Manager, Compensation

THE ROLE

At Great Dane, we rely on makers and we’re calling on them to join our expanding team, the time has never been better to Embrace Your Great and work in an environment with the highest safety standards in the industry.  

The Position: The Manager, Compensation plays a critical role in shaping and executing the organization’s total rewards strategy. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing compensation and rewards programs that are competitive, equitable, and aligned with the company’s business objectives. The Manager, Compensation serves as a strategic partner to HR and business leaders, providing expert guidance on compensation philosophy, pay practices, and market trends to attract, retain, and motivate top talent while ensuring regulatory compliance. This role also leads the development and governance of salary structures, job architecture, and incentive programs.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of compensation programs, including base pay, incentive plans, and recognition programs, ensuring alignment with business strategy and organizational goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to HR and business leaders on compensation-related matters, including job offers, promotions, market adjustments, and organizational design.
• Oversee market research and benchmarking activities, interpreting external data and internal insights to inform competitive and cost-effective pay practices.
• Drive the development, maintenance, and governance of salary structures, pay grades, and job architecture frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local compensation regulations, including pay equity laws; proactively identify and mitigate risk.
• Lead pay equity analyses and develop actionable strategies to address gaps and reinforce equitable pay practices.
• Partner with HR leadership to design and execute annual compensation cycles, including merit increases, bonus planning, and long-term incentive programs.
• Establish and enhance reporting, dashboards, and analytics to provide actionable insights to senior leadership and support data-driven decision-making.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of compensation programs and recommend enhancements based on business needs, market trends, and organizational performance.
• Oversee job evaluation and classification processes to ensure consistency, internal equity, and alignment with market data.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to compensation team members (if applicable), fostering capability development and operational excellence.
• Maintain the integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of all compensation data and systems.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Lead or support cross-functional HR initiatives related to total rewards, talent strategy, and organizational effectiveness.
• Other duties as assigned.

YOUR SKILLS & ABILITIES (REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS)

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field required; Master’s degree or relevant certification (e.g., CCP) preferred.
• Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in compensation or total rewards, including program design and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leaders and influencing compensation decisions at the organizational level.
• Prior experience leading compensation cycles (merit, bonus, incentive planning) required.
• People leadership or project leadership experience preferred.
• Skills:
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable business insights.
• Advanced proficiency in compensation analysis tools, HRIS systems (e.g., Oracle, Workday, SAP), and data visualization/reporting tools.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local compensation regulations, including pay equity laws and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to design and manage compensation structures, job architecture, and incentive programs.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align compensation strategy to organizational goals.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills, with experience delivering insights to senior leadership.
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring or developing team members preferred.
• Travel: Minimal based on business needs.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close and distance vision.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal to moderate. 

ABOUT GREAT DANE

With a history dating back to 1900, Great Dane has established itself as a transportation solutions leader of today – delivering innovative products and exceptional services that help our customers and employees succeed. We not only engineer durable and high-quality trailers and truck bodies; we foster relationships that last a lifetime. 

WHY WORK FOR US?

Great Dane is a leading manufacturer of dry-freight vans, refrigerated trailers, and flatbeds with 10 manufacturing facilities and 20 service centers throughout the United States. With a legacy like ours comes a dedication to the hard-working individuals that make Great Dane what it is today. Our jobs are waiting to be filled by driven, challenge-focused & enthusiastic people like you.

Our culture is comprised of “Champions” and offers a rewarding workplace rooted in core values of safety, leadership, integrity, quality, and passion. Every employee has opportunities to learn, to grow, to succeed and to be engaged in a collaborative environment.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW

• Competitive compensation
• Benefits, including but not limited to dental, vision, and medical with employer contributions
• Retirement programs, including a Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid holidays and vacation
• And more!

SALARY RANGE

The expected salary range for this role is $73,73 - $150,209 per year. 

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your exact pay, we may also consider your skills, experience, and other job-related factors.  

Great Dane is an Equal Opportunity Employer