Principal, Controller – Compensation Accounting & Operations

Blue Owl Capital•Short Hills, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal, Workforce Finance & Compensation is a senior finance leader responsible for the firm’s global compensation finance, accounting, payroll operations, and workforce‑level forecasting. Sitting within Finance, this role provides end‑to‑end ownership of compensation‑related financial processes, including: forecasting and analytics, global payroll operations, equity and capital event execution, and regulatory compliance, while serving as a strategic partner to senior leadership. This role leads firmwide compensation planning, forecasting, and person‑by‑person workforce analytics, delivering high‑quality financial insight that supports executive decision‑making, business growth, and long‑range planning. The Principal partners closely with FP&A, SEC Reporting, Tax, Legal, and Human Resources to ensure accurate financial reporting, compliant compensation structures, and scalable operational execution across a growing global footprint. The role owns the compensation accounting close process across monthly, quarterly, and annual cycles, including journal entry review, reconciliations, analytical review, and oversight of SOX controls. It also oversees global payroll operations and expansion into new jurisdictions, manages external partners such as payroll providers and transfer agents, and ensures accurate execution of equity compensation programs and capital structure transactions, including complex share issuances and distributions. In addition to financial and operational leadership, this role leads and develops a large, global team of approximately 20 professionals across onshore and offshore locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; CPA or equivalent preferred.
15+ years of progressive experience in accounting or finance roles, with meaningful ownership of compensation processes.
Strong understanding of compensation-related accounting standards (e.g., ASC 718), audit processes, and financial planning and analysis.
Experience operating in a SOX-controlled environment; public company close and reporting experience strongly preferred.
Proven success leading and developing onshore and offshore teams.
Advanced experience with financial systems, data, and automation tools; ability to translate business requirements into scalable processes.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Oracle, Anaplan, and Workday or similar platforms strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own monthly, quarterly, and annual compensation accounting close processes, including journal entry review, reconciliations and analytical review.
Responsible for day-to-day execution of cash and equity compensation programs, including review and implementation of complex compensation arrangements.
Responsible for end-to-end global payroll operations, including overseeing expansion into new territories globally.
Responsible for transfer agent reporting and operational execution of capital events, including share issuances, distributions, exchanges, and transfers in an Up-C structure.
Lead firmwide compensation planning, forecasting, and analytics, delivering reporting that supports executive decision‑making.
Collaborate with SEC Reporting, Tax, and Legal partners on quarterly and annual deliverables, including compensation-related disclosures, tax reporting inputs, and complex transaction support.
Oversee and maintain SOX controls for compensation processes, including effective design and execution, audit readiness, and review of third-party assurance reports (e.g., SOC).
Partner closely with Human Resources and senior leaders on annual compensation cycles and on complex compensation initiatives throughout the year.
Develop deep expertise in the firm’s compensation plans and structures.
Lead continuous improvement across compensation accounting, payroll operations, and forecasting by identifying, evaluating, and implementing technology, automation solutions, and systems integrations.
Simplify and standardize processes and controls to improve scalability, accuracy, and efficiency as the firm continues to grow.
Lead and develop a team of approximately 20 professionals, including both onshore and offshore team members.
Coach team members, provide clear development paths, and create opportunities for growth and increased responsibility.
Establish clear goals in line with firm guidance, performance metrics, and feedback mechanisms to drive accountability and operational excellence.