Lead Compensation Consultant - Compensation Design

Posted 8 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
West Des Moines, IA, USA
Hybrid
119K-206K Annually
Senior level
Fintech • Financial Services
Wells Fargo: Tech-powered. Innovation-led. We're transforming financial services.
The Role
Leads enterprise compensation design initiatives from discovery through implementation and evaluation. Develops compensation philosophy, pay structures, policies, grade and range guidance, retention and spot award programs, and scalable system-ready solutions. Partners with HR, Compensation, Risk, Legal, Technology, Product, and business teams to manage governance, compliance, stakeholder alignment, communications, testing, rollout, and process improvements. Synthesizes market data and research into executive-ready recommendations while monitoring outcomes and mitigating risk.
Summary Generated by Built In
At Wells Fargo, a Lead Compensation Consultant on the Compensation Design team within Total Rewards leads complex compensation design initiatives and develops companywide pay practices, guidance, and program solutions. You will partner across Compensation, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Risk, Legal, Product, Technology, and business teams to translate business needs into practical, scalable, compliant, and employee-focused compensation solutions.
In this role, you will:
  • Lead complex compensation design initiatives from problem definition through implementation and post-implementation evaluation, applying independent judgment across varied business and organizational contexts and navigating ambiguity and competing business, operational, technical, and regulatory priorities
  • Develop compensation philosophy, pay positioning recommendations, and related policies, standards, and guidance that support business objectives and balance risk
  • Develop and maintain guidance for promotions, lateral moves, other job movements, counteroffers, and off-cycle compensation decisions; consult with stakeholders on consistent application
  • Lead compensation grade and range reviews and enable grade analysis to inform pay structure recommendations and stakeholder decisions
  • Lead design, governance, guidance, and stakeholder consultation for Retention and Spot Award programs in partnership with teams responsible for administration and control execution
  • Translate complex business requirements, data, research, and market insights into clear design recommendations and decision materials within established governance and approval frameworks
  • Develop implementation-ready design documentation, including design standards, requirements, process flows, and guidance materials, to enable build, rollout, and ongoing sustainment
  • Lead stakeholder engagement and change activities, including audience-tailored communications and presentations that drive alignment, timely decisions, and successful implementation
  • Partner with Risk, Legal, Compliance, Product, Technology, Compensation Delivery, and operational teams to assess risk and ensure solutions are practical, scalable, compliant, and system-ready
  • Monitor outcomes and effectiveness of implemented designs and recommend improvements to compensation frameworks, processes, controls, and delivery efficiency

Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years of compensation experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

Desired Qualifications
  • Experience leading end-to-end compensation design initiatives, including discovery, design, governance, build or configuration partnership, testing, rollout, and post-implementation validation
  • Experience developing compensation frameworks, philosophy, and practices and translating business needs into scalable compensation products and solutions
  • Demonstrated ability to design, evaluate, and provide credible challenge to compensation programs and structures for market competitiveness, equity, financial soundness, , and alignment with company strategy, risk, and regulatory expectations
  • Experience synthesizing compensation data, research, and market insights into clear recommendations and decision materials for senior stakeholders
  • Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders and facilitating decisions across Compensation, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Product, Risk, Legal, Technology, and business teams
  • Working knowledge of compensation-related risk, governance, and compliance, including risk assessment, mitigation, audit or regulatory review support, and control partnerships
  • Experience translating compensation designs into scalable, system-ready solutions with Product, Technology, Compensation Delivery, and operational teams
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and execute multiple large-scale initiatives across business groups and geographies, navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and meet strategic and implementation commitments, including improving processes and using technology, automation, or artificial intelligence-enabled tools to improve execution efficiency
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including developing executive-ready materials and presenting technical and strategic topics to senior leaders
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills, including experience using Copilot or similar tools to support analysis, storytelling, and execution

Job Expectations
  • This position offers a hybrid work schedule and is posted in Charlotte, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; West Des Moines, Iowa; and Phoenix, Arizona, with Charlotte and Minneapolis preferred
  • Relocation assistance is not available for this position
  • Ability to travel as needed for key stakeholder sessions
  • This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
  • Posting may come down early due to volume of applicants

#HRJobs
Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$119,000.00 - $206,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.
  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Critical caregiving leave
  • Discounts and savings
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:
27 Nov 2026
* Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo .
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.
c. Please be prepared to provide accurate information and supporting documentation in connection with any lawful employment and education verification conducted by Wells Fargo.
#BI-Hybrid

Skills Required

  • 5+ years of compensation experience, or equivalent experience, training, military experience, or education
  • Experience leading end-to-end compensation design initiatives, including discovery, design, governance, build or configuration partnership, testing, rollout, and post-implementation validation
  • Experience developing compensation frameworks, philosophy, practices, and scalable compensation products or solutions
  • Ability to design, evaluate, and challenge compensation programs and structures for market competitiveness, equity, financial soundness, company strategy, risk, and regulatory expectations
  • Experience synthesizing compensation data, research, and market insights into recommendations and decision materials for senior stakeholders
  • Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders and facilitating decisions across Compensation, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Product, Risk, Legal, Technology, and business teams
  • Working knowledge of compensation-related risk, governance, compliance, risk assessment, mitigation, audit or regulatory review support, and controls
  • Experience translating compensation designs into scalable, system-ready solutions with Product, Technology, Compensation Delivery, and operational teams
  • Ability to lead multiple large-scale initiatives across business groups and geographies, navigate ambiguity, balance priorities, meet commitments, and improve processes using technology, automation, or AI-enabled tools
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-ready materials and presentations to senior leaders
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills, including experience using Copilot or similar tools

Wells Fargo Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Retirement Support — Pay is considered stronger due to a 401(k) match up to 6% and, for some lower earners, an additional company contribution. Feedback suggests the retirement program is a standout element of the total package.
  • Parental & Family Support — Eligible employees can receive up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, along with critical-caregiving leave and backup care resources. Feedback suggests this breadth of family support is a meaningful advantage.
  • Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage begin on the first day for eligible employees, with the employer covering a large share of premiums in some plan scenarios. Feedback suggests access and plan breadth are strong.

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The Company
HQ: San Francisco, CA
205,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1852

What We Do

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $2.2 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 33 on Fortune’s 2025 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Our technology professionals drive innovation, information security, and big data analytics while maintaining a network that handles more than 12 billion customer interactions a year. Join us! Are you looking for more? Find it here. At Wells Fargo, we're more than a financial services leader – we’re a global trailblazer committed to driving innovation, empowering communities, and helping our customers succeed. We believe that a meaningful career is much more than just a job – it’s about finding all of the elements to help you thrive, in one place. Living the Well Life means you’re supported in life, not just work. It means having robust benefits, competitive compensation, and programs designed to help you find work-life balance and well-being. You’ll be rewarded for investing in your community, celebrated for being your authentic self, and empowered to grow. And we’re recognized for it — Wells Fargo continues to rank on the LinkedIn Top Companies lists of best workplaces “to grow your career.” All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic. © 2026 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

Why Work With Us

We're known for our “Well Life” approach to supporting employees’ career aspirations, work-life balance, and mental and physical health. Wells Fargo continues to rank on the LinkedIn Top Companies lists of best workplaces “to grow your career.”

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