Sales Compensation Manager - United States

Cornerstone OnDemand; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone OnDemand is seeking a Sales Compensation Manager to lead a global compensation team. You will mentor a Sales Compensation Analyst while handling end‑to‑end commission cycles and partnering with Sales, Finance, and Operations to ensure timely, accurate pay and insightful reporting.

You will independently execute cycles, escalate ambiguous calls, and implement automation to scale compensation operations. This role blends strategy with hands‑on execution in a high‑visibility setting.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in sales compensation administration or related role at a SaaS company.
• 2+ years of people management experience, with a track record of developing a high‑performing team.
• Experience in full‑cycle sales compensation administration — calculations, crediting, draws, clawbacks and dispute resolution.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and recommend solutions.
• Hands‑on experience administrating a modern ICM tool (SPIFF preferred; Xactly, CaptivateIQ or similar acceptable).
• Familiarity with Salesforce reporting and CRM data.
• Strong Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets skills and a high bar for accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize competing initiatives, manage multiple deadlines, and lead through ambiguity while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
• Sound judgement handling confidential compensation data and clear, well‑structured communication.
• Experience partnering with geographically dispersed teams.
• A team player with a positive “can do” attitude

Responsibilities

• Coach, mentor, and develop a Sales Compensation Analyst through regular feedback, prioritization, and professional development.
• Own the quality and accuracy of commission processing for assigned business units, providing oversight and quality assurance for work completed by the Sales Compensation Analyst.
• Execute monthly and quarterly commission calculations accurately and on schedule.
• Produce commission statements and support monthly close and commission accrual processes in partnership with Finance.
• Identify process improvements that enhance the accuracy, scalability, and efficiency of sales compensation operations, including automation and system enhancements.
• Assist with the administration of the SPIFF incentive compensation management (ICM) platform, including maintaining plan configuration, payee assignments, quotas, and hierarchy management.
• Serve as the first point of contact for commission inquiries – investigating and resolving issues while providing exceptional customer support.
• Independently execute the commission calculation cycle with high-level direction, owning a defined scope and using established approaches to solve well‑defined problems.
• Deliver high-quality, well‑documented output that others can rely on, and communicate clear, concise updates to stakeholders.
• Gather feedback from payees and validate that solutions address any underlying issue.

Skills

Sales compensation

People management

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication

Tools

SPIFF

Xactly

CaptivateIQ

Salesforce

Excel/Google Sheets

Job description

We're looking for a Sales Compensation Manager to join our global sales compensation team. We are looking for a player-coach who will mentor a Sales Compensation Analyst while also serving as a hands‑on operator and strategic partner to our sales organization — owning end‑to‑end compensation administration for assigned teams.

This is a high‑visibility role at the intersection of Sales, Finance and Operations. You will help with the accurate, on‑time execution of our monthly and quarterly commission cycles and administer the compensation tooling that supports them. This role will be a key member of the sales compensation team: when payees are paid correctly and on time, and their questions are answered quickly, the whole GTM organization runs with more trust and less friction.

You will work with high‑level direction from your manager but be relied on to independently execute each commission cycle, escalating the genuinely ambiguous calls.

In this role you will...

• Coach, mentor, and develop a Sales Compensation Analyst through regular feedback, prioritization, and professional development.
• Own the quality and accuracy of commission processing for assigned business units, providing oversight and quality assurance for work completed by the Sales Compensation Analyst.
• Execute monthly and quarterly commission calculations accurately and on schedule.
• Produce commission statements and support monthly close and commission accrual processes in partnership with Finance.
• Identify process improvements that enhance the accuracy, scalability, and efficiency of sales compensation operations, including automation and system enhancements.
• Assist with the administration of the SPIFF incentive compensation management (ICM) platform, including maintaining plan configuration, payee assignments, quotas, and hierarchy management.
• Serve as the first point of contact for commission inquiries – investigating and resolving issues while providing exceptional customer support.
• Independently execute the commission calculation cycle with high-level direction, owning a defined scope and using established approaches to solve well‑defined problems.
• Deliver high-quality, well‑documented output that others can rely on, and communicate clear, concise updates to stakeholders.
• Gather feedback from payees and validate that solutions address any underlying issue.

You Have What It Takes If You Have...

• 6+ years in sales compensation administration or related role at a SaaS company.
• 2+ years of people management experience, with a track record of developing a high‑performing team.
• Experience in full‑cycle sales compensation administration — calculations, crediting, draws, clawbacks and dispute resolution.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and recommend solutions.
• Hands‑on experience administrating a modern ICM tool (SPIFF preferred; Xactly, CaptivateIQ or similar acceptable).
• Familiarity with Salesforce reporting and CRM data.
• Strong Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets skills and a high bar for accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize competing initiatives, manage multiple deadlines, and lead through ambiguity while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
• Sound judgement handling confidential compensation data and clear, well‑structured communication.
• Experience partnering with geographically dispersed teams.
• A team player with a positive “can do” attitude

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental commitment at Cornerstone OnDemand. All qualified applicants are given consideration regardless of race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class as provided in applicable Federal, State, or Local fair employment laws. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail]