Director - Executive Compensation
Vancouver, BC, CA, V6B 0M3 Edmonton, AB, CA Calgary, AB, CA Burnaby, BC, CA Montréal, QC, CA Toronto, ON, CA
Description
Role Overview
We are seeking an accomplished Director, Executive Compensation to lead our global executive compensation strategy and programs. Reporting to the VP, Total Rewards, you will oversee a team of Executive Compensation professionals and serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and the Compensation Committee.
This role requires a sophisticated understanding of global executive pay practices, regulatory compliance, and market trends across multiple jurisdictions. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and administering competitive compensation programs that attract, retain, and motivate top executive talent while ensuring alignment with shareholder interests, corporate governance standards, and business objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships in a dynamic, multinational environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, and implementation of executive compensation programs including base salary, short-term incentives (STI), long-term incentives (LTI), and supplemental executive benefits across 30+ countries
- Oversee competitive market analysis and benchmarking activities to ensure executive compensation packages are competitive and aligned with industry standards across global markets
- Manage relationships with external compensation consultants, legal advisors, and survey providers to inform strategy and ensure compliance
- Lead the annual executive compensation cycle including merit planning, incentive plan design, equity grant administration, and performance assessment processes
- Prepare materials for Board and Compensation Committee meetings including competitive analyses, pay-for-performance assessments, and regulatory updates
- Provide strategic counsel to the C-suite and senior leadership on compensation matters, organizational design, and talent retention strategies
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Executive Compensation professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
- Drive innovation in executive pay programs including ESG metrics integration, diversity and inclusion considerations, and emerging compensation trends
- Oversee proxy statement preparation and disclosure requirements (CD&A) in collaboration with Legal, Finance, and Communications teams
- Manage executive compensation data integrity to support analytics and reporting requirements
Key abilities required:
- Strategic Leadership: Ability to develop and articulate a compelling executive compensation strategy that balances competitiveness, internal equity, and shareholder alignment
- Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to build credibility and influence senior executives, Board members, and cross-functional partners
- Global Perspective: Deep understanding of compensation practices, regulations, and cultural considerations across multiple international markets
- Analytical Rigor: Strong quantitative and analytical skills to conduct complex financial modeling, pay-for-performance analysis, and market benchmarking
- Communication Excellence: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with ability to translate complex compensation concepts for diverse audiences
- Change Management: Proven ability to lead organizational change and implement new programs in complex, matrixed environments
Key values:
- Leadership courage to try new ideas, have difficult conversations, make tough decisions and identify and action on key opportunities
- Embrace change with the ability to adapt quickly to evolving dynamics and thrive in ambiguity
- A passion for growth demonstrating the agility required to respond to market conditions with speed and enthusiasm
- Spirited teamwork including the ability to listen to, empathize with, connect with and inspire all levels across the organization
- Smart collaborator consistently identifying the most effective approach to engage the right people to drive the best outcomes for our business
Qualifications
Required professional designation/certification:
- University Degree
- MBA an asset
- Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP)
Required experience:
- Minimum 12-15 years of progressive experience in executive compensation, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
- Extensive experience designing and administering executive compensation programs for publicly traded, global organizations
- Proven track record supporting Board of Directors and Compensation Committee activities
- Deep expertise in equity compensation including stock options, RSUs, PSUs
- Demonstrated experience managing executive compensation in multinational environments with complex regulatory requirements
- Strong background in proxy statement preparation and SEC/regulatory disclosure requirements
- Proven success leading and developing teams of compensation professionals
- Background in M&A-related compensation matters including change-in-control provisions and deal structuring (preferred)
- Experience implementing compensation technology solutions and data analytics platforms