Head of Sales Incentive Analytics

Transamerica; Cedar Rapids (IA); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Transamerica is seeking a seasoned Sales Compensation Lead to design, govern, and optimize complex incentive programs. You will partner with HR, Finance, Sales Leadership, and Operations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payout outcomes across a broad population of internal wholesalers.

You will drive automation, manage multi-million-dollar revenue sharing arrangements, and mentor junior analysts while influencing senior stakeholders to align compensation with enterprise strategy.

Qualifications

• Seven years of progressive experience in sales compensation, incentive administration, finance, accounting, or a related analytical role.
• Advanced understanding of sales incentive plans, compensation structures, contracts, and sales processes.
• Hands-on experience with Anaplan or other commission/incentive compensation systems.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze large, complex datasets and synthesize insights for decision-makers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills applied to ambiguous or high-impact compensation issues.
• Proven ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders across Total Rewards, HR, Finance, Payroll, Sales Operations, and Sales Leadership.
• Exceptional attention to detail, judgment, and accountability in high-stakes financial processes.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel; working knowledge of Word and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end ownership of sales incentive compensation programs, including plan design support, operational execution, governance, and ongoing optimization in partnership with Total Rewards.
• Lead the monthly and periodic commission payment lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, auditability, and timely submission to Payroll while proactively managing risks and exceptions.
• Administer firm revenue sharing agreements with distribution partners, including calculation, reconciliation, and timely payment of millions of dollars in contractual payments, ensuring accuracy and compliance with contractual terms.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex compensation issues, disputes, and interpretation of plan documents, exercising judgment and providing clear, defensible resolutions.
• Act as a strategic advisor to Sales Leadership and HR partners, translating compensation mechanics into business-aligned insights and recommendations.
• Drive automation, scalability, and process efficiency by defining technical requirements, partnering with Sales Operations and Sales Reporting, and influencing roadmap priorities.
• Own data integrity and control frameworks supporting incentive compensation, ensuring consistency, quality, and governance of sales and payout data.
• Lead plan revision cycles and policy enhancements, identifying opportunities to improve design effectiveness, operational efficiency, and employee understanding.
• Draft, review, and validate incentive plan documents, ensuring clarity, compliance, and alignment with enterprise compensation philosophy.
• Develop and deliver clear communications and training on compensation plans, mechanics, and policies for sales employees, managers, and leaders.
• Mentor and provide informal leadership to junior analysts, sharing best practices and elevating team capability.

Skills

Sales compensation

Incentive administration

Finance & accounting

Anaplan

Data analysis

Stakeholder influence

Excel advanced

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent experience

Tools

Anaplan

Job description

Transamerica is seeking a seasoned Sales Compensation Lead to design, govern, and optimize complex incentive programs. You will partner with HR, Finance, Sales Leadership, and Operations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payout outcomes across a broad population of internal wholesalers.

You will drive automation, manage multi-million-dollar revenue sharing arrangements, and mentor junior analysts while influencing senior stakeholders to align compensation with enterprise strategy.