The Compensation Program Manager plays a critical role in the administration, execution, and continuous improvement of enterprise compensation programs within a highly matrixed organization. Reporting to the Director, Compensation, this role partners closely with HR and Total Rewards Partners, Talent Acquisition, HR Systems, Finance, and business leaders to manage core compensation operations, annual pay planning processes, job architecture activities, and compensation analytics.
This position requires strong operational expertise, analytical capability, and hands-on experience with Workday compensation processes in a large, complex enterprise environment. The ideal candidate brings a balance of strategic thinking and operational execution, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality client support and scalable compensation solutions.
Responsibilities
Compensation Program Administration
- Administer and support enterprise-wide compensation programs, including annual merit and bonus cycles, promotions, market adjustments, and off-cycle compensation actions
- Partner with HR and Total Rewards Partners and business leaders to provide guidance on compensation decisions, pay positioning, and internal equity considerations
- Support the development, implementation, and administration of salary structures, incentive programs, and compensation policies
- Ensure compensation programs are executed accurately, consistently, and in compliance with company guidelines and regulatory requirements
- Participate in compensation planning activities related to organizational changes, workforce planning, and talent retention initiatives
Job Architecture & Market Pricing
- Support the ongoing maintenance and governance of the company’s job architecture, leveling framework, and career progression structures
- Conduct job evaluations and market pricing analyses using compensation survey data and external benchmarking tools
- Partner with Talent Acquisition and HR teams to develop competitive compensation packages for new hires and internal mobility actions
- Analyze compensation data and trends to identify market movement, compression issues, and pay equity considerations
Workday & Compensation Operations
- Serve as a key functional partner for Workday compensation administration, configuration support, testing, and process execution
- Support annual compensation cycle configuration and validation activities within Workday
- Collaborate with HRIS, Payroll, and Finance teams to ensure data integrity and operational efficiency across compensation processes
- Develop and maintain compensation reports, dashboards, and analytics to support leadership decision-making and program effectiveness
- Identify opportunities for process improvements, automation, and operational scalability
Analytics & Business Partnership
- Conduct complex compensation analyses and provide actionable recommendations to HR and business leaders
- Prepare presentations, reports, and modeling scenarios for compensation reviews and leadership discussions
- Support compensation-related audits, compliance reporting, and regulatory requirements, including pay transparency and pay equity initiatives
- Assist with compensation due diligence and integration support related to mergers, acquisitions, and organizational changes
Collaboration & Stakeholder Support
- Build strong working relationships across HR, Finance, Talent Acquisition, and business leadership teams
- Deliver responsive, high-quality consultation and support in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment
- Communicate compensation programs and processes clearly to managers and employees
- Contribute to a culture of operational excellence, continuous improvement, and strong customer service within the Compensation function
Qualifications
Required Experience
- BA degree and 8-12 years in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or related field or equivalent work experience, or Masters with 6-10 years of prior relevant experience
- Progressive compensation experience supporting broad-based compensation programs in large, complex organizations
- Hands-on experience managing compensation processes within Workday
- Experience supporting annual compensation planning cycles, market pricing, and salary administration
- Strong technical and analytical skills with the ability to translate complex compensation data into clear, compelling insights for business leaders
- Experience working effectively in highly matrixed environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong understanding of core compensation principles, market pricing methodologies, and compensation program administration
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills, including modeling and reporting capabilities
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion
- Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and operational accuracy
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and operational support
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across all organizational levels
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation or progress toward certification
- Experience within government contracting, defense, aerospace, engineering, or similarly regulated industries
- Familiarity with compensation survey platforms and reporting tools
- Experience supporting pay equity analyses and compliance initiatives
- Exposure to job architecture design and organizational effectiveness initiatives
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:September 17, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 8-12 years of experience in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field, or equivalent experience; alternatively, a master's degree with 6-10 years of relevant experience.
- Progressive compensation experience supporting broad-based compensation programs in large, complex organizations.
- Hands-on experience managing compensation processes within Workday.
- Experience supporting annual compensation planning cycles, market pricing, and salary administration.
- Strong technical and analytical skills, including the ability to translate compensation data into insights for business leaders.
- Experience working in highly matrixed environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- Strong understanding of compensation principles, market pricing methodologies, and compensation program administration.
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills, including modeling and reporting.
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information professionally and discreetly.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and operational accuracy.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presenting complex information clearly.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and operational support.
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across organizational levels.
- Certified Compensation Professional designation or progress toward certification.
- Experience in government contracting, defense, aerospace, engineering, or similarly regulated industries.
- Familiarity with compensation survey platforms and reporting tools.
- Experience supporting pay equity analyses and compliance initiatives.
- Exposure to job architecture design and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
Leidos Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Leidos and has not been reviewed or approved by Leidos.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with multiple plan options, low office-visit copays in some plans, and access to mental health and wellness support tools. The availability of HSA/FSA options and employer contributions is positioned as a meaningful part of the total package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are framed as a strong component of total rewards, highlighted by a 401(k) match and immediate vesting in the standard package. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is also presented as an additional long-term wealth-building feature.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle supports extend beyond core insurance, including wellness programs, fitness-related stipends, and assistance resources. Work flexibility and related perks are also included as part of the broader rewards experience.
Leidos Insights
What We Do
We Are Leidos For 50 years we have been tackling some of the biggest problems that face our nation and our world. OUR MISSION Through our culture of innovation and history of performance, we develop deep customer trust built on integrity and create enduring solutions that improve our world. Leidos is a science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and healthcare markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020. Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®. Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the newly launched Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos. Your most important work is ahead.
