Manager, Compensation

CDW; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus target 10%

Benefits overview

Job summary

CDW is seeking a senior compensation leader responsible for designing, governing, and optimizing enterprise compensation programs that align with business strategy. You will collaborate with senior leadership, Finance, Legal, IT, and HR to build competitive pay plans, analyze market data, and provide recommendations to executive leadership.

This role oversees annual merit and incentive cycles, job evaluations, and pay equity initiatives, ensuring regulatory compliance and effective governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher and 5+ years of compensation experience or 9+ years in the field.
• 1+ year of managerial experience.
• Experience with compensation plan design and administration.
• Familiarity with HR systems such as Workday.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, administration, and governance of enterprise compensation programs.
• Partner with senior leadership, Finance, Legal, IT, and HR stakeholders.
• Analyze market and internal pay data; provide executive recommendations.
• Support annual compensation processes including merit cycles and incentives.
• Oversee job evaluations and pay equity initiatives; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Drive compensation projects; build financial models; interpret market trends.
• Develop communication strategies for compensation programs.
• Lead annual compensation cycles and ensure equity and compliance.
• Coach and mentor team; manage priorities and deadlines.
• Stay current with market practices and regulatory changes.

Skills

Project management

Compensation program design

Workday familiarity

Data analysis

Communication

Leadership

Mentoring/coaching

Regulatory compliance

Survey data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Finance

Job description

Description

This role is responsible for leading the design, administration, and governance of enterprise compensation programs that align with business strategy and organizational objectives. The position partners closely with senior leadership, Finance, Legal, IT, and HR stakeholders to develop competitive compensation plans, analyze market and internal pay data, and provide recommendations to executive leadership. The individual will support annual compensation processes, including merit and incentive cycles, oversee job evaluations and pay equity initiatives, and ensure compliance with applicable compensation regulations. This leader will also drive compensation-related projects, build financial models, interpret market trends, and develop communication strategies for compensation programs.

What you will do

• Partners with Leadership to align compensation programs with the strategic objectives of the business.
• Manages compensation projects in cooperation with CWS, Legal, IT, and Finance.
• Analyzes compensation data including the building of financial models; identifies trends, draws conclusions and recommends appropriate action.
• Directs team in the development of new plans and maintenance of existing plans.
• Provide compensation review and recommendations to the Executive Committee.
• Develop communications in support of new compensation programs, or modifications to existing plans and programs.
• Leads annual compensation cycles including merit and variable pay reviews.
• Conducts job analysis and evaluation ensuring both internal and external equity and Legal compliance.
• Design and operational lead for all pay programs in purview.
• Stay current with market practices, governance policies and trends, legal and tax regulations.
• Manage programs and/or a team of coworkers through clear communication of goals and expectations.

What we expect of you

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years' compensation experience OR 9+ years' compensation experience
• 1+ year of managerial experience
• Project management skills - plan, anticipate, proactively deliver.
• Experience with compensation plan design and administration.
• Familiarity with HR systems such as Workday
• Thorough understanding of compensation regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor others.
• Strong analytical and spreadsheet skills with critical attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to administer external and internal surveys and interpret survey data.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with all stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• History of balancing competing priorities with the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the business while meeting deadlines.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation and membership in the World at Work, is a plus.
• Certified Equity Professional (CEP), is a plus.

Pay range: 125,000 - $174,600 depending on experience and skill set
Annual bonus target of 10% subject to terms and conditions of plan
Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/
Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials

CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization

As a leader, you will champion and be accountable for our vision of becoming an AI-fluent organization. We expect leaders to model curiosity, encourage responsible AI adoption, and foster a culture of continuous learning. You don't need deep technical expertise, but you should be comfortable exploring how AI can enhance strategy, decision-making, and team performance. Your role includes guiding others in building confidence and capability with AI tools and practices, while promoting openness to experimentation and shared learning.

Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that's curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what's possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.

About Us

CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what's possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn't just what we do-it's how we do it. At CDW we act as one-building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win-focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward-staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That's why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees-working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities.

As a fullstack, fulllifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what's next.

Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do. Together, we Make Amazing Happen.

CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.