Director of Compensation

GQR; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

GQR is seeking a Director of Compensation & Equity to shape and execute compensation strategies within a technology-driven environment. This role demands a seasoned professional with expertise in health tech, fintech, or similar sectors.

The successful candidate will lead compensation planning, oversee equity programs, and partner with executives to evolve compensation philosophies, ensuring programs remain competitive and aligned with business objectives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive compensation and total rewards experience.
• Strong preference for candidates from health tech, fintech, or advanced technology environments.
• Demonstrated success partnering with executive leadership on strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide compensation planning cycles.
• Design and refine compensation frameworks across functions.
• Oversee equity compensation programs and compliance.

Skills

Leadership in compensation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Experience with HRIS

Tools

Workday

ADP

Paylocity

Carta

Job description

Our client is a rapidly scaling, enterprise-level technology organization operating within the digital health and innovation space. With a large and highly specialized workforce across corporate, technical, and clinical functions, the company is focused on building sophisticated compensation and equity programs that support continued growth, retention, and organizational scalability.

Job Summary

The Director of Compensation & Equity will serve as a senior leader responsible for shaping and executing enterprise-wide compensation and equity strategies within a high-growth, technology-driven environment. This role requires a seasoned compensation professional with deep expertise supporting complex organizations in the health tech, fintech, SaaS, or broader advanced technology sectors.

The position will oversee broad-based compensation, executive and equity programs, job architecture initiatives, and acquisition-related compensation integration efforts. This individual will partner closely with executive leadership, Finance, HR, Talent Acquisition, and Board-level stakeholders to ensure compensation programs remain competitive, scalable, data-driven, and aligned with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide compensation planning cycles, ensuring alignment with market data, internal equity, and organizational growth strategies.
• Design, refine, and scale compensation frameworks supporting technical, corporate, and specialized business functions.
• Drive the ongoing development and implementation of job architecture, leveling, and career progression structures across the organization.
• Oversee the strategy, administration, and governance of equity compensation programs, including grants, compliance, reporting, and employee education.
• Prepare and contribute to Board and Compensation Committee materials related to equity utilization, compensation strategy, and long-term incentive planning.
• Partner with executive leadership to evolve compensation philosophy and total rewards strategies in support of continued organizational expansion.
• Serve as the compensation lead for mergers, acquisitions, and integration activities, including harmonization of pay structures and equity programs.
• Collaborate with Finance to support compensation forecasting, budgeting, incentive planning, and financial alignment.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to develop competitive offer strategies that attract and retain top-tier talent while maintaining internal pay equity.
• Implement process improvements, automation, and AI-driven solutions to modernize compensation operations and reduce manual administrative work.
• Develop scalable reporting, analytics, and audit processes to ensure compensation data accuracy and operational integrity.
• Create innovative retention and incentive strategies targeted toward highly skilled and critical talent populations.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and development support to compensation team members while helping build a high-performing Total Rewards function.
• Ensure compensation programs and processes remain compliant, consistent, and scalable in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive compensation and total rewards experience, including significant leadership experience within high-growth organizations.
• Strong preference for candidates coming directly from health tech, fintech, SaaS, AI-driven, or other advanced technology environments.
• Proven expertise leading broad-based compensation, incentive programs, and equity administration within complex, fast-scaling businesses.
• Deep knowledge of compensation strategy, salary structures, market benchmarking, job architecture, and organizational leveling methodologies.
• Significant experience managing equity compensation programs and supporting Board-level compensation reporting and governance.
• Demonstrated success partnering with executive leadership teams on strategic compensation initiatives and organizational growth planning.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or large-scale organizational integration initiatives strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to translate complex compensation data into strategic business recommendations.
• Experience implementing automation, systems enhancements, or AI-driven process improvements within compensation or HR operations environments.
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities, including mentoring and developing high-performing team members.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and explain complex compensation concepts clearly.
• Systems-oriented mindset with experience building scalable, process-driven compensation operations.
• Experience working within HRIS and compensation platforms such as Workday, ADP, Paylocity, Carta, or similar technologies preferred.