Director, Field Compensation Programs

Reporting to the Head of GWAM Retail Finance, the Director Field Compensation Programs, US Retail, leads a highly engaged Finance team that provides strategic support to the Sales & Distribution team through the oversight of Compensation administration, modeling, and planning.  This individual will need to have an understanding of the distribution strategy to ensure alignment with compensation and rewards programs supported by the team.  They will strongly collaborate with several key strategic partners including Distribution leaders, Human Resources, the Sales Compensation governance team, and Finance.  The position will provide opportunities to build on competencies such as business acumen, a transformation mindset and process improvements, relationship management, and agile thinking.    

Position Responsibilities:

• Oversee the variable incentive compensation process by ensuring accurate and timely calculation and processing of monthly, quarterly, and annual compensation payments.   

• Support the lifecycle of field staff, including handling offer letters, compensation statements, annual compensation letters, onboarding and offboarding, and reconciliations.

• On an annual and ongoing basis, partner with Sales leaders to architect incentive compensation plans that support strategic business focus and are optimized to drive profitable sales growth.   Contribute informed and objective viewpoints and insights. 

• Ensure those plans are accurately reflected and administered in the sales compensation system.

• Support annual Global Compensation Committee approval process of key compensation plans.

• Work closely with the CFO team and the Expense team to provide variance analysis, prepare reporting, and provide input for business forecasting related to sales compensation.  Ensure field compensation accruals are appropriate.

• Establish a high level of trust and build professional partnerships with our stakeholders in the business and Finance by providing quality information and insight to influence decision making.    

• Provide input to external industry surveys and interpret results as required.

• Respond to internal adhoc requests for detail and variance analysis from HR, ER, Sales Compensation Governance, and Distribution business leaders. 

• Use appropriate judgment in dealing with issues and requests, demonstrating an ability to effectively prioritize work, balance resource requirements, and determine solutions. 

• Adhere to and document processes and procedures that comply with Audit and Risk requirements.  Ensure that effective controls are in place throughout. 

• Proactively seek out and implement opportunities to improve efficiency and automation, reduce duplication, and minimize risk and errors, while ensuring precise calculation of incentive payments and production of statements.

Leadership

• Provide strong and inspirational leadership and coaching to a team of finance professionals with a focus on collaboration and development.  Responsible for performance management and team compensation.  

• Cultivate an innovative environment by supporting a change agent mindset.

• Ensure there is sufficient backup and coverage across the team to maintain continuity of critical business processes.

Required Qualifications:

• CPA with 5+ years of relevant experience in progressive accounting roles

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and proactive problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to work with complex financial issues and concepts

• Strong relationship-building, relationship management, and negotiation skills; ability to work effectively with team members and senior executives

• Customer focus and commitment to quality.  Strong attention to detail is a must.

• Demonstrated ability to innovate and drive process improvements, and motivate others to accept progress and change

• Excellent understanding of financial services sales professional accountability

• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and challenges

• High levels of collaboration; excellent written and oral communication / presentation skills

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently

• Comprehensive knowledge of sound business practices and controls, and accounting/audit principles applicable to Sales and Distribution

• Demonstrated leadership skills to inspire, engage and provide clear direction to staff while coaching and motivating to achieve objectives

• Proficient in Excel, Word, and Powerpoint

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