Principal Total Rewards Consultant

AppLovin; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Global Total Rewards Consultant to shape and implement compensation and benefits strategies across diverse global markets. This role will involve collaborating with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to drive data-driven rewards programs that align with business goals. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in global compensation, particularly within the technology sector, and will be adept at leading complex projects while fostering strong relationships across teams. A commitment to innovation and excellence will be key in enhancing employee engagement and ensuring competitive compensation practices.

Benefits

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Equity Compensation

Flexible Work Hours

Performance Bonuses

Qualifications

• 12+ years in global compensation and benefits, with expertise in USA, EMEA, and APAC.
• Proven leadership in total rewards strategies within the technology industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of global total rewards programs aligned with business objectives.
• Drive innovation in compensation practices to enhance employee engagement and retention.

Skills

Global Compensation Strategy

Benefits Design

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

BA/BS degree

Advanced degree or relevant certification (e.g., CCP, CEBS, GRP)

Tools

Workday Advanced Compensation

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

AppLovin makes technologies that help businesses of every size connect to their ideal customers. The company provides end-to-end software and AI solutions for businesses to reach, monetize and grow their global audiences. For more information about AppLovin, visit: www.applovin.com.

To deliver on this mission, our global team is composed of team members with life experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives that mirror our developers and customers around the world. At AppLovin, we are intentional about the team and culture we are building, seeking candidates who are outstanding in their own right and also demonstrate their support of others.

Fortune recognizes AppLovin as one of the Best Workplaces in the Bay Area, and the company has been a Certified Great Place to Work for the last four years (2021-2024). Check out the rest of our awards HERE.

About the Role:

As the Principal Global Total Rewards Consultant, you will take on a key role within the AppLovin Total Rewards team, driving compensation and benefits strategy and execution across the USA and key global regions including EMEA and APAC, with LATAM experience being a plus. You will work closely with the Director of Global Total Rewards and People leadership team, cross-functional partners, and regional leaders to implement sophisticated, data-driven rewards programs that align with AppLovin’s compensation philosophy and long-term business goals. In this principal consultant capacity, you will drive total rewards initiatives on a global scale, providing strategic insight and guidance to ensure competitiveness and market alignment across diverse markets.

Quarterly travel and flexibility to work across different time zones may be required to collaborate effectively with global teams. This role is based in Palo Alto with an in-office presence required one day per week (Wednesdays).

The Impact You’ll Make:

1. Serve as a key strategic partner for senior leaders and stakeholders, including HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Finance, and the People Leadership team.
2. Lead the design and execution of comprehensive global total rewards programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives, market competitiveness, and internal equity across the USA, EMEA, and APAC regions, with LATAM experience as a plus.
3. Develop and manage complex compensation frameworks, including base salary, and incentives (cash and equity), ensuring compliance with both global standards and local statutory requirements across all regions.
4. Spearhead advanced analytical modeling to provide critical insights into compensation trends, pay structures, and market positioning, guiding executive decision-making across multiple markets.
5. Lead benchmarking processes across multiple regions, ensuring that compensation, benefits, and reward packages remain competitive and tailored to attract top talent in diverse markets.
6. Oversee the integration of compensation structures into Workday, including the management of the Advanced Compensation module and automation of annual compensation cycles.
7. Drive innovation in compensation and benefits practices, staying ahead of industry trends and implementing new programs to enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention across global teams.
8. Take ownership of complex, high-impact projects that span global total rewards initiatives, ensuring on-time delivery and cross-functional alignment.
9. Lead change management efforts and spearhead communication strategies related to compensation and benefits initiatives, ensuring seamless adoption across global teams.

Who You Are:

1. BA/BS degree or equivalent experience; advanced degree or relevant certification (e.g., CCP, CEBS, GRP) is highly preferred.
2. 12+ years of progressive experience in global compensation and benefits, with strong expertise in USA, EMEA, and APAC markets. LATAM experience is a strong plus.
3. Proven experience in leading global total rewards strategies within the technology industry, with a focus on competitive benchmarking and equity program design.
4. Expert understanding of compensation fundamentals, market analysis, and industry-specific trends, with a demonstrated ability to lead and influence high-impact initiatives across global regions.
5. Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a track record of delivering complex compensation and benefits recommendations to senior leadership.
6. Highly organized and able to lead multiple large-scale projects simultaneously, maintaining a keen eye for detail under tight deadlines.
7. Deep expertise in Workday Advanced Compensation and strong proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets, with advanced knowledge of compensation-related systems and processes.
8. Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders, and navigate complex organizational dynamics across global teams.
9. A self-starter with a global mindset, able to work independently while leading cross-functional teams through complex projects and initiatives in a dynamic, high-growth environment.
10. Willingness to travel as needed and work across different time zones to accommodate global teams.

AppLovin provides a competitive total compensation package with a pay for performance rewards approach. Total compensation at AppLovin is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Depending on the position offered, equity, and other forms of incentive compensation (as applicable) may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to dental, vision, and other benefits.

CA Base Pay Range: $147,000 - $221,000 USD

AppLovin has become aware of a scam targeting jobseekers with fake “app optimization” and similar roles. We do not ask our candidates to download apps or make any form of payment(s). AppLovin works with applicants through our Careers page and applovin.com email addresses. If you are contacted through other unofficial channels(such as WhatsApp or Telegram) or asked to download an app or make a payment, these contacts are not legitimate.

AppLovin is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or other legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send us a request at [e-mail].