Sr. Director, Compensation

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Sr. Director, Compensation is the strategic leader responsible for designing, governing, and executing Viant’s compensation, benefits, rewards, and workforce planning strategy. This role owns pay philosophy, job architecture, compensation cycles, benefits strategy, headcount forecasting, and internal equity. They partner closely with Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, Finance, and the executive team to build a competitive, equitable, and financially disciplined rewards system. 

This role is both strategic and hands-on, and is critical to modernizing Viant’s HR function. 

THE DAY-TO-DAY

Compensation Strategy & Governance 

• Define and maintain Viant’s compensation philosophy and compensation governance model. 

• Own job architecture, leveling frameworks, salary bands, and market competitiveness across all job families. 

• Lead compensation cycles (merit, bonus, equity) with rigor, accuracy, and strong cross-functional partnership. 

• Build compensation frameworks that align performance, skills, and business objectives to pay. 

Rewards & Benefits Strategy 

• Evaluate and recommend benefits programs that support attraction and retention. 

• Ensure benefits packages align with market and business priorities. 

Workforce Planning & Analytics 

• Own Viant’s headcount and compensation census. 

• Partner with Finance to run headcount planning, reforecast cycles, and scenario modeling. 

• Govern position management and ensure all job movement aligns with budget and headcount plan. 

• Drive compensation analytics, including cost modeling, turnover impact, geographic differentials, and workforce trends to inform executive decisions. 

Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Partner with Talent Acquisition, HR Ops, HRIS, and executives on offers, data integrity, performance alignment, and Compensation Committee deliverables. 

• Serve as a key member of the 401(k) Committee and drive clear, effective Total Rewards communication and education across the company. 

• Build strong relationships with senior leaders to ensure rewards programs are understood, trusted, and adopted. 

People Leadership 

• Build and develop a high-performing Total Rewards team, establishing tools and processes that ensure discipline, consistency, and scalability  

GREAT TO HAVE

• 10+ years experience in Compensation, Total Rewards, or related HR specialty. 

• Deep expertise in comp strategy, job architecture, benchmarking, analytics, and market competitiveness. 

• Strong understanding of benefits strategy, vendor management, and total rewards communication. 

• Proven experience partnering with Finance on headcount planning, budgeting, and modeling. 

• Exceptional analytical and financial modeling skills. 

• Strong communication, executive presence, and ability to advise leaders at all levels. 

• Experience operating in a growth-oriented environment with evolving structures. 

• Experience with ChartHop, ADP or Greenhouse a plus 

LIFE AT VIANT

Investing in our employee’s professional growth is important to us, but so is investing in their well-being. That’s why Viant was voted one of the best places to work and some of our favorite employee benefits include fully paid health insurance, paid parental leave and unlimited PTO and more. 

 

Base compensation range: $180,000 - $215,000 In accordance with California law, the range provided is Viant’s reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role.  Final title and compensation for the position will be based on several fa