Senior Global Compensation Lead

Clearwater Analytics (CWAN); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/vision/dental insurance

401(k)

PTO

Parental leave

Medical leave

STD/LTD insurance

Job summary

Clearwater Analytics is seeking a Senior Global Compensation Lead to design and maintain salary structures, bands, and job architecture across regions, partnering with HR, Finance, and business leaders to ensure competitive and equitable pay that aligns with growth plans.

The role emphasizes data-driven analyses, market benchmarking, and leadership-facing insights, including ownership of merit and incentive design, budgeting models, and scalable compensation-review processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in global compensation.
• Expertise in job architecture, market benchmarking, pay grades.
• Strong analytical skills with Excel and HRIS/compensation tools.
• Experience influencing senior leadership on compensation decisions.
• Detail-oriented with strong communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of global salary structures, pay grades, and compensation bands across regions.
• Manage job architecture, leveling, and job evaluation processes to ensure consistency and fairness globally.
• Monitor regulatory and compliance requirements related to compensation.
• Market Data & Benchmarking: Own vendor relationships for market data surveys, provide actionable insights on pay trends.
• Compensation Programs: Support design and administration of merit, bonus, and incentive programs; model budgets and forecasting.

Skills

Market benchmarking

Job architecture

Pay grades

Advanced analytics

Excel

HRIS (Workday) experience

Tools

Workday

Job description

At Clearwater Analytics, compensation isn't just an HR function — it's a strategic lever. We're a high-growth global fintech company, and as we expand our footprint across regions and business lines, we're looking for a sharp, analytical comp professional to help build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps us competitive.As our Senior Global Compensation Lead, you'll be a key contributor to our global compensation strategy — influencing senior leaders with data, partnering with HR and business leaders, and developing the frameworks that help Clearwater attract and retain top talent worldwide. If you're energized by solving complex pay challenges, working cross-functionally, and growing your scope alongside a scaling company, this is the role for you.You will partner closely with HR leadership, Finance, and business leaders to ensure compensation practices are competitive, equitable, and aligned with Clearwater's growth strategy.Key Responsibilities:Global Compensation OwnershipLead the design, implementation, and maintenance of salary structures, pay grades, and compensation bands across regions.Manage job architecture, leveling, and job evaluation processes to ensure consistency and fairness globally.Monitor regulatory and compliance requirements related to compensation.Market Data & BenchmarkingOwn vendor relationships for market data surveys and tools.Conduct regular market analyses to ensure Clearwater remains competitive in all regions.Provide actionable insights on pay trends, equity, and internal parity.Compensation ProgramsSupport design and administration of annual merit, bonus, and incentive programs.Partner with Finance and HRBPs to model compensation budgets and forecasting scenarios.Deliver clear reporting and analytics to inform executive decision-making.Process & ToolsDevelop scalable processes for compensation review cycles and job evaluations.Ensure HRIS and compensation systems are optimized for accurate data and reporting.Establish documentation, guidelines, and training for managers and HR partners.Requirements:5+ years of progressive experience in compensation analysis, preferably in a global or high-growth technology/financial services company.Strong expertise in job architecture, market benchmarking, pay grades, and compensation frameworks.Advanced analytical skills, with proficiency in Excel and HRIS/compensation tools (Workday experience a plus).Experience working directly with senior leadership to influence and guide compensation decisions.Highly detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable operating in both strategic and tactical capacities.Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex data in a clear, concise way.Consulting experience is a plusSalary Range$130,000-$180,000This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, other job-related qualifications/skills, and geographic location (to account for comparative cost of living). The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. For this role, benefits include: health/vision/dental insurance, 401(k), PTO, parental leave, and medical leave, STD/LTD insurance benefits. Clearwater Analytics is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected classSalary Range$85,000.00 - $120,000.00This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, other job-related qualifications/skills, and geographic location (to account for comparative cost of living). The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. For this role, benefits include: health/vision/dental insurance, 401(k), PTO, parental leave, and medical leave, STD/LTD insurance benefits. Clearwater Analytics is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.