Sales Compensation Strategy Analyst

Guaranteed Rate, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Vacation

Medical, dental, vision

Flexible benefits

Life insurance

Commuter benefits

Pet insurance

Wellness resources

Job summary

Guaranteed Rate, Inc. in Chicago is seeking a Sales Compensation Strategy Analyst to help evaluate, benchmark, and structure compensation for Loan Originators.

This role sits at the crossroads of analytics, finance, and sales strategy, partnering with Sales Leadership to ensure competitive, compliant plans that protect margins. Reporting to the Chief Analytics Officer, you will build dashboards, perform scenario modeling, and provide data-driven insights for talent acquisition and retention,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a finance/analytics field.
• Strong experience building financial models and P&L analysis.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and audit Loan Originator compensation plans against benchmarks and regulatory requirements.
• Model compensation scenarios and assess P&L impact across production volumes.
• Benchmark compensation against peers and industry surveys.

Skills

SQL

Python

Excel

Tableau/Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Economics/Analytics

Tools

Encompass

Job description

Rate is one of the nation’s top retail mortgage lenders, delivering a seamless, tech-driven experience that helps customers reach their homeownership and financial goals. Founded in 2000 and based in Chicago, Rate is licensed in all 50 states and D.C. and has helped over 2 million homeowners with a wide range of loan products, competitive rates and personalized service.

Job Profile

Sales Compensation Strategy Analyst

Job Description Summary

We are committed to providing a competitive and equitable total rewards package. The compensation for this role is designed to attract, retain, and motivate top talent. The expected base salary range for this position is $100,000 to $150,000 annually.

Position Overview

Rate is seeking a detail-oriented and analytically driven Loan Originator Compensation Analyst to join our team. Reporting directly to the Chief Analytics Officer, this individual will play a critical role in evaluating, benchmarking, and structuring compensation plans for our Loan Originator workforce. This role sits at the nexus of analytics, finance, and sales strategy — partnering closely with Sales Leadership to ensure that Rate's compensation offerings remain competitive in the marketplace while maintaining financial discipline and protecting company margins.

Key Responsibilities

• Compensation Plan Review & Analysis: Evaluate and audit existing Loan Originator compensation plans for alignment with market benchmarks, regulatory requirements, and company financial goals.
• Model compensation scenarios to project the P&L impact of proposed plan changes across varying production volumes and market conditions.
• Identify outliers, anomalies, or inefficiencies in current compensation structures and present findings with recommended corrective actions.
• Track and analyze compensation trends specific to the residential mortgage lending industry.
• Competitive Market Intelligence: Conduct ongoing competitive analysis of Loan Originator compensation packages across peer lenders and the broader mortgage market.
• Benchmark Rate's compensation plans against industry data sources and third-party compensation surveys to inform strategic positioning.
• Provide Sales Leadership with data-driven insights to support talent acquisition and retention efforts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Sales Leadership to understand field-level dynamics, production drivers, and market pressures impacting Loan Originator performance and satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Finance and Legal to ensure all compensation structures comply with applicable regulations, including CFPB guidelines and RESPA requirements.
• Serve as an analytical resource for HR and Talent Acquisition when structuring offers for new Loan Originator hires.
• Present compensation analyses and recommendations to senior stakeholders, including the CAO and Sales Leadership team, in a clear and compelling format.
• Reporting & Documentation: Develop and maintain dashboards and reports that monitor key compensation metrics, including cost-per-loan, total compensation ratios, and plan utilization rates.
• Build and analyze financial statements at the cost center, department, company, and consolidated company level to assess the financial impact of compensation decisions.
• Maintain thorough documentation of all compensation plans, amendments, and modeling assumptions.
• Support audit and compliance reviews as needed by providing structured compensation data and analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Analytics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in compensation analysis, financial modeling, or a related analytical role, preferably within financial services or mortgage lending.
• Deep understanding of financial statements with hands‑on ability to build and analyze P&L, balance sheet, and cost‑center reporting at the department, company, and consolidated entity level.
• Deep proficiency in SQL is required; ability to work in Python is a must.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced modeling, pivot tables, scenario analysis); experience with BI tools (Tableau, Power BI) is a plus.
• Familiarity with Loan Originator compensation regulations, including LO comp rules under Dodd‑Frank and CFPB guidelines.
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both Sales Leadership and Executive Management.
• Preferred: Experience working at a mortgage lender, bank, or financial institution in a compensation or analytics capacity.
• Preferred: Exposure to sales incentive design and variable pay structures.
• Preferred: Familiarity with LOS platforms (Encompass, Byte, etc.) and compensation management software.
• Preferred: MBA or advanced degree in a quantitative discipline.

Benefits

• Company-sponsored 401(k) eligibility.
• Vacation benefits.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts).
• Life insurance and death benefits.
• Critical care insurance.
• Personal accidental insurance.
• Commuter benefits.
• Pet insurance.
• Other supplemental benefits (legal planning assistance, identity theft protection, wellness resources).

EEO Statement

Rate is an Equal Opportunity Employer that welcomes and encourages all applicants to apply regardless of age, race, sex, religion, color, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital or parental status, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy or other reason protected by law.