AVP, Compensation

Pacific Life • Charlotte, NC

3d • $216,000 - $264,000

About The Position

Pacific Life is seeking a strategic and consultative leader to serve as the AVP, Compensation, with a Business‑Aligned focus. This role leads the translation of enterprise compensation strategy into division‑specific programs and practices, serving as the primary compensation partner for business leaders and HR Business Partners globally. The AVP ensures programs are market‑competitive, governed consistently, executed flawlessly, and tailored to the needs of each division while maintaining alignment with global enterprise standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, Economics, or related field; advanced degree and/or CCP preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive compensation experience with substantial business partnership responsibilities, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Expertise in market pricing, incentive plan design, job evaluation/architecture, and annual compensation cycles.
• Proven success advising senior leaders in a matrixed, global environment—ideally within financial services or insurance.
• Proven experience working in a global, matrixed organization, ideally within the financial services or insurance industry.
• Advanced analytical fluency (Excel/Sheets; data visualization), with experience in Workday or similar HCM; familiarity with major survey providers.
• Exceptional communication, consulting, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills; high integrity and discretion.
• High integrity, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Act as the principal compensation advisor to senior leaders and HR Business Partners for all divisions, aligning pay programs to strategy, financial outcomes, and talent priorities.
• Influence and guide decision‑making through data‑driven insights, external benchmarks, and scenario modeling.
• Oversee the design and administration of sales incentive plans that reinforce business performance metrics, risk balance, and pay‑for‑performance.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, HR business partners, and other stakeholders to understand business needs and provide strategic compensation solutions that attract, motivate, and retain top talent.
• Lead division‑level execution of the annual compensation review (merit, promotions, adjustments, and variable pay), ensuring accuracy, equity, and compliance.
• Monitor plan effectiveness and recommend changes based on performance distribution, competitiveness, and employee experience.
• Conduct and synthesize market benchmarking and job evaluations; ensure roles are leveled and mapped consistently to the global job architecture and salary structures.
• Monitor internal equity and lead remediation plans; ensure practices meet evolving regulatory and disclosure requirements.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing team of compensation professionals supporting the divisions and sales organizations; foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Your wellbeing is important to Pacific Life, and we’re committed to providing you with flexible benefits that you can tailor to meet your needs. Whether you are focusing on your physical, financial, emotional, or social wellbeing, we’ve got you covered.
• Prioritization of your health and well-being including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellbeing Reimbursement Account that can be used on yourself or your eligible dependents
• Generous paid time off options including: Paid Time Off, Holiday Schedules, and Financial Planning Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave as well as an Adoption Assistance Program
• Competitive 401k savings plan with company match and an additional contribution regardless of participation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive