OverviewIncentive Compensation Program Manager
Reports to: Sr. Director, Compensation
Fully Remote, Exempt position
Salary Range: $135,000 to $155,000 plus potential bonus
Position Summary
The Sun Auto Incentive Compensation Program Manager is responsible for the strategy, design, modeling, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of incentive programs that drive the right behaviors for teammates and the business. This role partners closely with HR, Finance, Operations, Payroll, and senior leadership to develop and manage field-focused incentive plans, including bonuses, profit sharing, spiffs, and commissions. Key activities include building financially sound incentive models, tracking plan performance, analyzing return on investment, ensuring accurate and timely administration, and delivering clear communication that helps leaders and teammates understand how performance connects to pay.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Incentive Plan Design
- Lead the design, development, and ongoing refinement of incentive programs, including field bonuses, commissions, profit sharing, and spiffs, to support business priorities and reinforce desired teammate behaviors.
- Partner with Finance, Operations, and HR leaders to translate business goals into clear, measurable, and financially responsible incentive plan designs.
Modeling and Analysis
- Build and maintain incentive models, forecasts, and scenario analyses to evaluate plan design options, payout outcomes, cost implications, and business risk.
- Track incentive plan results and performance trends, including payout distribution, attainment levels, and key business outcomes, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.
- Conduct ROI and effectiveness analyses to assess whether incentive programs are driving the intended operational, financial, and behavioral outcomes.
Administration and Reporting
- Own the administration of incentive plans, including calculation logic, validation, payout support, issue resolution, controls, and documentation to ensure timely and accurate execution.
- Develop reporting, dashboards, and recurring insights that help leadership monitor incentive performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions.
- Drive process improvements and automation initiatives for compensation workflows and reporting
- Collaborate with Payroll, HRIS, IT, and business stakeholders to ensure data integrity, system support, and process efficiency for incentive tracking and payouts.
- Support the annual merit increase, bonus planning, and compensation review processes
Communication and Change Support
- Prepare clear plan documents, participant communications, leader guides, and training materials so incentive programs are easy to understand and consistently administered.
- Support incentive-related needs connected to organizational changes, new business initiatives, and mergers and acquisitions as applicable.
Compliance and Governance
- Ensure incentive programs are administered in alignment with company policies and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold high standards of accuracy, governance, and professional ethics in all compensation and incentive activities.
Other Duties
- Perform other compensation-related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- 7+ years of progressive compensation, incentive compensation, finance, or related analytical experience.
- Demonstrated experience designing and administering incentive plans such as bonuses, commissions, profit sharing, or other variable pay programs.
- Strong expertise in incentive modeling, scenario analysis, payout logic, and financial forecasting.
- Experience tracking incentive performance and conducting ROI, trend, and effectiveness analyses to support plan decisions.
- Ability to translate business strategy into practical incentive designs that motivate the right behaviors and are operationally sustainable.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work with large data sets and deliver clear insights to business leaders.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and Power BI; experience with reporting tools, dashboards, HRIS, payroll systems, or incentive compensation platforms is a plus.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create clear plan documents, leadership updates, and participant-facing materials.
- Strong knowledge of compensation practices, controls, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
- High personal standards of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Preferred
- Experience developing and managing incentive compensation programs across a multi-unit or field-based organization preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
- Certified Compensation Professional certification is a plus.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time (typically 6–8 hours per day)
- Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and standard office equipment (e.g., headset, webcam)
- Ability to remain in a stationary position (seated or standing) for prolonged periods
- Ability to communicate effectively via video, phone, and email
- Occasional movement may be required to retrieve files, documents, or office supplies within the home workspace
- Ability to lift and carry light items (e.g., laptop, files, or office equipment) up to 10–15 pounds, if needed
- Visual acuity to read computer screens, documents, and spreadsheets with attention to detail
- Dexterity to operate standard office equipment and perform repetitive motions such as typing and clicking
- Reliable internet access and a workspace that supports sustained focus and productivity. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities.
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