The Staff Compensation Associate is a senior individual contributor responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing compensation programs across the organization. This role leverages deep analytical expertise to inform compensation strategy, ensure compliance, and drive data-driven decision-making. Partnering closely with People, Finance, and Legal teams, this position plays a critical role in building scalable, equitable, and competitive compensation practices.

This role is right for you if you are a highly analytical and detail-oriented compensation expert who operates autonomously and thrives in complex, data-rich environments. You bring strong technical expertise in compensation analysis, modeling, and systems, and are a trusted partner to stakeholders across the business. You influence decisions through data, insights, and thoughtful recommendations while continuously improving processes and tools.

This role reports to the Senior Director, HR.

Where you can make an impact:

• Analyze, design, and refine compensation programs, including salary structures, equity, and incentive plans

• Build, maintain, and enhance job architecture, including leveling frameworks, benchmarking, and compensation ranges

• Lead data-driven compensation analyses to support decision-making across hiring, promotions, and retention strategies

• Execute and optimize the global annual merit and compensation review cycle, ensuring accuracy and scalability

• Partner with Finance to model and forecast compensation expense across cash and equity programs

• Ensure compliance with ASC 718, including supporting valuation inputs, expense recognition, and reporting requirements

• Support administration and compliance of equity programs, including ESPP (Section 423) and RSU processes

• Maintain SOX-compliant compensation processes, including documentation, controls, and audit support

• Conduct pay equity analyses and support remediation efforts to ensure fair and compliant compensation practices

• Review and analyze compensation recommendations, including offers, promotions, and non-standard arrangements

• Develop dashboards, reports, and data visualizations to provide actionable insights to leadership

• Partner cross-functionally with HRBPs, Recruiting, Finance, and Legal to align compensation practices with business needs

• Support executive compensation analysis, including benchmarking, modeling, and Board material preparation

• Provide analytical support across broader total rewards initiatives, including benefits analysis, M&A activities, and systems implementations

• Thrive as the sole compensation expert on the People team with strong self-motivation and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively across the People, Legal, and Finance organizations

Your experience:

• 8–10 years of experience in compensation, total rewards, finance, or a highly analytical HR function, ideally within high-growth technology or fintech environments

• Advanced analytical skills with strong proficiency in data analysis, modeling, and interpretation

• Expert-level Excel skills, including building complex models, automating workflows, and handling large datasets

• Experience building, scaling, and improving technical tools, dashboards, and reporting processes

• Proficiency with HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday) and compensation tools such as Pave, Compensia, Sequoia, Syndio, or similar

• Strong knowledge of compensation structures, equity programs, and incentive plan design

• Familiarity with ASC 718, SOX controls, and compensation-related compliance requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in data validation, integrity checks, and audit-ready processes

• Ability to synthesize complex data into clear insights and recommendations for business stakeholders

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional partners

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Proven ability to operate autonomously, adapt quickly, and drive outcomes in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

• Creative and forward-thinking mindset with the ability to evolve compensation programs and strategies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting executive compensation and Board-level reporting

• Background in public company compensation practices and governance

• Experience with global compensation programs and multi-country compliance

• Familiarity with M&A compensation analysis and integration

• Experience implementing or optimizing compensation systems and tools

• Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker, or similar)

Where:

• This role will be remote (based in the U.S.).

• We believe great work can be done anywhere. No matter where you are based, NerdWallet offers benefits and perks to support the physical, financial, and emotional well being of you and your family.

What we offer:

Work Hard, Stay Balanced (Life’s a series of balancing acts, eh?)

• Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision health care plans for employees and their dependents

• Rejuvenation Policy – Flexible Vacation Time Off + 11 holidays + holiday company shutdown

• New Parent Leave for employees with a newborn child or a child placed with them for adoption or foster care

• Mental health support

• Paid sabbatical after 5 years for Nerds to recharge, gain knowledge, and pursue their interests

• Health and Dependent Care FSA and HSA Plan with monthly NerdWallet contribution

• Monthly Wellness Stipend, Cell Phone Stipend, and Wifi Stipend (Only remote Nerds are eligible for the Wifi Stipend)

• Work from home equipment stipend and co-working space subsidy (Only remote Nerds are eligible for these stipends)

Have Some Fun! (Nerds are fun, too)

• Nerd-led group initiatives – Employee Resource Groups for Parents, Diversity, and Inclusion, Women, LGBTQIA, and other communities

• Hackathons and team events across all teams and departments

• Company-wide events like NerdLove (employee appreciation) and our annual Charity Auction 

• Our Nerds love to make an impact by paying it forward – Take 8 hours of volunteer time off per quarter and donate to your favorite causes with a company match

Plan for your future (And when you retire on your island, remember the little people)

• 401K with 4% company match

• Be the first to test and benefit from our new financial products and tools

• Financial wellness, guidance, and unlimited access to a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through Northstar

• Disability and Life Insurance with employer-paid premiums

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.

NerdWallet is committed to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, so all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.  

NerdWallet will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and the San Francisco Fair Chance Act, which requires this notice, as well as the Los Angeles Fair Chance Act, which requires this notice.

NerdWallet participates in the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services E-Verify program for all US locations. For more information, please see:

• E-Verify Participation Poster (English+Spanish/Español)

• Right to Work Poster (English) / (Spanish/Español) 

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