Lead Compensation Analyst | North America

Lead Compensation Analyst | North America

Opportunity: Direct Hire

Location: Charlotte, NC – Ballantyne Area

Hybrid Flexibility: 4 days onsite / 1 day remote

Compensation: $100K–$120K base (potential flexibility up to $130K for a strong fit) 12% bonus

Relocation Assistance: Available

Direct Reports: one employee

Position Overview

Our client, a well-established global financial services organization specializing in commercial vehicle financing for more than 40 years, is seeking an experienced Lead Compensation Analyst to lead compensation programs and strategic initiatives across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This highly visible role reports to the Head of Head of Human Resources and combines hands-on compensation analysis, strategic projects, and regional leadership responsibilities, including oversight of one direct report based in Mexico. The position will work closely with HR leadership, business partners, and global compensation teams to align compensation practices, enhance programs, and support organizational growth.

The ideal candidate brings a broad compensation background, strong analytical capabilities, and experience independently driving projects within a global, matrixed organization. Experience with market benchmarking, merit and bonus cycles, incentive compensation, job architecture, organizational design, and strategic projects would be valuable.

Key Responsibilities

Compensation Strategy & Regional Programs

• Lead the execution and alignment of compensation programs across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, ensuring consistency with global compensation strategies while addressing regional business needs.
• Take primary responsibility for compensation activities in the U.S. and Canada while providing guidance and oversight to 1 direct report based in Mexico.
• Manage annual compensation cycles, including merit increases, bonus planning, salary reviews, and compensation adjustments.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to provide compensation recommendations for new hires, promotions, internal transfers, and organizational changes.
• Support the development and administration of short- and long-term incentive programs, sales compensation plans, and employee recognition and rewards initiatives.

Market Analysis & Compensation Analytics

• Conduct market pricing, salary benchmarking, and compensation surveys to evaluate competitiveness and recommend adjustments to salary structures and compensation programs.
• Analyze internal and external compensation data to identify pay trends, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Utilize advanced Excel, including pivot tables, and Workday to develop compensation reports, dashboards, and analyses that support business decisions.
• Present compensation findings and recommendations to HR leadership and business stakeholders.

Organizational Design & Job Architecture

• Partner with HR and business leadership on organizational design, job evaluations, job leveling, and job architecture initiatives.
• Evaluate positions, responsibilities, and reporting structures to ensure appropriate job classifications and compensation alignment.
• Support organizational restructuring, workforce changes, and compensation-related projects.

Strategic Projects & Process Improvements

• Lead and coordinate regional compensation projects from planning through implementation, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations are met.
• Play a key role in upcoming initiatives involving Mexico compensation programs and sales incentive plan enhancements.
• Identify opportunities to improve compensation processes, reporting capabilities, and program effectiveness.
• Support Workday enhancements, system testing, data accuracy, and process automation to improve efficiency and reporting.

Global Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborate with HR leadership, HR Business Partners, and global compensation teams to align regional compensation practices with broader organizational objectives.
• Serve as a compensation subject matter expert, providing guidance on compensation policies, programs, and best practices.
• Coordinate with stakeholders across multiple countries and functions within a global, matrixed organization.
• Provide direction, support, and oversight to the compensation team member based in Mexico while remaining actively involved in day-to-day compensation activities.
• Ensure compensation practices comply with applicable regulations, internal policies, and regional requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field preferred, with 5 years of relevant compensation experience, or 8 years in lieu of a degree.
• Broad compensation experience, including market benchmarking, salary structures, merit and bonus cycles, and incentive compensation.
• Strong Workday and advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, reporting, and dashboards.
• Experience with compensation-related projects, organizational design, and job architecture.
• Ability to independently lead initiatives while remaining hands-on with analysis and execution.
• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience collaborating across a global, matrixed organization.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation.
• Compensation experience in Canada and/or Mexico.
• Spanish language proficiency.
• Project management and team leadership experience

Travel Expectations

• Potential travel to Germany for one-time training
• Anticipated quarterly travel to Mexico with the Head of HR
• Possible one-time travel to Portland, OR with the Head of HR

Benefits & Perks

• 12% annual bonus structure
• 401(k): Company match up to 6%, plus an additional employer contribution of 3–7% based on age
• 4 weeks of paid vacation to start
• 15 paid holidays
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance available
• Onsite gym
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Onsite fitness center
• Tuition assistance and professional development
• Paid volunteer time off
• Wellness programs and disability coverage

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced compensation professional seeking greater strategic exposure, regional responsibility, and leadership experience without moving into a traditional management role. You'll have the opportunity to influence compensation strategy across North America, lead meaningful projects, and collaborate with senior leaders in a well-established global organization offering outstanding benefits and long-term career growth.

Category Code: JN007, JN005

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SeniorityLevel: Mid-Senior