Total Rewards Partner, M&A

Autodesk•Denver, CO

About The Position

The Total Rewards Partner, M&A supports Total Rewards activities throughout the M&A deal lifecycle, from due diligence through close and post-close integration. The role evaluates, advises on, and executes compensation and rewards decisions, translating fast-moving and ambiguous deal information into practical recommendations that balance internal equity, external market competitiveness, cost, and employee experience. The partner works closely with Corporate Development, Finance, Legal, People Business Partners, and People & Places leadership to assess workforce impacts, identify people-related risks, and support informed rewards decisions. The role also supports broader Compensation functions during periods of low M&A activity. This includes Executive Compensation work such as equity modeling and forecasting, peer group proxy data analysis, and Compensation Committee materials, as well as broad-based compensation benchmarking, retention analysis, and annual compensation planning.

Requirements

Experience in Total Rewards, Compensation, and/or M&A-related HR work.
At least 5 years of experience supporting M&A transactions, integration, compensation, or workforce-related initiatives.
Strong analytical capability, including compensation modeling and market data interpretation.
Working knowledge of job architecture, leveling, and market pricing principles.
Demonstrated ability to use discretion and handle highly confidential information.
Comfort working in fast-moving, ambiguous environments with shifting priorities and tight timelines.
Strong cross-functional communication and presentation skills with business leaders.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to global compensation practices or multi-country integrations.
Expertise in Total Rewards programs, including employee benefits, with demonstrated experience in M&A integration, gap analysis, and program harmonization.
Experience partnering with Corporate Development, Finance, or Legal teams.

Responsibilities

Support end-to-end Total Rewards activities across M&A transactions, including due diligence, integration planning, deal modeling, close execution, and post-close integration.
Evaluate target company compensation structures, incentive plans, equity programs, and benefits positioning to identify risks, gaps, and integration considerations.
Partner with Finance and Corporate Development to support cost modeling, synergy assumptions, and people-related deal risk assessment.
Support communications and enablement related to compensation, benefits, retention programs, and other Total Rewards changes throughout the transaction lifecycle.
Conduct job and level mapping using Autodesk job architecture and market data.
Analyze internal and external market positioning to inform pay alignment, equity conversion, and retention recommendations.
Develop compensation, equity, and retention recommendations for executives and key talent populations when retention or leadership continuity is critical.
Assess target company benefits, identify gaps versus company programs, and execute compliant, cost-effective transition and harmonization plans.
Support the design of transition, retention, and harmonization approaches consistent with Autodesk Total Rewards principles.
Partner with People Business Partners, Legal, and business leaders to surface implications and tradeoffs and recommend paths forward.
Prepare decision-ready materials summarizing options, risks, and financial impact for leadership review.
Apply established governance and approval frameworks consistently across transactions.
Support or lead execution of approved Total Rewards actions in Workday and downstream systems.
Support cross-functional planning and coordination to keep Total Rewards deliverables, dependencies, and milestones on track throughout the transaction lifecycle.
Coordinate with HR Operations, Payroll, and related teams to ensure accurate and timely implementation.
Contribute to continuous improvement of M&A Total Rewards playbooks, tools, and templates based on deal learnings.
Provide project management support for Total Rewards activities across the M&A lifecycle, ensuring seamless execution and issue resolution.
During periods of low M&A activity, support Executive Compensation activities, including equity modeling and forecasting, peer group proxy data analysis, and Compensation Committee materials.
During periods of low M&A activity, contribute to broad-based compensation activities, including benchmarking and retention analysis, and support annual compensation planning cycles.