Compensation Project Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Compensation Project Manager plays a key role in managing and executing the organization's incentive and compensation planning processes. This includes oversight of both semi-annual and annual incentive programs and the merit cycle, referred to internally as compensation planning. The role requires strong project management capabilities to coordinate cross-functional efforts, ensure timely execution, and drive continuous improvement. This position partners closely with Total Rewards Managers, Finance, Payroll, Communications and HR Business Partners to ensure alignment with company strategy, competitive practices, and compliance requirements. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead project management for incentive and compensation planning cycles. Drive execution of tasks in alignment with the established schedule. Coordinate with stakeholders and perform issue resolution.
• Support the annual and quarterly incentive cycles, including eligibility tracking, target setting and payout processing.
• Direct the work of the Total Rewards Managers (TRM) responsible for auditing the incentive plans across assigned lines of business. Ensure that the TRMs are on track and have all the required resources to complete their audit. Respond to inquiries and provide education on incentive plan mechanics and policies.
• Collaborate with Communications to develop and update templates and materials for each cycle.
• Participate in retrospective sessions with key business partners to understand pain points and opportunities. Work with leaders to develop and prioritize enhancements.
• Oversee testing and validation of incentive and compensation planning modules in MyInfo/Oracle HCM.
• Provide accurate data to Finance for incentive accruals and forecasting.
• Assist in designing and costing market-aligned pay ranges and bonus pay plans to support the total rewards strategy.
• Coordinate and provide enterprise-wide support to business partners throughout the nonexecutive compensation planning process in accordance with compensation guidelines.
• Complete incentive compensation practices surveys based on established survey schedules.
• Generate associate data downloads and create spreadsheets to assist in the development of market analyses and other ad hoc reports.
• Assist with special projects and ad hoc requests related to incentive, compensation planning and other corporate compensation projects.
• Assist in the preparation of reports for management presentations.
• Work with division HR, Workforce Analytics and/or Kroger Technology to drive data integrity and/or human resource system changes.
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• 1 year of experience preparing analyses and interpreting/applying data to create reports
• Excellent mathematical/analytical skills; ability to identify statistical/data relationships, trends and anomalies
• Ability to explain compensation concepts in a simple/straightforward way to internal customers
• Ability to handle sensitive information while maintaining a high degree of confidentiality
• Excellent initiative in following through on next steps, discerning the need for additional information and obtaining feedback from stakeholders and other resources
• Excellent attention to detail in providing accurate and quality work deliverables
• Ability to meet time-sensitive deadlines and manage shifting priorities
• Strong project management skills
• Effective oral/written communication skills
• Strong customer service focus
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and report generation applications
• Advanced Excel and database program skills

• Bachelor's Degree
• Working experience with automated compensation planning (e.g., SuccessFactors, Workday, Oracle, etc.)
• Working experience with compensation administration applications (e.g., MarketPay, Payfactors, Oracle, etc.)
• Compensation administration experience (e.g., market pricing and survey participation)

• A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
• Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching with Goldman Sachs Ayco.
• Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
• Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.