Equity & Deferred Compensation Manager

Hybrid (based in Chicago/Northbrook) – 3 days in the office

The Manager, Equity & Deferred Compensation will be part of the global Total Rewards team and report directly to the Executive Compensation Director. This role will be responsible for the end-to-end administration of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, equity awards (including vesting and exercise processing), and Deferred Compensation Plan. This role ensures compliance with applicable laws, SOX controls, and company policies while delivering a seamless participant experience. The position partners closely with Payroll, Finance, Legal, and external plan vendors, and serves as the subject matter expert for equity, stock purchase, and deferred compensation programs.

Responsibilities:

• Administer all aspects of the ESPP, equity awards, and Deferred Compensation Plan, including enrollments, elections, vesting, exercises, distributions, and participant communications
• Ensure accurate payroll deductions, contributions, share transactions, and transfers in coordination with Payroll and external vendors
• Oversee annual enrollment periods, equity grant cycles, plan amendments, and participant outreach
• Manage equity award lifecycle events, including grant issuance, vesting schedules, option exercises, and share settlements
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of stock transactions in equity systems and with brokerage partners
• Collaborate with the Finance and Accounting teams to facilitate accurate and timely financial reporting related to equity programs
• Identify opportunities for process enhancements and automation, increasing efficiency and reducing operational risks
• Maintain compliance with IRS, SEC, ERISA, and other applicable regulations governing compensation and equity programs
• Implement and monitor SOX controls related to plan administration, reconciliations, and financial reporting
• Support internal and external audits, providing documentation and responses as needed
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting plans and recommend adjustments
• Serve as primary liaison with plan recordkeepers, brokers, and administrators
• Negotiate and monitor service-level agreements with vendors
• Partner with Finance, Payroll, and Legal on design changes, funding, and compliance matters
• Develop clear, engaging communication materials to promote understanding of equity and deferred compensation plans
• Respond to employee inquiries in a timely and professional manner
• Stay current with industry trends, benchmarks, and best practices
• Support ad hoc projects as needed to support team functions

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Finance, Accounting, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an analytical role, financial reporting, SOX audit, or similar in a public company setting, and 5 years focused on equity
• Experience administering Deferred Compensation is preferred
• Experience using equity administration systems, preferably Fidelity PSW equity platform
• Knowledge of SOX controls and experience implementing or maintaining them
• Analytical, forward-thinking, and solution focused professional with excellent attention to detail and accuracy and the ability to manage complex data sets and calculations
• High level of proficiency with Excel (pivot tables, formulas, etc.), PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, and similar functions
• Comfort performing data gathering/validation, reconciliations, and audit
• Strong verbal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate with various teams across the organization and employees at all levels
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work independently and with others, multi-task, prioritize, follow through, and meet deadlines within a fast-paced work environment
• Certified Equity Professional (CEP) is preferred

Total Rewards: We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $120,000 to $160,000 and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 20% of the base salary. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full-time employees with paid time off including vacation (15 days), holiday including floating holidays (12 days) and sick time off (72 hours).

#LI-SG2

#LI-Hybrid