The Director, Executive Compensation leads the design, administration, and governance of Leidos' executive and non-employee director compensation programs. This role serves as the primary subject-matter expert on executive pay strategy, equity plan design, regulatory compliance, and Compensation Committee support, partnering closely with the VP, Compensation, senior HR leadership, Legal, and Finance to ensure programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with company performance and shareholder interests.
Key ResponsibilitiesExecutive Compensation Program Management
- Design and administer base salary, annual incentive, and long-term incentive (equity) programs for the executive population (Section 16 officers and other senior leaders)
- Lead annual executive compensation planning cycles, including market benchmarking, pay recommendations, and merit/incentive funding
- Partner closely with the Stock Programs team to align on equity plan operations, ensuring seamless coordination on grant strategy and vesting/settlement processes
- Own the end-to-end executive compensation experience with the compensation function, establishing a white-glove service model that makes this role the single go-to resource for senior leaders across pay, equity, and governance matters
Board & Committee Governance
- Serve as a key preparer for the Compensation Committee materials, including pay-for-performance analyses, peer group benchmarking, and plan design proposals
- Partner with Legal and the Corporate Secretary's office on committee meeting logistics, calendars, and documentation
- Draft and maintain committee charters, governance guidelines, and related policies as they pertain to compensation
Regulatory & Disclosure Compliance
- Partner with Legal and the Corporate Secretary’s office in preparation of the Compensation Discussion & Analysis (CD&A) and related proxy statement disclosures, ensuring compliance with SEC rules
- Monitor and apply evolving regulatory requirements (SEC, IRS Section 162(m)/409A, ISS/Glass Lewis guidelines, say-on-pay considerations)
- Manage clawback policy administration and other governance-related compensation policies
Market Analysis & Advisory
- Conduct competitive market analyses using survey data and peer group benchmarking to inform pay decisions
- Translate data and insights into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leaders
- Advise senior leadership and the CHRO on executive offers, promotions, retention arrangements, and severance/change-in-control provisions
- Partner with outside compensation consultants and legal counsel as needed
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with Finance on compensation expense forecasting, accounting treatment, and budget planning
- Collaborate with Legal on employment agreements, executive offer letters, and severance arrangements
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing executive compensation team, fostering operational excellence, strategic thinking, and strong client support
- Bachelor's degree and 12+ years of relevant compensation experience, including significant experience in executive compensation; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrated experience supporting a Compensation Committee and preparing proxy/CD&A disclosures at a publicly traded company
- Strong knowledge of SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, equity plan design, and relevant tax/regulatory frameworks
- Experience with executive compensation benchmarking tools and survey data
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing board-level materials
- Advanced degree (MBA) or professional certification (CCP, CECP)
- Experience in a government services, defense, or technology contracting environment
- Prior people management experience
- Familiarity with Workday or similar HRIS/compensation planning tools
The ideal candidate should be within commuting distance to Reston, and able to work onsite two days per week.
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 29, 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 12 or more years of relevant compensation experience, including significant executive compensation experience, or equivalent education and experience
- Experience supporting a Compensation Committee at a publicly traded company
- Experience preparing proxy statement and Compensation Discussion & Analysis disclosures
- Strong knowledge of SEC executive compensation disclosure rules
- Knowledge of equity plan design and relevant tax and regulatory frameworks
- Experience with executive compensation benchmarking tools and survey data
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience preparing board-level materials
- Advanced degree such as an MBA or professional certification such as CCP or CECP
- Experience in a government services, defense, or technology contracting environment
- Prior people management experience
- Familiarity with Workday or similar HRIS and compensation planning tools
- Ability to work onsite two days per week within commuting distance of Reston
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.
