Lead Stock Plan Consultant

Global Payments; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Payments is seeking a Principal Stock Plan Consultant to lead the design, governance, and optimization of global equity compensation programs. You will partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure plans are competitive, compliant, and aligned with business objectives.

You will drive complex initiatives in stock plan design, ensure ASC 718 compliance, and support executive compensation discussions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combo of education/experience.
• CEP designation preferred.
• 8–12 years’ experience in public/private company equity compensation or executive compensation.
• Deep expertise in global equity programs including tax and regulatory considerations.
• Strong knowledge of ASC 718 and equity reporting.
• Experience with equity administration systems (E*TRADE, Fidelity, Shareworks, Equity Edge).
• Exposure to executive compensation design and Compensation Committee support.
• Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and advanced Excel (pivot tables, vlookups, graphs).
• Ability to analyze complex data and develop sound recommendations and solutions.
• Excellent problem solving, independent decision making, and time management.

Responsibilities

• Lead equity compensation strategy and design evolution for programs (RSUs, stock options, performance shares, ESPP).
• Align equity programs with talent, retention, and shareholder goals in collaboration with Total Rewards and LTI leadership.
• Rollout and govern global equity programs ensuring scalability and compliance.
• Benchmark programs against market practices and recommend data-driven improvements.
• Ensure compliance with global tax, ASC 718, securities, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee plan governance, documentation, processes, and internal controls.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, and Executive Compensation on disclosures, filings, and audits.
• Support M&A, global expansion, and transactions impacting equity.
• Serve as escalation point for complex employee and executive equity issues.
• Analyze and report on equity metrics (pool usage, burn rate, dilution, financial impact).
• Support financial reporting, forecasting, and modeling; provide insights for planning and board decisions.

Skills

Equity compensation strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

Compliance ASC 718

Data analysis

Advanced Excel

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration/human resources or related field

CEP designation preferred

Tools

E*TRADE

Fidelity

Shareworks

Equity Edge

Job description

Job Description Ready to take your career global? Make your mark at one of the biggest names in payments. We’re looking for a Principal Stock Plan Consultant to join our ever evolving Global Compensation team and help shape the future of global commerce. This role will report directly to the Director Long-Term Incentives & Retention within the Total Rewards function, and would be responsible for the design, administration, governance, and strategic optimization of global equity compensation programs. This role partners closely with executive leadership, HR, Legal, Tax, Finance, and external vendors to ensure equity plans are competitive, compliant, and aligned with business objectives. The Principal Consultant provides thought leadership, drives process excellence, and leads complex initiatives related to stock plan design and execution. This role will be a hybrid role located in our Cincinnati, OH or Atlanta, GA offices.

What you will own

• Lead equity compensation strategy, including design and evolution of programs (e.g. RSUs, stock options, performance shares, ESPP).
• Partner with Total Rewards and LTI leadership to align equity programs with talent, retention, and shareholder goals.
• Manage global equity program rollout and expansion, ensuring compliance and scalability.
• Benchmark programs against market practices and recommend data-driven improvements.
• Ensure compliance with global tax, accounting (ASC 718), securities, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee plan governance, documentation, processes, and internal controls.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, and Executive Compensation on proxy disclosures, filings, and audits.
• Collaborate cross-functionally (HR, Payroll, Accounting, Tax) to execute equity programs effectively.
• Support M&A, global expansion, and other transactions impacting equity.
• Serve as escalation point for complex employee and executive equity issues.
• Analyze and report on equity metrics (pool usage, burn rate, dilution, financial impact).
• Support financial reporting, forecasting, and modeling.
• Provide insights for compensation planning and board-level decisions.
• Develop clear communications and educate stakeholders on equity programs.
• Support executive compensation discussions with leadership and the Board/Comp Committee.
• Other related duties assigned as needed.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources or related field or the equivalent combination of education, training, or work experience. CEP (Certified Equity Professional) designation preferred. Eight to twelve years’ professional level experience in public and/or private company equity compensation, stock plan administration or executive compensation. Deep expertise in global equity programs, including tax and regulatory considerations. Strong knowledge of accounting standards (ASC 718) and equity reporting. Experience working with equity administration systems (e.g., E*TRADE, Fidelity, Shareworks, Equity Edge). Exposure to executive compensation design and Compensation Committee support Mastery in PC skills including Word, PowerPoint and advanced Excel - must be proficient in pivot tables, vlookups, graphing, formulas and functions. Ability to analyze complex data and develop sound recommendations and solutions. Exceptional mathematics skills. Strong interpersonal skills in dealing with top management Excellent problem solving, independent decision making, analytical and time management skills managing multiple tasks/deadlines for self and others.

About the team

Our inclusive and global teams win together every day. We’re proud to have the best minds in the industry, who you can learn from as you grow your career. The people, the energy, the connections – it’s unmatched. Come and be part of an ever-evolving company and get dynamic opportunities that go beyond borders.

What makes a Globalpayer?

Globalpayers think like a client, act like an owner and win as one team. We’re curious and innovative – always finding better ways to deliver impact. We empower each other to make decisions, and it’s our passion that drives excellence in everything we set out to do.

Does this sound like you? Then you sound like a Globalpayer.

Global Payments is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here. If you are made a conditional offer of employment and will be working in the United States, you will be required to undergo a drug test. In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies and requirements needed to successfully perform the position. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with qualified disabilities both during the hiring process, as well as to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, if hired.

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At Global Payments (NYSE : GPN), we empower simple, fast, secure payments for everyone. And to do that, we’ve built a complete, worldwide commerce ecosystem that delivers software and services at scale to millions of companies around the world—from ambitious startups to global enterprises. Our team of 27,000 experts is dedicated to your success. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we're a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500 with worldwide reach spanning North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Wherever you are—or wherever you want to be—we’re there, ready to support you. For more information, visit company.globalpayments.com and follow Global Payments on X, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Global Payments Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Global Payments provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify [e-mail].