Incentive Compensation Manager

About the role

Betterment is seeking an Incentive Compensation Manager to take ownership of the entire lifecycle of sales commission programs from initial design through final payout. You will be responsible for ensuring that all compensation structures directly support and align with the current business objectives of the sales organization. This role requires you to act as the primary steward of compensation accuracy and transparency for the entire sales team. You will translate complex business rules into functional compensation models that drive the right behaviors. The position demands a high level of ownership over data integrity and process reliability. You will serve as the key liaison between finance, sales leadership, and operations regarding all matters of variable pay. Ultimately, you will ensure that the incentive programs reward performance effectively and fairly.

Key facts

What you'll do

Analyze historical sales performance data to identify trends and areas for improvement in existing commission structures.

Design detailed compensation plans using financial modeling techniques to project costs and outcomes accurately.

Manage the end-to-end administration of sales commission calculations on a recurring monthly and quarterly basis.

Perform thorough variance analysis comparing actual payouts against budgeted compensation expenses.

Lead collaborative sessions with sales leadership to review plan performance and recommend strategic adjustments.

Draft and maintain comprehensive documentation for all compensation policies, procedures, and business rules.

Serve as the main point of contact for resolving complex commission-related inquiries raised by the sales team.

Conduct regular data integrity checks to ensure consistency between payroll systems, CRM platforms, and compensation spreadsheets.

Develop robust reports and dashboards that provide clear visibility into sales compensation metrics for stakeholders.

Ensure all compensation practices adhere to Betterment's internal standards, policies, and regulatory guidelines.

Coordinate with the HR department to align compensation programs with broader talent strategies and sales objectives.

Leverage advanced Excel capabilities to build error-checked models and automate parts of the compensation workflow.

Partner with the finance team to reconcile commissions and validate the accuracy of payout figures.

Evaluate the effectiveness of sales performance management tools and suggest enhancements or new platforms.

Requirements

You must possess proven experience managing incentive compensation or sales operations programs within a professional services environment.

You are expected to demonstrate strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets and draw actionable conclusions.

You must show proficiency in financial modeling and have hands-on experience with dedicated compensation software solutions.

You are required to have the ability to communicate plan mechanics clearly and concisely to non-technical stakeholders.

You must maintain a high level of integrity when consistently handling sensitive financial and personnel information.

You are expected to have a meticulous attention to detail to ensure zero tolerance for errors in commission calculations.

You must be able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic sales operations setting.

You are required to have a strong understanding of compensation compliance and the implications of regulatory oversight.

Skills & tools

You will utilize Advanced Excel skills to build complex formulas and automate data manipulation tasks.

You are expected to have experience with specialized sales performance management platforms.

You must conduct thorough financial data analysis to support decision-making and plan optimization.

You will work with CRM systems to extract, validate, and reconcile sales activity and revenue data.

You are expected to leverage data visualization techniques to present compensation metrics effectively.

You must utilize project management practices to coordinate initiatives across finance, sales, and HR departments.

You are expected to apply problem-solving skills to troubleshoot discrepancies in commission reports.

Practical notes

Betterment is located at 450 West 33rd Street, FL 11, New York, NY 10001. Please submit your application through the official careers portal to be considered for this role.