Director, Compensation Operations

Minneapolis, MN

Job Description

This role leads global compensation operations, ensuring effective administration of annual programs, policies, and processes. It oversees compensation data, analytics, and reporting, driving insights that support strategic decision-making. The position collaborates closely with HR partners and external vendors to ensure accurate execution, compliance, and service quality. It includes managing and developing a team through coaching, delegation, and performance feedback. Additionally, the role contributes to enterprise-wide projects and leads communication and training efforts related to compensation programs.

Responsibilities:

  • Operate in a strong player/coach capacity overseeing the global compensation operations function, including responsibility for the effective administration of annual compensation programs, procedures, policies, and processes; accountability for the management and administration of our compensation data, insights and analytics; and collaborating with compensation leadership team and other key partners across the organization to drive the effective delivery of compensation strategies and objectives.

  • Collaborate with key partners across HR (Payroll, HR Compliance, HR Systems, etc.) to ensure effective execution of critical compensation programs and accuracy of employee data. Continuously work toward increasing efficiencies and develop processes to promote more effective administration of salary changes and other compensation transactions.

  • Oversee the timely creation, analysis, and interpretation of key compensation metrics to ensure accurate tracking, measurement, and reporting on compensation data and programs. Ensure strong data governance is in place. Regularly evaluate trends and identify opportunities to improve compensation programs to more effectively drive value in our investment.

  • Provide leadership, coaching, and development to direct reports; deliver timely feedback/coaching and formal performance review discussions; assess employee professional growth/career opportunities and collaborate on individual development plans.

  • Own and maintain partnerships with key external compensation vendors. Provide vendor oversight to ensure appropriate service levels provided. Ensure that all programs are efficiently and accurately administered in compliance with applicable regulations. Monitor all aspects of ongoing vendor performance.

  • Lead various compensation projects to ensure all operational elements are considered. Represent the compensation team on other special HR and enterprise-wide project initiatives, ensuring that any issues impacting compensation-related items are proactively addressed and solved.

  • Lead the development of effective communication strategies related to new or changed compensation programs, policies, or procedures including the company's annual compensation cycle materials. Develop and review leader and HR partner training.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

  • 7-10 years of relevant experience.

  • 5+ years of experience within Compensation.

  • Current knowledge of Compensation programs, best practices, and regulations.

  • Excellent analytical and project management skills.

  • Ability to collaborate with partners across the organization to drive results.

  • Strong written and verbal communications skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas in a way that is easily comprehended by broader audiences.

  • Tremendous ability to solve business problems and quickly identify creative solutions.

  • People leadership experience and the ability to lead both direct and indirect reports.

  • Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.

  • Demonstrates flexibility.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).

  • Financial services experience.

About Our Company
We're a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of 2024. With our team of more than 20,000 people in 20 countries, we advise, manage and protect assets and income of more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses - Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Base Pay Salary

The estimated base salary for this role is $131,000 - $176,900 / year. We have a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy. Your initial total compensation may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being, including but not limited to vacation time, sick time, 401(k), and health, dental and life insurances.

Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, gender identity, disability, veteran status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full time

Exempt/Non-Exempt

Exempt

Job Family Group

Human Capital

Line of Business

HR Human ResourcesPDN-a05c17b4-e2df-4432-bf28-4a49801e0ef4
This role leads global compensation operations, ensuring effective administration of annual programs, policies, and processes. It oversees compensation data, analytics, and reporting, driving insights that support strategic decision-making. The position collaborates closely with HR partners and external vendors to ensure accurate execution, compliance, and service quality. It includes managing and developing a team through coaching, delegation, and performance feedback. Additionally, the role contributes to enterprise-wide projects and leads communication and training efforts related to compensation programs.

Responsibilities:

  • Operate in a strong player/coach capacity overseeing the global compensation operations function, including responsibility for the effective administration of annual compensation programs, procedures, policies, and processes; accountability for the management and administration of our compensation data, insights and analytics; and collaborating with compensation leadership team and other key partners across the organization to drive the effective delivery of compensation strategies and objectives.

  • Collaborate with key partners across HR (Payroll, HR Compliance, HR Systems, etc.) to ensure effective execution of critical compensation programs and accuracy of employee data. Continuously work toward increasing efficiencies and develop processes to promote more effective administration of salary changes and other compensation transactions.

  • Oversee the timely creation, analysis, and interpretation of key compensation metrics to ensure accurate tracking, measurement, and reporting on compensation data and programs. Ensure strong data governance is in place. Regularly evaluate trends and identify opportunities to improve compensation programs to more effectively drive value in our investment.

  • Provide leadership, coaching, and development to direct reports; deliver timely feedback/coaching and formal performance review discussions; assess employee professional growth/career opportunities and collaborate on individual development plans.

  • Own and maintain partnerships with key external compensation vendors. Provide vendor oversight to ensure appropriate service levels provided. Ensure that all programs are efficiently and accurately administered in compliance with applicable regulations. Monitor all aspects of ongoing vendor performance.

  • Lead various compensation projects to ensure all operational elements are considered. Represent the compensation team on other special HR and enterprise-wide project initiatives, ensuring that any issues impacting compensation-related items are proactively addressed and solved.

  • Lead the development of effective communication strategies related to new or changed compensation programs, policies, or procedures including the company's annual compensation cycle materials. Develop and review leader and HR partner training.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

  • 7-10 years of relevant experience.

  • 5+ years of experience within Compensation.

  • Current knowledge of Compensation programs, best practices, and regulations.

  • Excellent analytical and project management skills.

  • Ability to collaborate with partners across the organization to drive results.

  • Strong written and verbal communications skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas in a way that is easily comprehended by broader audiences.

  • Tremendous ability to solve business problems and quickly identify creative solutions.

  • People leadership experience and the ability to lead both direct and indirect reports.

  • Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.

  • Demonstrates flexibility.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).

  • Financial services experience.

About Our Company
We're a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of 2024. With our team of more than 20,000 people in 20 countries, we advise, manage and protect assets and income of more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses - Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Base Pay Salary

The estimated base salary for this role is $131,000 - $176,900 / year. We have a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy. Your initial total compensation may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being, including but not limited to vacation time, sick time, 401(k), and health, dental and life insurances.

Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, gender identity, disability, veteran status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full time

Exempt/Non-Exempt

Exempt

Job Family Group

Human Capital

Line of Business

HR Human ResourcesPDN-a05c17b4-e2df-4432-bf28-4a49801e0ef4

About Ameriprise Financial

For 125 years, we have remained true to our vision of putting our clients' interests first. We are passionate about helping you live the full and rich life you’ve earned and committed to helping you be brilliant.

A company with integrity.

Integrity has been a core value since we were founded by John Tappan in 1894. It's how, through panics, recessions, the Great Depression, and the recent Great Recession, we've grown into a global financial leader. We've never lost our focus on our clients. That's who we are.

  • We have more than $875 billion in assets under management and administration.

  • We maintain leadership positions in each of our core business segments: Advice & Wealth Management, Asset Management, Annuities, and Protection.

  • We have more than 2 million individual, business, and institutional clients.

Our Leaders

Part of our strength as a company comes from the strength of our leadership—an experienced and long-tenured team.

Our Locations

Ameriprise Financial was founded and is headquartered in Minneapolis. We also have corporate offices throughout the United States and across the globe, including New York, Boston, London, and India.

Our History

Since 1894, we at Ameriprise Financial have been helping millions of clients invest towards their financial goals and dreams.

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Director, Compensation Operations
Ameriprise Financial
Minneapolis, MN
Nov 15, 2025
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