Paylocity is an award-winning provider of cloud-based HR and payroll software solutions, offering the most complete platform for the modern workforce. The company has become one of the fastest-growing HCM software providers worldwide by offering an intuitive, easy-to-use product suite that helps businesses automate and streamline HR and payroll processes, attract and retain talent, and build a strong workplace culture.  

While traditional HR and payroll providers automate basic HR processes such as payroll and benefits administration, Paylocity goes further by developing tools that HR and businesses need to compete for talent and deliver against the expectations of the modern workforce. 

We give our employees what they need to succeed, including great benefits and perks! We offer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and a 401(k) match, as well as perks that support you, your family, and your finances. And if it’s career development you desire, we provide that, too! At Paylocity, people matter most and have always been at the heart of our business.    

When you feel like you belong, work is no longer work – it's personal. At Paylocity, we believe better employees lead to better companies. Workplaces and cultures that care will build the future, and at Paylocity, we’re doing just that. Join us as we change the future and transform your career! 

There are jobs and then there are careers. Since 1997, Paylocity has been hiring talented people, giving them big challenges, and providing the right resources to help them succeed. Our award-winning culture ensures all employees feel truly welcome, appreciated, and free to be themselves. While other companies talk about it, we make it happen. Join Paylocity and launch your career! 

Position Overview

The Director of Compensation is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and administration of the organization’s global compensation strategies and programs. This role ensures that all compensation practices support business objectives, attract and retain top talent, and maintain market competitiveness while complying with relevant laws and regulations.

The Director will work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to develop and manage base pay, variable compensation, executive compensation, and incentive programs.

This position leads and supports a team of compensation professionals, providing direction, mentorship, and development opportunities to ensure a high-performing, collaborative, and service-oriented function. The Director is a strategic thinker with strong analytical capabilities and a proven ability to lead teams and build effective, scalable compensation programs aligned with organizational goals.

Primary Responsibilities 

The below represents the primary duties of the position, others may be assigned as needed. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Leads the development and execution of enterprise-wide compensation strategy, aligning programs with the company’s business model, growth trajectory, and talent needs, with a focus on scalability and competitiveness.
• Manages and develops a high-performing compensation team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and professional development to ensure operational excellence and strategic partnership across the organization.
• Partners with senior business leaders and HR Business Partners to advise on complex compensation issues, including internal equity, market positioning, retention risks, and organizational design implications.
• Owns and evolves the company’s global compensation framework, including job architecture, leveling, salary ranges, geographic differentials, and budgeting processes to support hiring and organizational scale.
• Oversees design and governance of incentive programs, including sales compensation plans, bonus structures, and performance-based incentives, ensuring alignment with company goals and business-specific metrics.
• Directs the strategy and administration of global equity compensation, including plan design, modeling of share pool usage, and compliance with regulatory and accounting standards; serves as a key liaison with Legal, Finance, and Board stakeholders.
• Leads compensation planning cycles, including merit increases, promotions, and incentive payouts, ensuring a consistent, data-driven, and equitable approach across the organization.
• Conducts market analysis and benchmarking using tools like Radford and Option Impact to evaluate competitiveness and provide strategic insights to HR and executive leadership.
• Monitors regulatory trends and ensures compliance with compensation-related laws and policies across all operating jurisdictions (e.g., FLSA, pay transparency, and equity regulations).
• Oversees job evaluation and leveling processes, partnering with Talent Acquisition and HRBPs to ensure consistency in role definitions, career paths, and compensation decisions.
• Drives a culture of data-informed decision-making, ensuring the compensation team delivers accurate, timely, and impactful analytics and recommendations to support business strategy.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; Master’s degree (MBA or related) or advanced certification (e.g., CCP) preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive compensation experience, including at least 5 years in leadership or people management roles.
• Proven success leading global compensation programs in technology or SaaS organizations, including equity-based compensation design and administration, preferably in public company settings.
• Experience managing compensation cycles (annual merit, bonus, equity refresh) across multiple geographies.
• Deep familiarity with benchmarking methodologies and tools such as Radford, Culpepper, and Mercer.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in matrixed, global environments.
• Skilled at navigating ambiguity, driving cross-functional alignment, and communicating complex information with confidence and discretion.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence, advise, and manage sensitive situations professionally.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Expertise in compensation strategy and plan design, including base, variable, and equity programs, with strong knowledge of global compensation practices, job architecture, and market benchmarking.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills to evaluate financial impact, business risk, and organizational implications, enabling data-driven recommendations.
• Resilient and composed under pressure, capable of managing sensitive topics and delivering difficult messages professionally in high-stakes or ambiguous situations.
• Supportive, empowering leader who fosters a collaborative, inclusive environment that drives growth, accountability, and team success.
• Exceptional business partnering and influencing skills, building trust and alignment across HR, Finance, Legal, and executive leadership.
• Excellent communicator, adept at distilling complex compensation concepts into clear, audience-appropriate messages across verbal, written, and presentation formats.
• Highly organized and execution-focused, experienced in managing multiple priorities and leading global compensation cycles and projects in fast-paced environments.

Physical requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods: The role requires sitting at a desk or workstation for long periods, typically 7-8 hours a day.
• Use of computer and phone systems: The employee must be able to operate a computer, use phone systems, and type. This includes using multiple software programs and inquiries simultaneously.

Paylocity is an equal-opportunity employer. Paylocity is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. At Paylocity, we believe diversity makes us better.   

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, culture, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We actively cultivate these differences through our employee resource groups (ERGs), employee experiences, perspectives, talents, and approaches to drive innovation in the software and services we provide our customers.  

We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the job application or interview process, please contact accessibility@paylocity.com. This email address is exclusively designated for such requests, aligning with federal and state disability laws. Please do not send resumes to this email address, as they will be removed. 

The base pay range for this position is $140,000 - 230,000/yr; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This position is eligible for an annual bonus and restricted stock unit grant based on individual performance in addition to a full range of benefits outlined here. This information is provided per the relevant state and local pay transparency laws for the location in which this position will be performed. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via www.paylocity.com/careers.