Compensation Manager

Compensation Manager - REMOTE

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

 Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary:

Are you energized by building from the ground up and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment? We’re looking for a Compensation Manager with a strategic mindset and a bias toward action—someone who excels at both big-picture thinking and operational execution. This is a unique opportunity to shape and scale a distinctive compensation philosophy that fuels our firm’s continued growth and success.

As a leader within our growing HR team, you’ll play a critical role in designing and leading high-impact programs that align with evolving business needs and support our high-performing teams. Reporting directly to the CHRO, you’ll influence how we attract, motivate, and retain top talent through thoughtful, data-driven compensation strategies. If you're ready to make your mark, we’d love to meet you.

In this role, you will: (responsibilities are not exhaustive)

• Shape and evolve our global compensation philosophies to align with our firm’s business goals, growth trajectory, and talent strategies.
• Design and optimize compensation frameworks that drive performance, engagement, and retention across a variety of roles and geographies.
• Analyze market trends and internal data to identify new opportunities and propose enhancements to our compensation approach.
• Evaluate and monitor compensation programs for effectiveness, competitiveness, and alignment with the firm’s objectives.
• Conduct annual benchmarking and compensation surveys to ensure our offerings remain market competitive.
• Support the design and administration of both short-term and long-term incentive programs.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on the firm’s talent framework, evolving role architecture, leveling, and career paths aligned with compensation structures and business needs.
• Perform job evaluations and market pricing analyses to ensure internal consistency and external competitiveness.
• Contribute to integration efforts during mergers or acquisitions, offering insights and benchmarking guidance.
• Leverage tools like PayFactors and UKG to maintain data integrity, enable decision making, and develop actionable insights.
• Collaborate with HR and business leaders to provide compensation guidance grounded in market data and best practices.
• Lead the development and delivery of annual Total Rewards Statements across global offices.
• Champion compensation education across the firm by promoting understanding of our philosophy, practices, and processes.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable pay-related laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Continuously research and report on market developments to refine strategies that support business growth and evolving workforce needs.

The role will be a great opportunity if you:

• Bring high energy, empathy, and a solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Are comfortable leading through ambiguity and balancing long-term planning with agile execution.
• Are a genuine collaborator and empathetic listener who exercises sound judgment and makes thoughtful decisions.
• Build rapport easily across all functions and seniority levels, establishing yourself as a go-to business partner and trusted advisor. 

Skills/abilities:

• 5 -7 years’ experience as a Compensation Manager, Senior Compensation Analyst or a related role.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation preferred.
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across teams and functions.
• Expert-level proficiency in Excel.
• Deep knowledge of compensation design and implementation, including compliance with local, state, provincial, and federal pay requirements.
• Strong change leadership and communication skills in a remote or virtual environment
• Experience with PayFactors or a similar compensation analytics tool preferred.

 Location: Remote, flexible home base location

Direct Report(s): HR Analyst

Travel: Limited travel is expected

Compensation Range:  $115,000-$135,000 USD

#LI-REMOTE

The expected base salary range for this role is $115,000 - $135,000 USD per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.