something different. We are guided by a shared promise: Together, we create extraordinary experiences. That means delivering an Unmatched Client Experience while creating a workplace where relationships matter, learning fuels growth, and every person feels valued and supported to thrive.

What We Offer

Our robust total rewards program and flexible work environment reflect our commitment to people, careers, and well-being—empowering our team to grow and thrive while delivering exceptional service. To explore what makes working at Forvis Mazars special, visit www.forvismazars.us/careers.

Legal Notice

Forvis Mazars, LLP is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer in accordance with applicable law. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or other protected classifications. Know Your Rights

It is Forvis Mazars, LLP standard policy not to accept unsolicited referrals or resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.

Forvis Mazars, LLP expresses reserves the right not to consider any unsolicited referrals, resumes or CVs from vendors including and without limitation, search firms, staffing agencies, fee-based referral services, and recruiting agencies.

Forvis Mazars, LLP further reserves the right not to pay a fee to a recruiter or recruiting agency unless such recruiter or recruiting agency has a signed vendor agreement with Forvis Mazars, LLP. Any resume(s) or CV(s) submitted to anyone working for Forvis Mazars, LLP, or submitted to a Forvis Mazars, LLP general email, without having a Forvis Mazars, LLP vendor agreement in place, will be considered the property of Forvis Mazars, LLP.