Senior Manager, Executive Compensation (Durham, NC)

Job Overview:

The Executive Compensation Senior Manager is responsible for supporting the design, administration, analysis, and governance of executive compensation programs, including base salary, short‑term incentives, and long‑term incentives. The role partners with internal specialists and external consultants to perform complex analysis, develop recommendations, ensure compliance, and support key deliverables for senior leadership and the Compensation Committee. This position requires deep subject‑matter expertise, analytical rigor, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across the organization.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Program Design & Administration

• Support the design, modeling, and assessment of executive compensation programs that align with competitiveness, performance, and company strategy.
• Administer annual and off‑cycle executive compensation processes, including market benchmarking, salary proposals, and incentive calculations.
• Conduct sophisticated compensation analyses, including market studies, competitive assessments, and program modeling.

Governance, Reporting & Compliance

• Prepare high‑quality materials and analysis for senior executives, HR leadership, and the Compensation Committee of the Board.
• Assist in the development of regulatory and public disclosure content, including sections of the CD&A and executive compensation tables for the proxy.
• Partner with Legal, Accounting, Tax, Audit, and external advisors to ensure compliance with regulatory, tax, and governance requirements.
• Monitor evolving regulatory and proxy-advisor expectations (e.g., ISS, Glass Lewis) and summarize implications for internal stakeholders.

Equity & Program Administration

• Perform equity plan administration activities, ensuring accurate execution of grants, vesting, and data integrity in collaboration with external equity administration vendors (e.g., Fidelity).
• Support administration and analysis for non-qualified deferred compensation programs.

Analysis & Insights

• Conduct modeling and scenario analysis for executive offers, promotion packages, termination arrangements, and performance award outcomes.
• Support compensation-related due diligence and integration activities for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational changes.
• Develop clear, concise communication materials to explain program structures and compensation outcomes.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner closely with HR Business Partners, Finance, Legal, and other internal stakeholders to support executive compensation decision‑making.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert and a trusted resource to HR colleagues on executive compensation practices and policies.
• Collaborate with Total Rewards colleagues on broader compensation and year‑end processes.

Other Responsibilities

• Support enterprise-wide compensation projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Perform ad hoc analysis and special projects as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance or other relevant fields.
• Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience and successful project outcomes in lieu of educational requirements.
• Strong technical knowledge of executive compensation programs, including salary, bonus, long‑term incentives, and equity structures.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with cross‑functional stakeholders.

Experience (Minimum Required):  

• Minimum five+ years of compensation experience, with exposure to executive and/or equity programs in a global or publicly traded organization.

Pay Range: $125,000-$145,000 (The range does not include benefits, and if applicable, bonus, commission, or equity)

Benefits: All job offers will be based on a candidate’s skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data. Regular, full-time or part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(K), ESPP, Paid time off (PTO) or Flexible time off (FTO), and Company bonus where applicable. For more detailed information, please click here.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.

• This role requires candidates to reside within a commutable distance of our Durham, NC headquarters and to be able to visit the location on an as‑needed basis.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently stationary for 6-8 hours per day.

• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.

• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.

• Light to moderate lifting and carrying, or moving of objects, including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2026

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Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.