Compensation Manager - Fair Lawn, NJ

Columbia Bank • Fair Lawn, NJ

6d • $145,000 - $175,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Compensation Manager works closely with partners and business leaders to implement and administer all compensation programs including equity and deferred compensation. This role provides guidance and drives strategy to effectively meet organizational objectives while ensuring internal equity, external competitiveness, and compliance with applicable laws.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of compensation experience, including program management.
• Expertise in equity and incentive plan administration.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence within all levels of the organization.
• Strong knowledge of compensation theory and relevant laws (FLSA, Equal Pay Act, ADA).
• Proven ability to design and implement compensation programs aligned with strategic goals.
• Experience in a publicly traded bank and regulatory reporting.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to work across all levels of the organization.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with abilities to build pivot tables, formulas including V-Lookup and strong skills in other Microsoft Office Suite applications.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or related professional certifications (e.g., CPP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and administration of broad-based compensation programs.
• Maintain pay structures and market pricing using salary surveys and benchmarking tools.
• Conduct compensation research, analytics, and modeling to support total rewards strategies.
• Recommend enhancements and automation to improve processes and maintain competitiveness.
• Develop clear communication and documentation for HR partners and leaders.
• Lead job evaluation, benchmarking, and market pricing activities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in all broad-based compensation programs.
• Develop process documentation, instructions, and resources to assist HR business partners, Talent Team, and leaders as it relates to compensation.
• Manage commission plans and administers calculations for payroll.
• Administer the merit program, ensuring alignment with performance management and business strategy.
• Provide guidelines, tools, and training to support managers in merit decision-making.
• Analyze merit cycle data to refine program effectiveness.
• Administer quarterly and annual scorecards in support of the PAIP program.
• Partner with business leaders on ensuring proper dissemination of scorecards and communications, and assist employees in understanding scorecards and pay for performance philosophy.
• Manages annual incentive programs both Exempt and Non-Exempt
• Administer equity and deferred compensation programs, including Restricted Stock, ESOP, and related plans.
• Oversee administration platforms and transactions (grants, exercises, releases, terminations).
• Monitor share pool levels and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for analysis and evaluation of competitive market information and research of external labor market trends.
• Design and deliver reporting, analytics, metrics, and scenario analyses to assess the effectiveness of compensation programs and support decision-making.
• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local compensation laws and regulations.
• Partner with HR leadership and Bank leaders to advise on compensation decisions, job leveling, and promotions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop direct reports and team.
• Exercise the usual authority of a manager including staffing, performance evaluations, promotions, training, salary recommendations, terminations, and budget approval.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Rx which are contributory.
• Bonus programs.
• Employee Stock Option Program (ESOP).
• Life Insurance, Long Term Disability and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (LTD&AD&D).
• Paid Time Off (PTO) which includes Personal and Vacation Time.
• Paid Sick Time.
• Bank Holidays.
• Employees may participate in the 401k program.

What This Job Offers

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