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Compensation Programs & Operations Lead

OpenAI· People
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Hybrid (San Francisco)$270k - $320kFull-timePosted 5d ago

About the role

Senior compensation operations leader responsible for end-to-end management of global cyclical and ad hoc compensation programs, including planning, execution, reconciliation, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

  • Lead our compensation program portfolio. Own the integrated roadmap and calendar for cyclical and ad hoc programs, including compensation reviews, bonus and equity cycles, promotion-related compensation processes, recognition and retention initiatives, and new program launches.
  • Drive programs from planning through completion. Define scope, deliverables, milestones, accountable owners, dependencies, and resource needs. Coordinate work across teams, resolve blockers, and bring decisions and tradeoffs to the right owners early.
  • Translate compensation expertise into practical operations. Turn approved designs into clear eligibility rules, calculations, workflows, approval paths, and exception processes. Identify gaps and implementation risks before launch.
  • Stay close to the analysis and data. Build and review models, validate inputs and calculations, investigate discrepancies, and reconcile final outcomes.
  • Build reliable execution controls. Establish quality checks, documented approvals, access controls, and audit trails. Coordinate accurate handoffs to Payroll, Equity Administration, and People Operations.
  • Shape compensation systems and tooling. Translate business needs into requirements, partner with People Technology on configuration and integrations, lead user acceptance testing, and prioritize improvements that reduce manual work and errors.
  • Manage incoming requests and changing priorities. Create an intake and prioritization process for ad hoc compensation initiatives. Make capacity, timing, and dependencies visible.
  • Make programs easier to understand and use. Develop operating guides, manager resources, communications, and training.
  • Improve how the function operates. Measure accuracy, timeliness, manual effort, and stakeholder experience. Conduct post-cycle reviews and drive simplification and automation.

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of progressive compensation experience, including global compensation programs and operations in a complex, fast-growing organization.
  • Experience across Compensation Operations Analyst, Compensation Analyst, Compensation Partner, and Compensation Program Manager roles.
  • Deep expertise across base pay, incentives, equity, market benchmarking, salary structures, and job architecture; ability to translate into day-to-day administration.
  • Led complex compensation cycles and initiatives, coordinating multiple teams from planning to implementation and reconciliation.
  • Operations-focused mindset with ability to build processes that others rely on.
  • Strong analytical skills with practical systems experience, including advanced spreadsheet modeling and hands-on work with Workday or comparable platforms.
  • Ability to establish priorities amid changing requirements and communicate with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Required:Compensation operationsData modeling and analysisWorkday or comparable HR/compensation platformsStakeholder management and communicationProcess design and optimization

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
  • Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
  • Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
  • Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
  • 13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time
  • Mental health and wellness support
  • Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
  • Annual learning and development stipend
  • Daily meals in offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
  • Relocation support for eligible employees
  • Additional taxable fringe benefits such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends
Last updated Oct 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About OpenAI

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