Senior Lead, Sales Compensation – Data Management

The Vanguard Group; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vanguard Group in Malvern is seeking a senior professional to lead the design and ongoing improvement of sales compensation data frameworks, including data sourcing, transformation logic, reconciliation standards, and governance controls.

You will partner with Technology and data teams to shape system architecture, drive governance, and guide enterprise reporting on compensation health, risks, and improvements.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in sales compensation administration or related data roles.
• Ability to design scalable processes and data standards.
• Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders (Technology, Finance, HR, Governance).

Responsibilities

• Lead design and improvement of sales compensation data frameworks.
• Define data management strategy for compensation programs.
• Establish governance and data validation for accuracy and audit readiness.
• Partner with Technology and data teams to shape systems and tooling.
• Provide leadership and guidance on administration data practices and execution quality.
• Contribute to enterprise reporting dashboards and ongoing monitoring of compensation plan health.

Skills

Sales compensation

Data management

Incentive systems

Cross-functional influence

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Graduate degree preferred

Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) preferred

Job description

Responsibilities: Leads the design and continuous improvement of sales compensation data frameworks, including processes, workflows, and operating models to ensure consistency, scalability, and alignment with compensation design intent. Defines and oversees data management strategy supporting sales compensation programs, including data sourcing, transformation logic, reconciliation standards, and governance controls. Evaluates the effectiveness of administration processes and data systems, identifying gaps in scalability, accuracy, and efficiency; recommends structural improvements to enhance long‑term sustainability. Establishes and maintains control frameworks for compensation administration, including audit readiness, data validation methodologies, and maker‑checker processes to ensure accuracy and defensibility. Partners with Technology and data teams to shape system architecture, automation strategies, and tooling enhancements that reduce manual processes and improve operational effectiveness. Provides oversight of payout integrity by defining validation standards, monitoring results, and guiding resolution of complex issues. Serves as a senior advisor to cross‑functional partners by translating compensation design intent into operational requirements and data structures. Leads complex problem solving related to data discrepancies, system limitations, and process breakdowns, ensuring root causes are addressed at a structural level. Guides and influences Sales, Finance, HR, and Governance partners on implications of administration design choices, data integrity risks, and operational tradeoffs. Provides informal leadership and technical guidance to less experienced crew on administration processes, data practices, and system usage, establishing standards for execution and quality. Contributes to enterprise reporting frameworks, dashboards, and ongoing monitoring of compensation plan health, focusing on trends, risks, and improvement opportunities. Participates in cross‑functional initiatives related to sales compensation transformation, system evolution, and data strategy.

Qualifications: Six (6) or more years of related work experience, with significant focus on sales compensation administration, data management, incentive systems, or compensation operations. Demonstrated ability to design scalable processes, define data standards, and apply independent judgment in complex, ambiguous situations. Experience influencing cross‑functional stakeholders, including Technology, Finance, HR, and Governance partners. Strong understanding of data structures, reconciliation approaches, and system‑driven compensation processes. Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Graduate degree preferred. Progress toward or attainment of Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) preferred.

Special Factors Sponsorship Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission. To work for the long‑term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in‑person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission‑driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long‑term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience. Vanguard, one of the world's leading investment management companies, serves individual investors, institutions, employer‑sponsored retirement plans, and financial professionals.

We have a diverse and talented crew with a culture that promotes teamwork, along with an unwavering focus on serving our clients' best interests.