Director, Variable Compensation Administration

AAA-The Auto Club Group • MI-Admin Office Building (AOB), MI

2d • $127,000 - $175,000 • Remote

About The Position

Responsible for leading the administration function supporting the organization's variable compensation programs. Accountable for end-to-end administration accuracy and service delivery outcomes. Executes approved plan designs; does not determine plan structure of strategy. Oversees the operational processes, controls, and teams responsible for incentive compensation administration, participant support, appeals management, testing and validation, operational reporting, and issue resolution activities. Ensure programs are administered accurately, consistently, and in accordance with approved plan provisions, policies, and business requirements. Through a combination of subordinate leadership and individual contributors, establishes service standards, operational controls, and administration practices that support an effective participant experience while maintaining appropriate compliance and governance requirements. Partners closely with Payroll, Finance, HR Systems, Compliance, and business teams to support the successful administration of enterprise variable compensation programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Eight or more years of progressive experience in variable compensation administration
• Five or more years of leadership experience managing compensation professional staff and/or leaders.
• Experience in: Leading operational teams responsible for participant support, issue resolution, appeals management, testing, validation, and administration activities.
• Experience in: Administering complex variable compensation, commission, incentive, or bonus programs.
• Experience in: Developing and implementing operational processes, controls, and service delivery standards.
• Experience in: Operating within Varicent, Workday, or similar compensation administration technologies.
• Experience in: Partnering with Payroll, Finance, HR Systems, Compliance, and business teams to support operational objectives.
• Expert Knowledge of: Variable compensation administration principles, practices, and processes.
• Expert Knowledge of: Incentive compensation, commission, and bonus program administration.
• Expert Knowledge of: Operational controls, quality assurance, and risk management practices.
• Expert Knowledge of: Testing, validation, and administration support methodologies.
• Expert Knowledge of: Compensation payment processes and operational workflows.
• Expert Knowledge of: Reporting, data management, and administration metrics.
• Expert Knowledge of: Payroll, Finance, Compliance, and HR Systems business processes.
• Expert Knowledge of: Sales compensation, agent compensation, and incentive compensation environments.
• Expert Knowledge of: Process improvement and operational effectiveness principles.
• Foundational Leadership Skills
• Business Acumen & Decision Making
• Talent Leadership & Development
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence
• Execution & Results Management
• Variable Compensation Administration
• Operational Excellence & Process Management
• Testing, Controls & Risk Management
• Participant Support & Operational Reporting

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting variable compensation design initiatives and implementation activities.
• Insurance industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the administration function through subordinate leadership and individual contributors.
• Establish team priorities, service standards, operational goals and roadmaps, and performance expectations.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, development planning, talent management, and succession planning.
• Oversee administration of variable compensation programs and approved plan provisions.
• Direct participant support activities, inquiries, issue resolution, escalations, and administration requests.
• Maintain administration procedures, controls, and documentation standards.
• Oversee compensation appeals and exception processes.
• Own risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution related to compensation processes, data quality, system configurations, and program administration to minimize business and compliance risks.
• Identify trends and implement process improvements.
• Lead testing, validation, and quality assurance activities supporting compensation programs, annual compensation cycles, and system enhancements to ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain robust operational controls, governance standards, and audit-ready documentation to support regulatory compliance, data integrity, and process consistency.
• Maintain quality assurance processes and operational controls.
• Partner closely with HR Systems, Payroll, Finance, and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless compensation administration, operational readiness, and successful implementation of system and process changes.
• Oversee operational reporting and administration metrics.
• Monitor service levels, administration performance, and process effectiveness.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by evaluating control effectiveness, monitoring process performance, and implementing enhancements that strengthen audit readiness, operational efficiency, and stakeholder confidence.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, HR Systems, Compliance, and business teams to support administration requirements.
• Provide administration expertise and operational guidance related to compensation programs.
• Support implementation of compensation program changes and new initiatives.
• Oversee and direct the work of a manager and professional staff responsible for variable compensation administration activities.
• Select, hire, train, develop, coach, and manage assigned personnel in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Establish performance expectations, operational goals, and development plans for assigned team members.

Benefits

• PTO
• paid sick leave
• Medical plans with multiple coverage options, including HSA eligibility.
• Prescription drug coverage.
• Dental and vision benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program (confidential support services).
• Company-paid basic life insurance.
• Optional supplemental life insurance and dependent coverage.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Critical illness, accident, and pet insurance options.
• 401(k) plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) options.
• Paid Holidays
• mental health day
• floating holidays
• volunteer day
• Paid leave programs, including parental, bereavement, jury duty, and military leave.
• Tuition assistance (up to $5,250 annually; 80% covered by ACG).
• Professional certification support with 100% reimbursement for eligible programs.
• Opportunities for career development and advancement.
• Complimentary AAA membership with roadside assistance and travel discounts.
• Adoption assistance program.

What This Job Offers

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